What This Document Covers: 

This checklist covers every critical step required to safely and accurately process an inbound vehicle from arrival to release.

Includes:

• Gate booking verification

• Dock/yard slot allocation

• Vehicle immobilisation checks

• Dock leveller inspection

• Documentation verification

• PPE confirmation

• Scanning and verification

• Damage/discrepancy logging

• WMS receipting

• Paperwork sign off

• Vehicle release

Why The Document Matters:

Operational Pain Points:

This checklist solves:

• Unsafe vehicle movement in the yard

• Dock leveller hazards

• Incorrect documentation checks

• Unverified quantities causing stock loss

• Damaged goods entering sellable inventory

• Vehicles leaving before WMS confirmation

• Inconsistent inbound processes across shifts

Full Procedure:

• Verify booking reference at gate

• Direct vehicle to correct dock/yard slot

• Apply handbrake

• Fit wheel chocks

• Lower trailer stabiliser legs (if applicable)

• Engage vehicle restraint system

• Inspect dock leveller

• Check delivery note against ASN/PO

• Confirm PPE for all operatives

• Scan and verify all items

• Log damage/discrepancies

• Receipt goods in WMS

• Sign paperwork

• Remove restraints and confirm area clear

• Release vehicle

Who This Document Is For:

• Goods In Operatives

• Yard Marshals

• Warehouse Supervisors

• Dock Staff

• Forklift Operators

• 3PL inbound teams

• New starters

How This SOP Integrates With WMS:

• Scanning aligns with WMS goods receipt screens

• ASN/PO verification prevents mismatches

• WMS receipt (GRN) required before vehicle release

• Discrepancy logging maps to WMS damage codes

• Ensures putaway accuracy by validating inbound data

Real World Errors This SOP Prevents:

• Vehicles entering docks without immobilisation

• Wrong dock allocation causing congestion

• ASN mismatches

• Unscanned items entering stock

• Damaged goods booked as sellable

• Vehicles leaving before WMS confirmation

Frequently Searched Operational Questions:

1. How do I safely process inbound vehicles?

Problem: Unsafe arrivals cause yard incidents.

Cause: No immobilisation checks.

Solution: This checklist enforces handbrake, chocks, stabilisers, restraints.

2. How do I prevent receiving errors?

Problem: Wrong quantities booked.

Cause: Items not scanned.

Solution: Checklist mandates full scan verification.

3. How do I stop damaged goods entering stock?

Problem: Damage logged too late.

Cause: No real time inspection.

Solution: Checklist requires immediate damage/discrepancy logging.

4. How do I reduce dock congestion?

Problem: Vehicles queued incorrectly.

Cause: No dock allocation process.

Solution: Checklist includes dock/yard slot allocation.

5. How do I ensure ASN accuracy?

Problem: Mismatches cause stock loss.

Cause: Documentation not checked early.

Solution: Checklist requires ASN/PO verification before unloading.

6. How do I improve WMS receiving accuracy?

Problem: Wrong SKUs booked.

Cause: Manual entry errors.

Solution: Checklist mandates scanning before WMS receipt.

7. How do I reduce vehicle turnaround time?

Problem: Slow unloading.

Cause: No structured workflow.

Solution: Checklist provides a step by step inbound process.

Related SOPs & Documents

• Inbound Operations – Vehicle Arrival SOP

• Inbound Operations: Driver Sign In Form

• Inbound Operations: Discrepancy & Damage Form

• Inbound Operations: Supervisor Audit Form