What is a Stock Transport Order (STO)?
A Stock Transport Order (STO) in SAP is a type of purchase order used for internal stock movement between different plants or storage locations within an organization. Instead of selling goods externally, you’re shifting stock internally—accompanied by all documentation for auditing, billing, and tracking.Importance of STO in Logistics Operations
STOs ensure:- Accurate stock levels across locations
- Seamless intercompany or intra-company stock movements
- Proper goods receipt, issue, and invoice documentation
- Audit-ready internal logistics management
Step-by-Step Process to Create a Stock Transport Order
ME21N – Create STO
- Go to Transaction Code: ME21N
- Choose Document Type: UB (for intra-company) or NB (for inter-company)
- Fill in necessary details: Supplying plant, receiving plant, materials, quantity
- Save to generate STO number
ME22N – Change STO
- Use this TCode to:
- Modify delivery dates
- Update quantities
- Edit plant/storage details
ME23N – Display STO
View existing STO documents for tracking and verification.Delivery Creation for STO
VL10B – Create Delivery
- Create outbound delivery from STO
- Enter purchase order details
- Check schedule lines
- Execute to generate delivery
Post Goods Issue and Picking
VL02N – Post Goods Issue & Pick Batch/Qty
- Enter delivery number
- Pick materials and batch manually or auto-pick
- Post goods issue to update inventory and financial records
Billing for Stock Transport Order (STN)
VF01 – Create Billing Document
- Enter delivery number
- System generates invoice internally (for intercompany scenarios)
VF02 – Display STN
Review the billing document to ensure correctness.VF03 – Printout for STN
Print invoice for documentation or shipping purposes.How to Cancel a Stock Transport Order (STO)
VL09 – Reverse Goods Issue
Enter delivery document and reverse goods movement if incorrectly posted.VL02N – Reverse Delivery / Pick Qty
Undo delivery and batch selections.ME22N – Delete STO
Navigate to line item and choose "Delete" or "Cancel" for open STOs.Common Challenges and Solutions
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| STO not appearing in VL10B | Check delivery creation date or STO status |
| Batch not picked in VL02N | Ensure batch determination is set up |
| Billing not generated | Confirm intercompany config and delivery completion |
Best Practices for Managing STO in SAP
- Maintain updated plant and material master data
- Use scheduling agreements where frequent transfers occur
- Always review delivery schedules before goods issue
- Use document flow tracking to monitor the full lifecycle
FAQs About Transaction Code for Stock Transport Order
Q1. What is the transaction code to create a Stock Transport Order?A: Use ME21N to create a new STO.
Q2. How can I reverse a goods issue for an STO?
A: Use VL09 to reverse any goods issue mistakenly
posted.
Q3. Can I modify an STO after creation?
A: Yes, use ME22N to change or update STO details.
Q4. Which transaction code is used for delivery creation
in STO?
A: Use VL10B for generating the delivery order
from STO.
Q5. What if the batch is not picked automatically?
A: Check batch determination settings in VL02N.
Q6. Is billing mandatory for STO?
A: Billing is mandatory for intercompany STO using VF01.
Conclusion
Mastering the Transaction Code for Stock Transport Order helps streamline internal logistics, maintain accurate stock records, and ensures audit compliance. Whether you're creating, updating, or cancelling STOs, using the right SAP codes can make all the difference in efficient operations.