Supply Chain Unit - TX

Definition: A Supply Chain Unit (SCU) is any unit that flows through supply chain operations (stored, moved, packed, shipped). SCUs include both persistent Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) and order-specific Delivery Units (DUs).

Stock Keeping Units (SKU)

A standardized, persistent unit with a catalog identity and an inventory position. Identified by GTIN. Types of SKUs:

Individual Sales Unit (ISU)

The smallest unit sold to end users or consumers, consisting of the product (consumable, disposable, or durable) with its additional Sales Packaging (SP).

Examples:

Coca-Cola Original Taste – 330ml Can
Fairy Platinum Plus Deep Clean – 90 Capsules
Sensodyne Repair & Protect – 75ml Toothpaste
Samsung Galaxy S24 – Smartphone with USB-C Cable

Grouped Sales Unit (GSU)

A commercial multi-pack grouping multiple ISUs together with additional Grouped Packaging (GP).

Examples:

Coca-Cola Original Taste – 6 × 330ml Cans (multipack)
Fairy Platinum Plus Deep Clean – Year Pack 4 × 90 Capsules (carton box)
Philips Hue Smart Lighting Starter Kit – 3 Bulbs + Hub (retail carton bundle)

Transport Stock Unit (TSU)

A stock-keeping unit designed for transport and logistics, containing multiple ISUs and/or GSUs with additional |Transport Packaging (TP).

Examples:

Sensodyne Repair & Protect Toothpaste outer carton 12 × 75ml
Pattex All Purpose Crack Filler Euro Pallet – 48 × 12 × 290g
San Benedetto 1.5L Pallet with layer pads – 6 × 20 × 5

Delivery Units (DU)

Definition: A Delivery Unit is a shipment-specific SCU composed of one or more ISUs, GSUs, or TSUs, optionally with additional Delivery Packaging (DP). Delivery Units are not predefined SKUs but are formed during fulfillment or distribution. Identified by SSCC in GS1 standards.

Examples:

E-commerce: An online order containing 1 smartphone (ISU) and 1 phone case (ISU), packed in a shipping carton with additional Delivery Packaging.
Cross-docking: A mixed pallet assembled in back-of-store operations, combining cases of beverages (TSU) and snack multipacks (GSU) for onward delivery to a retail outlet.

GS1 Mapping

ISU / GSU / TSU (SKUs): Identified with GTIN
DU (Delivery Unit): Identified with SSCC
Locations: Identified with GLN
Assets/Consignments: Identified with GRAI/GINC (when relevant)