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8 Steps to Receive an Inventory on Shopify

Sam|
November 26, 2024|
4 min read

Is your Shopify inventory a constant source of confusion and frustration? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the simple yet crucial process of receiving inventory on Shopify, empowering you to maintain a well-organized and profitable online store. Continue your reading to unlock the secrets of streamlined inventory management!

How to receive an inventory on Shopify

Step 1: Access Transfers section

  • Log into your Shopify admin.
  • Go to Products > Transfers.
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Step 2: Select the Transfer

  • Click on the transfer for which you want to receive inventory.
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Step 3: Start Receiving

  • Click the Receive Inventory button.
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Step 4: Enter Quantities

For each product/variant, you need to edit the following information:

  • Enter the quantity received.
  • Click Save to confirm.
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Step 5: Bulk Actions (optional)

  • If all items match the expected quantity, you can use “Accept all unreceived”
  • If all remaining items are damaged/unusable, use “Reject all unreceived”
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Step 6: Save & Archive

  • Click the Save button to update your inventory.
  • Once everything is received, click Archive to close the transfer.

Note:

  • Inventory tracking must be enabled for the products in the transfer.
  • Received items will increase the available inventory at the destination location.
  • Rejected items will not affect inventory levels.
  • Archiving a transfer helps keep your Transfers page organized.

Troubleshooting guide

In case you encounter some bugs or issues while receiving an inventory on Shopify, please follow our troubleshooting guide below for effective solutions:

Transfer Not Showing Up:

  • Check Status: Double-check the transfer’s status; it might still be “Pending” or “In Transit.” I once panicked thinking a transfer was lost, but it simply hadn’t arrived at my warehouse yet!
  • Correct Location: Ensure you’re looking at the correct location’s inventory in the Shopify admin. I once had a transfer go to my secondary location by mistake, causing a brief moment of confusion.

Can’t Edit Received Quantities After Saving:

  • Shopify Limitation: Unfortunately, Shopify doesn’t allow editing once a transfer is received and saved. I learned this the hard way after accidentally marking everything as received.
  • Workaround: If it’s a minor error, you can manually adjust inventory levels or create a new transfer to correct it. For bigger mistakes, reach out to Shopify Support; they might be able to help in some cases.

Discrepancies in Received vs. Expected Quantities:

  • Count Carefully: Human error happens! Always double-check your physical count against the transfer details. I’ve had suppliers mispack items before, so counting is crucial.
  • Contact Supplier: If there’s a genuine discrepancy, contact the supplier ASAP. Most are helpful in resolving these issues, especially if you have proof (photos, etc.).

Inventory Not Updating on Product Pages:

  • Cache Issue: Sometimes Shopify’s cache needs a nudge. Try hard-refreshing the page (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R) to see if that updates the inventory display.
  • App Conflicts: If you use inventory management apps, ensure they’re syncing correctly with Shopify. I once had an app glitch that prevented updates from showing until I reconnected it.

FAQs

Yes, you can partially receive a transfer if only some of the items have arrived or if some are damaged. Simply enter the actual received quantity for each product.


The available quantity of the accepted items will be added to your inventory at the designated location.


You can track the status of your transfer on the “Transfers” page in your Shopify admin. You’ll see updates like “In transit” or “Received.”


You can adjust the received quantity in the transfer to reflect the actual count. If there’s a significant discrepancy, contact your supplier to resolve the issue.


Yes, you can use the Shopify mobile app to receive inventory transfers, making it convenient to update your stock levels on the go.

In conclusion

With our guide on receiving inventory on Shopify, you can ensure accurate stock levels and a seamless fulfillment process, which ultimately leads to customer satisfaction. Have you encountered any challenges or developed best practices when receiving inventory in your Shopify store? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

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Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.

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