
Warehouse receipts are a crucial aspect of international trade, providing a secure and transferable document that guarantees the ownership of goods stored in a warehouse. They serve as a proof of ownership and can be used as collateral for loans.
A warehouse receipt is issued by a licensed warehouse operator, who is responsible for storing the goods. This receipt is a negotiable document that can be transferred to a third party, such as a bank or another buyer, to secure a loan or purchase the goods.
The receipt typically contains information about the type and quantity of goods stored, as well as the warehouse's location and the date of issuance. This information is essential for verifying the authenticity and value of the goods.
In order to be considered a valid warehouse receipt, it must be issued by a licensed warehouse operator and comply with local regulations.
Related reading: Warehouse and Transportation Management System
What is a Warehouse Receipt?
A warehouse receipt is a crucial document in the world of commodities and futures contracts. It provides full-scale legal documentation of a transaction, including a legal transfer of goods.

This documentation is essential for both the customer and the business, as it serves as strong evidence of storage at a warehouse. It protects all parties involved in a transaction.
For example, warehouse receipts can be used to settle futures contracts instead of physically delivering the actual commodities backing a contract.
Understanding a Warehouse Receipt
A warehouse receipt is a crucial document that proves ownership of a commodity, and it plays a significant role in the inventory and delivery process of a futures contract. It's a tangible proof that the goods exist and are stored in a warehouse.
For a commodity to be delivered to satisfy a futures contract, there must be a warehouse receipt for the goods. This ensures that the commodity meets the quality standards required by the contract.
Warehouse receipts can be used to settle futures contracts instead of the physical delivery of the actual commodities backing a contract. This can be a more convenient and efficient way to fulfill a contract.
More About Warehouse Receipts

A warehouse receipt is essentially a legal document that confirms a transfer of goods has taken place. This is crucial for both the customer and business, as it provides strong evidence of storage at a warehouse.
Having a warehouse receipt protects all parties involved in a transaction, giving them a clear record of the transfer.
Its purpose is to provide full-scale legal documentation, which is vital for any business dealing with storage and transfer of goods.
Purpose and Function
A warehouse receipt is a crucial document that serves as clear evidence of a title existing for the stored items. It's provided by warehousemen for goods contained in a warehouse or storage facility.
The main purpose of a warehouse receipt is to provide full-scale legal documentation, stating a legal transfer of goods has taken place. This protects all parties involved in a transaction.
A warehouse receipt functions as a legal, written document, making it a vital piece of evidence in case of disputes or claims. Without it, your business could get sued.
Types and Forms

There are only two main types of warehouse receipts: negotiable and non-negotiable. A negotiable receipt is more common and allows goods to be delivered to whoever bears the document.
A non-negotiable receipt, on the other hand, only references the party that receives the delivered goods. This type of receipt is less common than its negotiable counterpart.
US laws don't specify a particular form for warehouse receipts, but they do require crucial information to be featured on every single receipt, including the location of the warehouse facility and the date of issue.
Physical Commodities
Physical commodities play a vital role in the US economy, accounting for a large portion of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This is because commodities for physical delivery are used to produce and manufacture a wide range of goods.
Almost all trades made on futures exchanges are done by commercial traders who seek to either sell or buy commodities for physical delivery. This is a key aspect of the US economy.

Futures contracts on commodities require the tracking of physical inventory and specific quality standards must be met for a commodity to be physically delivered as a result of a futures contract. This is in contrast to options contracts which give the holder the right to buy or sell the underlying stock at a preset price.
Warehouse receipts, regulated by Article 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code, can display transfer of ownership information for commodities stored at warehouses. This can apply to either a future delivery date or an immediate delivery.
US law also states that warehouse receipts can display ownership of inventory goods and mention unfinished goods that a warehouse stores. This is often the case when a distributor or manufacturer needs a receipt.
Common Types of Receipts
There are two main types of warehouse receipts: negotiable and non-negotiable. A negotiable receipt allows goods to be delivered to whoever bears the document, making it a form of collateral for loans.

A negotiable receipt is more common than a non-negotiable receipt, which only references the party that receives the delivered goods. This is a key distinction between the two types of receipts.
Negotiable receipts are regulated by US laws, which require crucial information to be featured on every receipt, including the location of the warehouse facility and the date of issue.
Zone and Bin Codes
Zone and bin codes are crucial for receiving items in a warehouse. They determine where items are stored and retrieved.
To receive items with a different class code than the bin, clear the Bin Code field on the document header. This ensures that you can retrieve source document lines for the items.
If bins are mandatory for a location, zone and bin codes are added to warehouse receipt documents in a specific way. Business Central uses the receipt bin code from the Location Card page for the location.

