In SAP, a Delivery Block is a control mechanism used to prevent or restrict the creation or processing of outbound deliveries for a sales document. Delivery blocks are typically applied to sales orders, quotations, or scheduling agreements to manage or temporarily hold the delivery process until certain conditions are met. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to create custom delivery block in SAP ECC and S/4HANA, explaining the complete step-by-step process.
How To Create Custom Delivery Blocks in SAP?
In SAP, you can create custom delivery blocks based on your specific conditions. The delivery block can then be applied to a particular sales order to restrict its delivery, as well as at an account level to block all of a customer’s deliveries. If any staff tries to process the order in SAP, the delivery block will not allow the creation of the delivery document. Once applied, the delivery block will restrict the fulfillment of orders until the block is removed by authorized personnel.
The process of creating and applying custom delivery blocks in SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA involves the following steps:
- Creating the delivery block
- Enter transaction code SPRO to open project customization menu
- Under Logistics Execution, navigate to Deliveries to find the option for delivery block creation.
- Define the reasons and conditions for your custom delivery block.
- Assign the delivery block to a delivery type.
- Test the delivery block by applying it on a sales order, and then trying to generate its delivery document.
Now let’s go through the entire process in detail.
Step 1: Creation of Delivery Block
- In SD Master Data Screen enter transaction code SPRO.
- Click on SAP Reference IMG
- Navigate along the highlighted path to create a new delivery block reason
- Click on the first option and then click on choose.
- Click on New Entries.
- Create a new block reason. Save and go back. In the below example, Z1 is the block code and created for shipping instructions at delivery and picking level.
Step 2: Assign Delivery Block to a Delivery Type
- Now click on the second option and then click on Choose
- Click on New Entries.
- Assign the delivery block reason-Z1 which is defined as the previous step to the delivery type LF. Save and go back.
Step 3: Create a Sales Order of Type OR and Functionality of New Delivery Block
- Enter tcode VA01 to create a sales order.
- Enter the required fields order type, sales organization, distribution channel and division.
- Click on Enter.
- Create a sales order with new blocking reason Z1 (Check Texts). Click on Save.
- If there is a shipping instruction we are going to apply this block.
- Now try to create a delivery for this sales order. Execute transaction code VL01N to create the delivery.
- Enter the shipping point and the number of the sales order you just created.
- Click on Enter.
- The following message will be displayed due to the delivery block.
- It will not allow the customer to create delivery until we remove the delivery block. In order to remove the delivery block enter transaction code VA02.
- Remove the delivery block. Click on Save
How to Create a Sales Order Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start the SAP IMG to set up your new block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field and press Enter.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Block Settings
Find where SAP stores sales order block reasons.
- Go to Sales and Distribution → Sales → Sales Documents → Sales Document Header.
- Select Define Sales Order Block Reasons.
Step 3: Create a New Block Reason
Add your custom block code and description.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZSO1).
- Add a label like “Hold for Review.”
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Block to Sales Order Type
Link the new block to the order type you use.
- Return to IMG and select Assign Block Reasons to Sales Order Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick your sales order type (e.g., OR).
- Add the block code ZSO1.
- Click Save.
Step 5: Transport Your Changes
Move your new settings to other SAP systems.
- When prompted, enter or select a transport request.
- Confirm to include your block setup.
Step 6: Test Your Block in a Sales Order
Apply the block code and verify it stops delivery creation.
- Go to VA01 and create a sales order.
- Fill in order type, organization, and customer details.
- In the header Block field, enter ZSO1 and save.
- Note the block message in the order header.
- Run VL01N to create an outbound delivery.
- Enter your sales order number and press Enter.
- Confirm you see the delivery blocked message.
How to Create a Confirmation Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start the IMG to set up your confirmation block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field and press Enter.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Confirmation Block Settings
Find where SAP stores confirmation block reasons.
- Go to Sales and Distribution → Sales → Sales Documents → Confirmation Control.
- Select Define Confirmation Reasons.
Step 3: Create a New Confirmation Reason
Add your custom code and label for the block.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZCF1).
- Add a label like “Hold for Confirmation.”
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Block to Sales Order Type
Link your new block to the order type you use.
- Return to IMG and select Assign Confirmation Reasons to Sales Document Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick sales order type (e.g., OR).
- Add block code ZCF1.
- Click Save.
Step 5: Transport Your Changes
Move your block settings to other SAP systems.
- When prompted, enter or select a transport request.
- Confirm to include your block setup.
Step 6: Test Your Block in a Sales Order
Apply the block and try sending a confirmation.
- Enter VA02 and open your sales order.
- In the header, find the Confirmation Reason field.
- Enter ZCF1 and press Enter.
- Click the Confirmation button.
- Verify you see a “Confirmation blocked” message.
