This article outlines the process and workflow when sending inventory directly from your supplier to Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) using Luminous.

Overview

Luminous provides a streamlined approach for tracking inventory sent directly from your supplier to an Amazon FBA warehouse. This ensures accurate inventory levels, seamless reconciliation, and real-time visibility into product movements and costs.

Workflow Steps

1. Create a Purchase Order (PO)

  • Issue a Purchase Order to your supplier within Luminous.
  • Indicate clearly to your supplier that the shipment should be sent directly to an Amazon FBA warehouse.

2. Create Inbound Shipment in Amazon Seller Central

  • Log in to Amazon Seller Central and create an inbound shipment indicating inventory is being shipped directly from your supplier.
  • Amazon will provide shipment details and tracking information.

3. Automatic Detection by Luminous

  • Luminous automatically detects this inbound shipment from Seller Central and creates an Inbound Shipment within the platform.
  • Important: At this stage, Luminous does not automatically create a Transfer Order (TO) or Sales Order (SO).

4. Reconciling the Shipment

  • Within Luminous, reconcile the inbound shipment directly to the existing Purchase Order that was previously issued to your supplier.
  • This reconciliation explicitly connects your existing PO to the inbound shipment, ensuring no duplicate transactions are generated.

5. Automatic Receipt and Inventory Update

  • When Amazon confirms receipt of the inventory at the FBA warehouse, Luminous automatically generates a Receiving Report and marks the original PO as received.
  • This ensures accurate inventory adjustments, updates COGS (Cost of Goods Sold), and maintains real-time visibility of your inventory status.

Key Benefits

  • Accuracy: Prevents duplication of inventory records or orders.
  • Control: Allows explicit reconciliation by users, ensuring clarity and precision.
  • Automation: Reduces manual steps by automatically handling inventory receipts upon Amazon's confirmation.
  • Real-Time Visibility: Provides continuous updates on inventory status, in-transit quantities, and associated costs.

Important Notes

  • Direct supplier-to-FBA shipments do not automatically create Transfer Orders (TO) or Sales Orders (SO) in Luminous. The reconciliation step is required to link shipments correctly.
  • Ensure reconciliation is completed timely to maintain accuracy in inventory and financial reporting.