Here's how it works in different configurations:
- For advanced configurations that use directed put-away and pick, Business Central uses the receipt bin code from the Location Card page for the location. If a receipt bin code isn't specified, no bin is specified. If the item and receipt bins don't match, the receipt bin code is blank.
- In other configurations, if a receipt bin code isn't specified, Business Central uses the bin code from the source document.
Business Central's behavior in these scenarios can be a bit tricky, but understanding the rules can help you navigate warehouse receipt documents more efficiently.
Regulations and Laws
A warehouse receipt is a legal document that serves as clear evidence of a title for stored items. This document is provided by warehousemen for goods contained in a warehouse or storage facility.
The warehouse receipt must contain specific information, including the location of the warehouse, how goods are stored, and the date the receipt went into effect. US companies must also state the consecutive number of receipts.
Every charge, including storage rate charges, must be included in the receipt, along with a brief description of each stored item or the manner in which goods were packed. Warehousemen must provide a signature on every receipt, or the agent of the warehouseman can provide the signature.
Special Provisions
In some cases, special provisions can be made to accommodate specific situations. The law allows for temporary exemptions from certain regulations, such as during times of natural disasters.

These exemptions can be granted by regulatory agencies, who have the authority to waive certain requirements. This can help businesses and individuals affected by the disaster to continue operating and recover more quickly.
For example, the government may waive building codes to allow for emergency repairs or temporary housing. This can be a huge relief to people who have lost their homes or businesses due to the disaster.
In other cases, special provisions may be made for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or young children. This can include exemptions from certain taxes or fees, or priority access to services like healthcare or education.
Regulatory agencies also have the power to grant special permits or licenses to individuals or businesses that meet specific criteria. This can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs or innovators who need to test new products or services.
Laws Basics
Warehouse receipts are a crucial part of the storage process, and understanding the basics of warehouse receipt laws is essential for any business.

A warehouse receipt is a legal document provided by warehousemen for goods stored in their facility. It serves as clear evidence that a title exists for the stored items.
To prevent disputes and claims, every receipt must contain specific information, including the location of the warehouse, how goods are stored, and the date the receipt went into effect.
US companies must also state the consecutive number of receipts and reference any terms associated with the receipt, such as delivery to a bearer.
Every charge for storage rate must be included in the receipt, along with a brief description of each stored item or the manner in which goods were packed.
Warehousemen must be trained to provide a signature on every receipt or the agent of the warehouseman can provide the signature.
A warehouse receipt must feature the amount of each advance payment, if applicable.
Exercise caution when drafting each receipt, as a single omission could have serious consequences for a storage business.
Implementation and Management

To implement a warehouse receipt system, you'll need to use exchange-approved warehouses that provide a secure location to store the physical commodity and offer inventory management.
These warehouses are designed to ensure the quantity and quality of the commodity being stored, which is a key benefit of using a warehouse receipt.
In exchange-approved warehouses, inventory management is a crucial aspect, allowing for easy tracking and monitoring of the stored commodities.
Here are some key aspects of inventory management in exchange-approved warehouses:
- Inventory tracking and monitoring
- Commodity quality control
- Quantity verification
The warehouse receipt provides the exchange with documentation that the goods authorized for sale are available for transfer to a buyer, ensuring a smooth transaction process.
Key Takeaways
When implementing and managing a warehouse receipt system, it's essential to understand the key takeaways. A warehouse receipt is used in the futures markets to guarantee the quantity and quality of a commodity being stored in a facility.
Exchange-approved warehouses are used to provide a secure location to store the physical commodity. These warehouses are specifically designed to manage inventory and provide a safe environment for the commodities.

The warehouse receipt provides the exchange with documentation that the goods authorized for sale are available for transfer to a buyer. This documentation is crucial for a smooth transaction process.
Here are the key benefits of using exchange-approved warehouses:
- Secure location for storing commodities
- Effective inventory management
- Guaranteed quantity and quality of commodities
How to Use Filters for Source Documents
Using filters is a great way to retrieve specific source documents. You can use filters to get source documents from a warehouse receipt.
To start, choose the Use Filters to Get Src. Docs. action in the warehouse receipt. This will open the Filters to Get Source Docs. page.
From this page, you can set up a new filter by entering a descriptive code in the Code field and choosing the Modify action. The Source Document Filter Card - Inbound page will appear.
Here are the steps to set up a filter:
- In the Code field, enter a descriptive code.
- Choose the Modify action.
- Use the filters to define the type of source document lines to retrieve.
- Choose Run.
You can make an unlimited number of filter combinations. This means you can create multiple filters for different scenarios.
What Is a System?

A system is essentially a blueprint for how things work, providing a clear structure and process for achieving a specific goal. In the context of a warehouse, a system can certify the title of any commodity that gets deposited.
The type of trade that involves storing commodities is facilitated by a warehouse receipt system. This system provides a way to document the receipt of goods, including their value, type, quality, and quantity.
A well-designed system can help ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page, from the commodity owner to the warehouse staff. For example, a receipt system can state the value of goods, which is essential for financial transactions.
In a warehouse receipt system, the quantity and quality of goods are also crucial details that need to be documented. This helps prevent errors and discrepancies down the line.
A system can provide a clear framework for how to handle commodities, from receipt to storage to disposal. This can help streamline processes and reduce the risk of mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a warehouse receipt?
To create a warehouse receipt, choose the "Create Warehouse Receipt" action in the source document, such as a purchase order or sales return order. This will generate a warehouse receipt for the selected document.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/warehousereceipt.asp
- https://www.unidroit.org/work-in-progress/model-law-on-warehouse-receipts/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/warehouse-how-receive-items
- https://www.movingauthority.com/warehouse-receipts-law/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title8.7/part2/
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