How to Create a Printing Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start the SAP IMG to set up your print block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field and press Enter.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Printing Block Settings
Go to the menu where print blocks are defined.
- Choose Sales and Distribution → Sales → Sales Documents → Sales Document Header.
- Select Define Print Block Reasons.
Step 3: Create a New Print Block Reason
Add your own code and short text for the block.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZPB1).
- Provide a label like “Hold Print”.
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Print Block to Sales Order Type
Link the block to the sales order you use.
- Return to IMG and select Assign Print Block Reasons to Sales Order Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick your order type (e.g., OR).
- Add block code ZPB1.
- Click Save.
Step 5: Transport Your Changes
Move your new block setup to other systems.
- When prompted, enter or select a transport request.
- Confirm to include your print block entries.
Step 6: Test Your Print Block
Apply and verify the block stops any print output.
- Go to VA02 and open your sales order.
- In the header Print Block field, enter ZPB1 and save.
- Click the Print button.
- Confirm you see a message blocking the print.
How to Create a Delivery Due List Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start the IMG to set up your delivery due list block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field and press Enter.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Delivery Block Settings
Find where SAP defines delivery block reasons for shipments.
- Go to Logistics Execution → Shipping → Deliveries → Define Reasons for Blocking in Shipping.
Step 3: Create a New Delivery Due List Block Reason
Add your custom code and label for the due list hold.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZDD1).
- Provide a label like “Hold in Due List.”
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Block to Delivery Type
Link your new block reason to the delivery document type.
- In IMG, select Assign Delivery Block Reasons to Delivery Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick delivery type (e.g., LF).
- Add block code ZDD1.
- Click Save.
Step : Transport Your Changes
Move your new block setup into other SAP systems.
- When prompted, enter or select a transport request.
- Confirm to include your delivery due list block entries.
Step 6: Test Your Delivery Due List Block
Apply the block on an order and verify it appears in the due list check.
- Go to VA01, create a sales order, and set the Delivery Block field to ZDD1.
- Run transaction VL10A (Delivery Due List).
- Enter your selection criteria and execute.
- Confirm your blocked order either does not appear or is flagged as blocked.
How to Create a Picking Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start IMG to set up your pick block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Picking Block Settings
Find where pick blocks are kept in IMG.
- Go to Logistics Execution → Shipping → Picking.
- Select Define Reasons for Blocking in Picking.
Step 3: Create a New Pick Block Reason
Add your custom code and label for picking.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZPK1).
- Add a label like “Hold Picking.”
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Block to Delivery Type
Link the pick block to your delivery documents.
- Select Assign Block Reasons to Delivery Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick delivery type (e.g., LF).
- Add block code ZPK1.
- Click Save.
Step 5: Transport Your Changes
Move your pick block setup to other SAP systems.
- When prompted, enter or choose a transport request.
- Confirm to include your new entries.
Step 6: Test Your Picking Block
Apply the block and verify it stops picking.
- Go to VL02N and open a delivery.
- In the header, enter ZPK1 in the Picking Block field.
- Click Save, then select Picking.
- Confirm you see a message blocking the pick.
How to Create a Goods Issue Block in SAP
Step 1: Open Customizing
Start IMG to set up your GI block.
- Enter SPRO in the command field.
- Click SAP Reference IMG.
Step 2: Navigate to Goods Issue Block Settings
Find where SAP holds GI block reasons.
- Go to Logistics Execution → Shipping → Goods Issue.
- Select Define Reasons for Blocking in Goods Issue.
Step 3: Create a New Goods Issue Block Reason
Add your custom code and description for GI.
- Click New Entries.
- Enter block code (e.g., ZGI1).
- Add a label like “Hold GI.”
- Click Save.
Step 4: Assign Block to Movement Type
Link your GI block to the right movement types.
- Select Assign Block Reasons to Movement Types.
- Click New Entries.
- Pick movement type (e.g., 201).
- Add block code ZGI1.
- Click Save.
Step 5: Transport Your Changes
Move your GI block setup into other SAP systems.
- When prompted, enter or select a transport request.
- Confirm to include your block entries.
Step 6: Test Your Goods Issue Block
Apply the block and check that GI is prevented.
- Go to VL02N and open a delivery.
- In the header, enter ZGI1 in the Goods Issue Block field.
- Click Save, then choose Post Goods Issue.
- Confirm you see a message blocking the goods issue.
Conclusion
By following the above steps, you can create a custom delivery block in SAP. It is an essential function that helps to prevent incorrect or unauthorized deliveries. But to take things further, you can even automate the process of managing delivery blocks as well as many other core functions and business processes within SAP. How?
With an integration platform like APPSeCONNECT, you can integrate SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA with your CRM systems, eCommerce platform, shipping solution, and many other enterprise applications. Connecting your ERP with other systems allows automation of workflows within these systems, making your operations a lot more accurate and efficient.
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