06538 - Special procurement type & does not allow a supplier

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 06 -

• Message number: 538

• Message text: Special procurement type & does not allow a supplier

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 06538 - Special procurement type & does not allow a supplier ?

  The SAP error message "06538 Special procurement type & does not allow a supplier" typically occurs when you are trying to create or modify a material master record or a purchasing document (like a purchase order) that involves a special procurement type that does not permit the assignment of a supplier.
  Cause:
  This error is usually caused by one of the following reasons:
  
  
  Special Procurement Type Configuration: The special procurement type assigned to the material does not allow for a supplier to be linked. This can happen if the procurement type is set to a specific configuration that restricts supplier assignment (e.g., consignment, subcontracting, etc.).
  
  
  Material Master Settings: The material master record may have been set up incorrectly, or the procurement type may not be compatible with the supplier you are trying to use.
  
  
  Purchasing Info Record: There may be an issue with the purchasing info record for the material and supplier combination, which could lead to this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Special Procurement Type:
  
  Go to the material master record (transaction code MM03) and check the special procurement type assigned to the material.
  Ensure that the special procurement type allows for supplier assignment. If it does not, you may need to change the procurement type or adjust the material's settings.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Data:
  
  Verify the material master data for the relevant views (especially the purchasing view) to ensure that all necessary fields are correctly filled out.
  If the material is meant to be procured from a supplier, ensure that the procurement type is set to a standard type that allows supplier assignment.
  
  
  
  Check Purchasing Info Records:
  
  Use transaction code ME11 or ME12 to check the purchasing info record for the material and supplier combination. Ensure that it is correctly set up and that the supplier is valid for the special procurement type.
  
  
  
  Consult Configuration:
  
  If you have access to the configuration settings, check the settings for special procurement types in the SPRO transaction (IMG) under Materials Management. Ensure that the configuration aligns with your business requirements.
  
  
  
  Consult with SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP documentation for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  MM03: Display Material Master
  ME11: Create Purchasing Info Record
  ME12: Change Purchasing Info Record
  SPRO: Customizing Implementation Guide
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help Portal for detailed documentation on material master data and special procurement types.
  
  
  User Exits and BAdIs: If custom logic is involved, check for any user exits or BAdIs that might be affecting the procurement process.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.