What is a goods receipt number?

A goods receipt number is the unique sequential reference assigned by the recipient's ERP or warehouse management system to a specific receipt transaction. It appears on the goods receipt slip and in the system's transaction log — separate from the order number, purchase order number, and carrier's consignment reference. The goods receipt number links the receipt event to the three-way match record in accounts payable and makes the transaction traceable for the 7-year document retention period.