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. This includes settings related to the handling of empties, such as how they are tracked and posted in the system.
  
  
  Inventory Differences: If there are differences in the inventory counts for the empty containers, especially if they are being handled in different units of measure, this can trigger the error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Unit of Measure: Ensure that the unit of measure for the empty containers is correctly defined in the material master. Verify that the unit of issue matches the unit of measure used in the transaction.
  
  
  Review Configuration: Check the configuration settings for returnable packaging and empty containers in the SAP system. Ensure that the settings align with the business processes and that they are correctly set up to handle differences in inventory.
  
  
  Inventory Reconciliation: Perform an inventory reconciliation to ensure that the counts for empty containers are accurate. If discrepancies are found, they should be resolved before attempting to post any differences.
  
  
  Transaction Review: Review the specific transaction that triggered the error. Ensure that all relevant data is correctly entered and that there are no inconsistencies in the posting.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on handling empty containers and the related configuration settings.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Material Master Data: Review the material master data for the empty containers to ensure that all relevant fields are correctly filled out, including the unit of measure and any relevant settings for handling empties.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to error M7204, as there may be specific patches or updates that address known issues.
  
  
  User Exits and BAdIs: If custom logic is implemented in the system, review any user exits or Business Add-Ins (BAdIs) that may affect the handling of empty containers.
  
  
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that users involved in inventory management are trained on the correct processes for handling empty containers and that they have access to relevant documentation.
  
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and following the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the M7204 error in SAP.