How To Fix W6003 - Material type & of material & is not defined for empties

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W6 - Messages for Empties Stock Overview

• Message number: 003

• Message text: Material type & of material & is not defined for empties

What causes this issue?

Material types for empties have a special indicator allowing them to be
recognized as material types relevant for empties. The material type of
the material you entered does not have this special indicator.

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?

Check if the material concerned is an empties material. If it is, check
that the settings made for the material type are correct.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W6003 - Material type & of material & is not defined for empties ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  W6003 - Material type & of material & is not defined for empties
  
  Cause:
  This warning message occurs when you try to process a material (e.g., during goods movement, inventory management, or production) that is assigned a material type which has not been configured or allowed for handling "empties" (i.e., packaging materials, containers, or reusable packaging).
  In SAP, "empties" refer to packaging materials or containers that are managed separately from regular materials. The system requires that material types used for empties be explicitly defined in customizing to ensure proper handling.
  If the material type of the material you are processing is not maintained in the customizing table for empties, the system issues this warning.
  
  Where it happens:
  
  During goods receipt or goods issue involving empties.
  When using packaging material management.
  In inventory transactions involving packaging materials.
  Possibly during production or delivery processes involving empties.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Material Type Configuration for Empties:
  
  Go to SAP Customizing Implementation Guide (IMG):
  SPRO -> Logistics Execution -> Packaging -> Basic Settings -> Define Material Types for Empties
  
  Alternatively, the IMG path might be:
  Logistics Execution -> Packaging -> Basic Settings -> Define Material Types for Empties
  
  Here, you need to maintain the material types that are allowed to be used as empties.
  
  
  
  Add the Material Type:
  
  Add the material type of the material you are processing to the list of material types defined for empties.
  Save the configuration.
  
  
  
  Check Material Master:
  
  Verify that the material is correctly flagged or categorized as an empty (packaging material).
  Check the material master record (transaction MM03) under the relevant views (e.g., Basic Data, Purchasing, or Warehouse Management) to ensure it is set up correctly.
  
  
  
  Reprocess the Transaction:
  
  After configuration, retry the transaction that caused the warning.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  This message is a warning (W), not an error, so the system may allow the transaction to proceed but warns you that the material type is not officially defined for empties.
  Proper configuration ensures correct handling of packaging materials in inventory and logistics processes.
  If you do not use packaging materials or empties in your process, you might want to check why the system is treating the material as an empty.
  Sometimes, this message can appear if the material master is incorrectly flagged or if the process involves packaging materials without proper setup.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Message
  W6003 - Material type & of material & is not defined for empties
  
  
  Cause
  Material type is not maintained in customizing as allowed for empties (packaging materials)
  
  
  Solution
  Maintain the material type in the customizing path for empties (Packaging -> Basic Settings)
  
  
  Transaction
  Occurs during goods movement, inventory, or packaging material handling
  
  
  Note
  Warning message; system may allow processing but recommends configuration correction
  
  
  
  
  If you need the exact IMG path or transaction codes, or if you want me to guide you through the configuration steps, please let me know!