Two-Step Plant-to-Plant Transfer: Removal (303) and Placement (305)
A plant transfer in two postings: 303 removes the stock from the issuing plant into stock in transfer of the receiving plant, and 305 places it into the receiving storage location when it physically arrives. Compare with the one-step 301 and with a stock transport order.
Educational content. SAP behaviour varies by configuration and release. Spotted something off? Report it.
Digital twin
01One step or two?
The goods will be on the road for a day. How should the transfer be posted?
Business scenario
Plant 1000 sends 100 EA of RM-1000 to plant 1100 (same company code) by its own truck. The trip takes a day, so the plants want the stock visible as 'on the way'.
All companies, numbers and documents are fictional demo data.
Step-by-step flow
- 01
One step or two? open in twin
The goods will be on the road for a day. How should the transfer be posted?
With two steps, the system matches the physical situation while the goods travel.
- 02
Stock arrives before the truck open in twin
301 books the stock into plant 1100 at once. For a day the system shows stock there that nobody can find.
For longer journeys the receiving plant would be planning with stock that is not there yet.
- 03
Removal from plant 1000 (303) open in twin
303: plant 1000 500 → 400 EA; stock in transfer of plant 1100 +100. Value moves to plant 1100.
Stock in transfer is held at plant level for the receiving plant, with no storage location yet.
- 04
On the road open in twin
The truck drives to plant 1100. The stock is visible as 'in transfer' (MB5T / stock overview).
Stock in transfer is not available for consumption in either plant.
- 05
Placement in plant 1100 (305) open in twin
305: stock in transfer −100; plant 1100 / 0001 50 → 150 EA. No accounting document.
The value already moved at 303, so 305 changes only location and availability.
- 06
Transfer complete open in twin
303 → transport → 305. The journey was visible the whole time.
Use an STO instead when you need delivery documents, shipping and planning integration.
SAP documents
Stock impact
| Step | Plant / SLoc | Stock type | MvT | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removal from plant 1000 (303) | 1000 / 0001 | Unrestricted use | 303 | −100 EA |
| Removal from plant 1000 (303) | 1100 | Stock in transfer (plant) | 303 | +100 EA |
| Placement in plant 1100 (305) | 1100 | Stock in transfer (plant) | 305 | −100 EA |
| Placement in plant 1100 (305) | 1100 / 0001 | Unrestricted use | 305 | +100 EA |
Accounting impact
Removal for a two-step plant transfer
TypicalRemoval from plant 1000 (303)
- Dr Inventory — plant 1100 (in transfer) (BSX)₹1,00,000
- Cr Inventory — plant 1000 (BSX)₹1,00,000
The plants are separate valuation areas, so the value moves from plant 1000's inventory to plant 1100's stock in transfer at removal. With different prices in the two plants, a difference would arise here — configuration and price control dependent.
Typical conceptual flow. Actual G/L accounts and posting behaviour depend on material valuation, automatic account determination and system configuration.
Movement type
- 303Removal plant to plant (two-step)Reversal: 304
- 305Placement in storage plant to plantReversal: 306
Moves stock between plants of one company code in two postings so the stock is visible while it travels.
Transactions & Fiori apps
- MIGO — Transfer posting
- MB5T — Stock in transit / in transfer
- MMBE — Stock overview
- Transfer Stock — Cross-PlantAvailability depends on release and scope
Differences by SAP version
MB1B/MIGO for 303/305; MB5T for stock in transfer.
MIGO and Fiori apps; same movement types.
Cross-plant transfers through Fiori apps.
Configuration
Valuation level
Configuration dependentWith valuation at plant level the plants are separate valuation areas, so 303 posts a value transfer.
Prerequisites
- Material extended to both plants
- Receiving storage location
Master data
- Material master in both plants
- Valuation price in each plant.
Organizational structure
- Company code 1000
- Plants 1000 and 1100
Tables
| Table | Description |
|---|---|
| MARC | Stock in transfer is held at plant level |
| MATDOC | 303 and 305 |
Integration
- FIValue moves between valuation areas at 303.
Common errors
“Stock 'missing' between plants”
Likely causes: 303 posted, 305 not yet posted
Where to look: MB5T · Stock overview of the receiving plant
Troubleshooting
Something went wrong? Work through these checks in order. They are diagnostic questions, not configuration instructions — confirm changes with your system owner.
CHECK 1
In transfer
- Was 305 posted?
- Check MB5T
Interview questions
Compare 301, 303/305 and an STO.
301 transfers plant to plant in one posting. 303 removes into stock in transfer of the receiving plant and 305 places it, so the journey is visible. An STO adds a purchase-order document, delivery, shipping and MRP integration, with stock in transit (641/101).
Quiz
References
- SAP SE — SAP Help Portal: Stock Transfer Between Plants (source)
- SAP SE — SAP Help Portal: Two-Step Transfer Posting (source)
Explanations are original. They summarize standard behaviour; always validate against your system's release and configuration.
Version history
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | Initial version. |