How To Fix VA164 - Item category & is a free of charge item used in copy control.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VA - Output for CAS Sales Activities

• Message number: 164

• Message text: Item category & is a free of charge item used in copy control.

What causes this issue?

You are removing an item category for a free of charge item. This item
category might be needed if free of charge items are used in sales
inquiries, sales quotations, sales contracts, or sales orders.
Please note: If you remove an item category for a free of charge item
for sales orders or sales quotations, and you use copy control, any item
that is free of charge in your preceding documents is replaced by the
default item category in the sales order or sales quotation.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VA164 - Item category & is a free of charge item used in copy control. ?

  The SAP error message VA164 indicates that there is an issue with the item category in the sales document, specifically that the item category is defined as a free-of-charge item in the copy control settings. This typically occurs when you are trying to copy data from one document to another (e.g., from a sales order to a delivery or invoice) and the system is unable to process the item correctly due to its configuration.
  Cause:
  
  Item Category Configuration: The item category in question is set up as a free-of-charge item, which may not be compatible with the document type you are trying to copy to.
  Copy Control Settings: The copy control settings between the source and target document types may not be configured correctly to handle free-of-charge items.
  Missing or Incorrect Data: There may be missing or incorrect data in the source document that is causing the system to reject the item.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Item Category Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for item categories in the SAP system (Transaction code: VOV4).
  Verify that the item category is correctly defined as a free-of-charge item and that it is appropriate for the document type you are working with.
  
  
  
  Review Copy Control Settings:
  
  Check the copy control settings between the relevant document types (Transaction code: VTLA for sales order to delivery, VTFA for sales order to billing).
  Ensure that the settings for the item category in question allow for the copying of free-of-charge items.
  
  
  
  Adjust Document Data:
  
  Review the source document to ensure that all required fields are filled out correctly and that there are no inconsistencies.
  If necessary, create a new document without the free-of-charge item to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed information on item categories and copy control settings.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the process again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Item Categories: In SAP, item categories determine how items are processed in sales documents. They control various aspects such as pricing, billing, and delivery.
  Copy Control: This is a mechanism in SAP that allows data to be copied from one document to another, and it is essential for ensuring that the correct data flows through the sales and distribution process.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as VOV4 (for item category configuration) and VTFA/VTLA (for copy control settings) to troubleshoot effectively.
  
  If the issue persists after checking these areas, it may be beneficial to consult with an SAP functional consultant or your organization's SAP support team for further assistance.