What does Inbound Logistics mean?

Inbound logistics is the process of receiving and managing goods that come into a company from its suppliers: the transport, receipt and storage of raw materials, components or products before they are used or sold. It is the mirror image of outbound logistics, which moves finished goods out to customers.

What inbound logistics covers

It spans demand forecasting, ordering, inbound transport, goods receipt and put-away into the warehouse. The goal is simple: have the right materials, in the right quantity, at the right time, with no errors at receipt, so production or sales never stall.

Why it matters

Inbound is where a supply chain is made or broken: late or wrong deliveries upstream ripple through everything downstream. Reliable inbound transport and accurate receiving keep the whole chain moving.

On the transport side, inbound deliveries still have to be planned and costed. In the Planner Module from IMPARGO inbound tours are planned with truck-legal routes, per-country toll and tour cost before dispatch.