What This Document Covers:

This SOP covers the full inbound vehicle arrival workflow. 

Includes:

• Gatehouse check in and booking verification

• Dock/yard slot allocation

• Vehicle immobilisation (handbrake, chocks, restraints)

• Dock leveller inspection

• Documentation checks (ASN/PO)

• Controlled unloading sequence

• Scanning and verification

• Damage inspection and quarantine

• WMS receipting

• Paperwork sign off

• Vehicle release

Why This Document Matters:

Operational Pain Points: 

This SOP eliminates: 

• Inconsistent driver check in

• Unsafe trailer entry

• ASN/PO mismatches

• Damaged goods entering sellable stock

• Unverified quantities causing stock loss

• Vehicles leaving before WMS confirmation

Full Procedure:

• Driver arrives and presents ID + booking reference

• Gatehouse verifies booking

• Yard marshal allocates dock/yard slot

• Vehicle immobilised (handbrake, chocks, stabilisers, restraints)

• Dock leveller inspected

• Documentation checked against ASN/PO

• PPE confirmed

• Controlled unloading begins

• Every item scanned and verified

• Damage quarantined and logged

• WMS receipt confirmed (GRN generated)

• Paperwork signed

• Vehicle released safely

Who This Document Is For:

• Warehouse Supervisors

• Goods In Operatives

• Yard Marshals

• Forklift Operators

• Health & Safety Officers

• 3PL partners

• New starters

How This SOP Integrates With WMS:

• ASN reference captured before unloading

• WMS blocks put away until receipt confirmed

• Scanning aligns with WMS goods receipt screens

• Discrepancy codes map to damage report form

• GRN generated only after full verification

Real World Errors This SOP Prevents:

• Wrong supplier deliveries entering stock

• Incorrect quantities booked

• Unstable trailers causing injury

• Damaged goods entering sellable inventory

• Vehicles leaving without paperwork

• ASN mismatches causing stock loss

Frequently Searched Operational Questions:

1. How do I safely control inbound vehicle arrivals?

Problem: Unsafe arrivals cause yard incidents.

Cause: No immobilisation checks.

Solution: This SOP mandates handbrake, chocks, stabilisers, restraints.

2. How do I prevent receiving discrepancies?

Problem: Wrong quantities booked.

Cause: No scan verification.

Solution: Step by step scanning against ASN/PO.

3. How do I stop damaged goods entering stock?

Problem: Damage logged too late.

Cause: No quarantine process.

Solution: Mandatory damage hold and photo logging.

4. How do I reduce dock congestion?

Problem: Vehicles queued incorrectly.

Cause: No allocation logic.

Solution: Yard marshal dock/slot allocation.

5. How do I ensure ASN accuracy?

Problem: Mismatches cause stock loss.

Cause: Documentation not checked early.

Solution: ASN/PO verification before unloading.

6. How do I improve WMS receiving accuracy?

Problem: Wrong SKUs booked.

Cause: Manual entry errors.

Solution: Scan verify every item before GRN.

7. How do I reduce vehicle turnaround time?

Problem: Slow unloading.

Cause: No structured workflow.

Solution: Controlled unloading + two person teams.

Related SOPs & Documents:

• Inbound Operations: Vehicle Arrival Checklist

• Inbound Operations: Driver Sign In Form

• Inbound Operations: Discrepancy & Damage Form

• Inbound Operations: Supervisor Audit Form