In SAP, movement types are crucial in the Material Management (MM) module. They are used to represent the physical movement of goods—whether they are being received, issued, transferred, or returned. Movement types help manage stock levels, track inventory changes, and update financial accounts based on the type of transaction.
Movement types are a two- or three-digit code that represents a specific type of stock movement. Each movement type is associated with specific business processes and has different effects on stock quantity and valuation in inventory.
In this article, we’ll explore the significance of movement types, how they are used in various scenarios, and provide a detailed table of all SAP movement types.
What are SAP Movement Types?
A Movement Type in SAP defines the nature of a goods movement, such as goods receipt, goods issue, stock transfer, or physical stock adjustments. Every time goods are moved from one location to another or even when they are received or issued, a movement type is assigned to the transaction.
The movement type affects several factors:
- Stock Quantity: Whether the stock level increases, decreases, or stays the same.
- Stock Valuation: If and how the value of stock is affected in financial terms.
- Material Document: Movement types are recorded in material documents for traceability.
- Accounting Document: Movement types also create financial documents when stock affects the company’s balance sheet.
Common Scenarios for SAP Movement Types
- Goods Receipt (GR): When materials are received from a vendor or production.
- Goods Issue (GI): When materials are withdrawn from stock for consumption or delivery.
- Stock Transfer: Moving goods between storage locations, plants, or warehouses.
- Return of Goods: When materials are returned to the vendor or customer.
- Physical Inventory Adjustment: Stock correction following physical inventory checks.
How SAP Movement Types Work
Whenever a material document is created for a goods movement, SAP requires the movement type to be entered. This ensures that SAP knows how to process the transaction, what stock to update, and whether any financial postings are necessary.
Movement types can also control:
- Which stock types are affected (e.g., unrestricted-use stock, blocked stock).
- Which valuation areas are impacted (e.g., raw materials, finished goods).
- Which document types are triggered (e.g., material documents, accounting documents).
Table of SAP Movement Types
Here’s a comprehensive table listing the most commonly used SAP movement types along with their descriptions:
| Movement Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 101 | Goods Receipt for Purchase Order |
| 102 | Goods Receipt Reversal (PO) |
| 103 | Goods Receipt for PO into GR Blocked Stock |
| 105 | Release from GR Blocked Stock |
| 122 | Return Delivery to Vendor |
| 161 | Return Delivery to Vendor (for Purchase Order) |
| 201 | Goods Issue for Cost Center |
| 231 | Goods Issue for Project |
| 261 | Goods Issue for Order |
| 301 | Stock Transfer (Plant to Plant) |
| 311 | Stock Transfer (Storage Location to Storage Location) |
| 315 | Stock Transfer from GR Blocked Stock to Unrestricted Stock |
| 321 | Transfer from Quality Inspection to Unrestricted Use |
| 331 | Physical Inventory (Minus Posting) |
| 333 | Physical Inventory (Plus Posting) |
| 349 | Transfer from Blocked to Unrestricted Stock |
| 411 | Transfer to Unrestricted Use |
| 451 | Returns from Customer |
| 453 | Goods Receipt from Customer Returns |
| 501 | Receipt without Purchase Order |
| 531 | Goods Receipt from Production |
| 601 | Goods Issue for Delivery |
| 641 | Stock Transfer for Delivery |
| 701 | Inventory Difference – Unrestricted Stock |
| 702 | Inventory Difference – Quality Inspection Stock |
| 703 | Inventory Difference – Blocked Stock |
Frequently Used Movement Types Explained
- 101: Goods Receipt for Purchase Order
This is the most common movement type used when materials are received from a vendor based on a purchase order. It increases the stock level in inventory and updates the financial accounts for the goods received. - 201: Goods Issue for Cost Center
Used when materials are issued to a cost center for internal consumption, this movement type reduces the stock level and posts the financial cost against the specified cost center. - 301: Stock Transfer (Plant to Plant)
This movement type is used when goods are transferred between plants. It creates an outbound stock movement from the issuing plant and an inbound stock movement at the receiving plant. - 601: Goods Issue for Delivery
Used during the delivery of goods to a customer, this movement type reduces the available stock and updates the financial accounts to record the sales transaction. - 701/702/703: Inventory Differences
These movement types are used to record stock discrepancies found during a physical inventory count, adjusting stock levels in the system to match actual stock.
Conclusion
Movement types in SAP play a pivotal role in managing goods movements and ensuring that inventory levels and financial records stay accurate. Understanding and correctly using these movement types helps businesses maintain control over their material stocks and ensure proper accounting.
Whether you’re processing goods receipts, issuing stock for production, or adjusting inventory levels after a count, knowing the correct movement type for each situation is essential for accurate SAP transactions.