Handling Unit Definition

A handling unit refers to any packaging structure and anything contained therein. It is uniquely identifiable and has become an integral part of warehouse management. Besides, you can track your cargo transportation as one hauling entity or handle each item individually.

Handling units are highly versatile and can be used at any point of the supply chain, right from the manufacturing plant to the final client. Suffice to say, these entities enhance productivity, stock inventory management, and shipping accuracy.

Features of a Handling Unit

Generally, a handling unit (HU) contains the freight identification, quality, and the individual item list (mostly when serial numbers are involved).

These units also have specific identification numbers which are generated according to the existing standards. A standard HU also encompasses the inventory information and management procedures of all the items it contains.

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Importance of a Handling Unit

It helps in eliminating errors in a handling unit, packages are combined into one entity and nested together. While each piece has a unique label, the entire unit also contains a parent label to facilitate the movement of these pieces in the unit with a single scan.

To Facilitate Easy Tracking of the Stock Movement - Managing a handling unit inside a warehouse is smooth, easy and quick, and leaves no room for mistakes. All a picker needs to know is the exact shipping destination for the handling unit.

Enhances Traceability

Applying the SAP system enables the handling unit team to record the history of the entire unit down to the individual items. This makes it easy for managers to review and analyze such integral records, such as item receipts, batch numbers, and bin-to-bin transportation. This information is reviewed in two separate warehouses and will also be reviewed again by the ultimate end-user upon arrival at their designated destination.