SD / O2Cintermediate

SD Returns Part 2: Configuring Returns — Document Types, Item Categories and Copy Control

Key takeaway

Configure the returns flow: returns order type RE (category H, reference mandatory, delivery type LR, billing type RE, billing block), item category REN, schedule line category DN with movement 651, returns delivery type LR, and copy control from invoice to returns, returns to delivery and returns to credit memo.

Explanation

📌 KEY POINTS
✅ Order type RE: document category H, reference mandatory (to invoice), delivery type LR, billing type RE, default billing block.
✅ Item category REN: returns indicator, billing relevance per process (delivery- or order-related credit).
✅ Schedule line category DN: delivery relevant, movement type 651 (blocked returns stock), no ATP.
✅ Copy control: invoice → returns (VTAF), returns → delivery (VTLA), returns/delivery → credit (VTFA/VTFL) with pricing type D.
⚠️ Copying prices anew (pricing type B) credits today's price, not what the customer paid.

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▶ WHERE WE ARE
Part 1 described the flow. Now its configuration.

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▶ 1. RETURNS ORDER TYPE

VOV8 RE: category H, reference mandatory, delivery type LR, billing type RE, billing block.
Order reasons (OVAU) mandatory via incompletion.

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▶ 2. ITEM AND SCHEDULE LINE

REN (VOV7): returns flag, pricing, billing relevance.
DN (VOV6): movement 651, delivery relevant, no requirements.

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▶ 3. RETURNS DELIVERY

LR delivery type (0VLK); item category REN in 0VLP.
Goods receipt posted from the delivery.

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▶ 4. COPY CONTROL

VTAF F2 → RE (billing to sales document).
VTLA RE → LR.
VTFL LR → RE (delivery-related credit) or VTFA RE → RE (order-related credit).

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▶ 5. BILLING

Billing type RE (credit memo category), cancellation type, account determination.

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▶ STEP BY STEP

Review RE, REN, DN, LR standard settings.
Maintain copy control with pricing type D from invoice.
Set order reasons and billing block.
Test the full flow.

✅ CHECKPOINT: a return referencing an invoice copies its prices, posts 651 and credits the same amount.

Code example

ABAP Code

===== STEP 1: settings =====VOV8 RE : category H | reference mandatory (invoice) | delivery type LR | billing type RE | billing block 08VOV7 REN: returns X | pricing X | billing relevance (A delivery-related or B order-related per process)VOV6 DN : movement type 651 | relevant for delivery X | availability –, requirements –0VLK LR : returns delivery | 0VLP REN ===== STEP 2: copy control =====VTAF F2 → RE  item: pricing type D (copy unchanged)VTLA RE → LRVTFL LR → RE (or VTFA RE → RE for order-related credit)

Real project scenario

Customers were credited current list prices on returns because copy control from invoice to returns used pricing type B. For discounted items the credit exceeded what was paid. Changing to pricing type D and making reference to the invoice mandatory fixed credits; finance recovered overpayments from open balances.

Common mistakes

Pricing type B on returns.
Reference not mandatory.
Movement type 653 used directly, skipping inspection.
Missing billing block.
No order reasons.

Best practices

Reference invoices with pricing type D.
Keep 651 and inspection.
Default billing block with release owner.
Mandatory order reasons.
Test full returns chain.

Interview angle

Questions: "Which settings define the returns order type?", "Which movement type is used?", "How do you ensure the credit matches the invoice?"
Strong answer: RE (H, reference, LR, RE billing, block), REN, DN with 651, LR delivery, copy control VTAF/VTLA/VTFL or VTFA with pricing type D, order reasons.

Practice this lesson

Quick check

1. A frequent question is how copy control differs for order-to-delivery versus order-to-billing in a returns scenario, and why pricing behavior often differs from a standard sales order flow. In the Returns context, which answer shows the strongest practical judgment?

2. Customers are credited current list prices instead of what they paid. Which setting should be fixed?

3. Which movement type does the standard returns schedule line category DN post?

Interview questions

1. In a standard sales return process, how does schedule line determination differ for a returns item category compared to a standard sales order item, and why is this important?

Answer it in your own words first, then compare.

2. Set up a returns process where credits must match the original invoice prices and returned goods go to blocked stock. What configuration do you need?