How To Fix M7204 - Difference posting for empties occurs on the basis of unit of issue

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M7 - Inventory Management and Physical Inventory

• Message number: 204

• Message text: Difference posting for empties occurs on the basis of unit of issue

What causes this issue?

You have carried out a difference posting for a full product.

System Response

<DS:GLOS.empties>Settlement of empties</> is carried out on the basis
of the full product's unit of issue.

How to fix this error?

The base quantity is the quantity of the full product in units. To post
differences for the empties material belonging to it, the system
determines the share of the full product's unit of issue in whole
numbers and processes the rest on the basis of the base unit of
measure.
Example:
Unit of issue ,,1 case of beer ,,BOM : 20 bottles, 1 case
Base unit of measure,,1 bottle of beer BOM : 1 bottle
The system determines a difference of 46 bottles of beer.
The difference posting for the empties is now divided:
46 / 20 = 2 with 6 remaining.
The following differences are posted:
2 empty cases
2*20 = 40 empty bottles
6 empty bottles

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

The difference quantity is only divided as it is above if the
conversion factor of the base unit of measure into the issue unit of
the full product is not less then 1.
Example:
The article lemonade is managed in the base unit of measure 1 bottle,
the issue unit is 1 glass (bar);
Conversion: 3 glasses are equal to one bottle, the upper conversion
factor is therefore 1/3.
In this case, it is not divided.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M7204 - Difference posting for empties occurs on the basis of unit of issue ?

  The SAP error message M7204, which states "Difference posting for empties occurs on the basis of unit of issue," typically arises in the context of inventory management and handling of empty containers or returnable packaging. This error indicates that there is a discrepancy in the handling of empty containers, particularly when the system is trying to post a difference in inventory based on the unit of issue.
  
  Cause:
  
  
  Unit of Measure Issues: The error often occurs when there is a mismatch between the unit of measure (UoM) used for the empty containers and the unit of measure used for the inventory posting. For example, if the system expects postings in pieces but the transaction is being processed in a different unit (like pallets or crates), this can lead to discrepancies.
  
  
  Configuration Settings: Incorrect configuration in the material master data or in the settings for handling returnable packaging can also lead to this error.