Optimise Your Inbound Container Handling with Dynamics 365 Business Central

Managing shipments that arrive in containers can be a real challenge for businesses that deal with international suppliers. From tracking what’s inside each container to knowing when it will arrive and how much it really costs, there’s a lot to keep up with. That’s where Dynamics 365 Business Central comes in. With the right tools, it helps companies take control of their inbound logistics, reduce delays, and make smarter decisions. In this article, we’ll explore how container handling works in Business Central and why it’s important for supply chain and warehouse operations.

What is Inbound Container Handling in Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Inbound Container Handling in Dynamics 365 Business Central refers to the process of managing and tracking shipments especially those arriving in containers from suppliers to your warehouse or distribution centre. This functionality is typically enhanced through third-party apps or custom extensions, as the base Business Central system has native support for complex container logistics.

What It Involves

Inbound Container Handling helps businesses:

• Group multiple purchase orders into a single container.
• Track container details like expected arrival dates, weight, volume, and shipping method.
• Manage On-The-Water inventory, allowing visibility of goods before they physically arrive.
• Allocate landed costs (freight, duties, insurance) across items in the container.
• Streamline receiving by enabling bulk receipt of container contents.
• Update delivery dates across all related purchase lines if the container is delayed.

Importance of Inbound Container Handling in supply chain and warehouse management

Inbound Container Handling plays a significant role in both supply chain and warehouse management, especially for businesses that rely on international or bulk shipments. Here's why it's so important:

1. Enhances Supply Chain Visibility

Inbound container handling provides real-time tracking of goods from the supplier to the warehouse. This visibility helps:

• Monitor shipment status and expected arrival times.
• Identify delays early and adjust production or sales plans accordingly.
• Improve communication between procurement, logistics, and warehouse teams.

2. Improves Warehouse Efficiency

By knowing exactly what’s arriving and when, warehouse teams can:

• Pre-plan space allocation for incoming goods.
• Schedule labor more effectively for unloading and receiving.
• Use bulk receiving features to reduce manual data entry and speed up operations.

3. Enables Accurate Landed Cost Allocation

Inbound container handling allows businesses to:

• Allocate freight, insurance, customs duties, and other charges across items.
• Ensure accurate product costing, which is essential for pricing and profitability.
• Avoid under- or over-costing inventory, which can distort financial reporting.

4. Supports Better Inventory Planning

With container-level tracking, businesses can:

• Manage On-The-Water inventory—goods that are in transit but not yet received.
• Improve demand forecasting and replenishment planning.
• Reduce stockouts and overstocking by aligning inventory with actual shipment timelines.

5. Streamlines Procurement and Receiving Workflows

Inbound container handling integrates with purchase orders and warehouse receipts to:

• Bundle multiple POs into a single container.
• Update delivery dates across all related lines if a container is delayed.
• Simplify receiving by allowing one-click receipt of all container contents.

6. Reduces Errors and Manual Work

Automating container handling processes helps:

• Eliminate manual data entry errors.
• Ensure consistency in landed cost calculations.
• Reduce administrative overhead in logistics and accounting. 

Ready to streamline your inbound logistics, reduce operational costs, and gain full visibility over your supply chain?

Dynamics Square UK specialises in customising and implementing Dynamics 365 Business Central to help businesses like yours manage container shipments, automate warehouse operations, and improve decision-making with real-time data.

Get in touch with our experts today to discover how we can help transform your container handling process from port to warehouse.

Call us on [0203 769 7689] Chat with us live or Send us an email at [ info@dynamicssquare.co.uk ] ,

Book a free demo now Let’s take the complexity out of inbound container management together.