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 Transaction Level Units (TLUs).

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 | GTIN 901234123457
Fairy Platinum Plus Deep Clean – 90 Capsules | GTIN 7612345678903
Sensodyne Repair & Protect – 75ml Toothpaste | GTIN 5012345678900
Samsung Galaxy S24 – Smartphone with USB-C Cable | GTIN 4006381333931

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) | 8712345678904
Fairy Platinum Plus Deep Clean – Year Pack 4 × 90 Capsules (carton box) | 0301234567891
Philips Hue Smart Lighting Starter Kit – 3 Bulbs + Hub (retail carton bundle) | 8881234567896

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 | GTIN 6931234567897
Pattex All Purpose Crack Filler Euro Pallet – 48 × 12 × 290g | GTIN 4791234567898
San Benedetto 1.5L Pallet with layer pads – 6 × 20 × 5 | GTIN 3801234567890

SKU Sourcing Type

Definition

A classification field that identifies how each Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) enters the company’s product portfolio—whether it is manufactured internally, only packaged, or fully purchased as a finished good. This field supports portfolio management, supply-chain reporting, and packaging/material compliance.

Purpose

To distinguish SKUs by the company’s sourcing involvement, independent of supplier, production site, or geographic origin.

Allowed Values / Codes

Code	Label	Description
MFG	Manufactured	SKU is produced and packaged by the company.
PKG	Packaged	SKU’s product content is sourced externally, but the company performs the packaging activity.
BIN	Bought-In	SKU is purchased as a finished good and resold with no manufacturing or packaging.

Applicability

Applies to all persistent SKUs within the Supply Chain Unit (SCU) framework, including Individual Sales Units (ISU), Grouped Sales Units (GSU), and Transport Stock Units (TSU).

Transaction Level Unit (TLU)

TLU represents the packaging that is added at the moment of shipping an individual customer order. Unlike SKUs, which are produced to stock

Order Delivery Units (ODU)

Definition: A Order Delivery Unit is a shipment-specific SCU composed of one or more ISUs, GSUs, or TSUs, optionally with additional Delivery Packaging (DP). Order 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.

Sales Unit Portfolio Type

Indicates how a sales unit fits within the company’s product portfolio, based on the company’s involvement in creating or packaging the item.

Allowed values:

Manufactured – you produce and pack the item.

Packaged – you only package the product; content is sourced externally.

Bought-In – fully purchased finished goods for resale.

Optional short codes if needed: MFG, PKG, BIN.

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)