How To Fix WG046 - Supplier & entered = supplying plant &. This is not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WG - Messages for store order and investment buy

• Message number: 046

• Message text: Supplier & entered = supplying plant &. This is not allowed

What causes this issue?

The specified supplier & is not an external supplier.
Purchase orders for goods receipts may only be created if the supplier
is an external supplier.

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 why the purchase order does not already exist in the supplying
plant.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WG046 - Supplier & entered = supplying plant &. This is not allowed ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WG046 - Supplier & entered = supplying plant &. This is not allowed
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when the supplier entered in a purchasing document (such as a Purchase Order or Scheduling Agreement) is the same as the supplying plant. In SAP, the system does not allow the supplier and the supplying plant to be identical because it contradicts the business logic of procurement processes. Typically, the supplier is an external vendor, while the supplying plant is an internal plant that supplies materials.
  In other words, the system expects that the supplier is a vendor (external party), and the supplying plant is an internal plant. If both are the same, it indicates a configuration or master data issue.
  
  When does it occur?
  
  When creating or changing a purchasing document (PO, scheduling agreement, etc.) where the supplier number entered is the same as the supplying plant number.
  When the vendor master and plant master data are incorrectly maintained or mixed up.
  When the system tries to process a procurement transaction that logically cannot happen (a plant cannot be its own supplier).
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Vendor and Plant Master Data:
  
  Verify that the vendor number entered in the purchasing document is a valid vendor and not a plant.
  Check the vendor master (transaction XK03) and plant master (transaction OX10 or MM01/MM02) to ensure they are correctly maintained and distinct.
  
  
  
  Correct the Supplier Number:
  
  Enter the correct vendor number that supplies the material.
  If the intention is to perform a stock transfer or inter-plant movement, use the appropriate transaction and process (e.g., stock transport order) instead of a purchase order with the same supplier and plant.
  
  
  
  Review Procurement Process:
  
  If the procurement is internal (within the company), use inter-plant stock transfer processes rather than external procurement.
  If the supplier is external, ensure the supplier number corresponds to a vendor master record.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  In some cases, the error may arise due to incorrect configuration in the plant/vendor assignment or partner determination.
  Review the configuration in IMG under Materials Management > Purchasing > Vendor Master > Assign Vendor to Purchasing Organization.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  Message Class: WG (Purchasing)
  Message Number: 046
  This error is a standard SAP validation to prevent illogical procurement scenarios.
  If you are trying to model internal procurement, consider using stock transport orders (STO) instead of purchase orders with the same plant as supplier.
  If you have a scenario where a plant acts as a supplier (e.g., subcontracting or inter-company scenarios), ensure the correct vendor number is maintained for that plant in the vendor master.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Supplier number entered is the same as the supplying plant number.
  
  
  Effect
  Procurement document creation/change is blocked with error WG046.
  
  
  Solution
  Use a valid vendor number different from the plant; use stock transport orders for internal transfers.
  
  
  Check
  Vendor master data, plant master data, procurement process, and configuration.
  
  
  
  
  If you need further help, please provide the transaction code and document type where the error occurs, and details about the vendor and plant numbers used.