Products that have sustained physical harm, deterioration, or defects during storage, handling, or transportation, rendering them unsuitable for normal sale or distribution. In warehouse management systems, damaged goods require immediate identification, segregation, and documentation to prevent accidental shipment and maintain inventory accuracy.
Proper damaged goods management protects brand reputation, ensures customer satisfaction, and prevents financial losses from returns or chargebacks. WMS functionality enables workers to flag damaged items through mobile devices, automatically quarantine them in designated locations, and trigger disposition workflows for repair, return to vendor, or disposal.
Common examples include dented cans, broken electronics, water-damaged textiles, or expired pharmaceuticals. Advanced WMS platforms track damage patterns by location, carrier, or product type, providing valuable insights for process improvements and supplier negotiations. This data helps warehouse managers implement preventive measures, optimize handling procedures, and reduce overall damage rates while maintaining accurate inventory records and compliance with quality standards.
