Wrong partners in bill type IG Internal Credit Memo

[jens_feldkamp1]

Dear gurus,

we are having some trouble concerning partner determination for cross-company stock transfer, especially with return shipments.

The situation is this: Company code A sells a material to company code B.

We create a stoc-transfer-order (STO), a delivery note and the bill. In the bill (type IV intercompany Billing), partners Sold-to-party, Bill-to-party and Payer is the customer number of company code B. Just as expected.

BUT when we try to return materials from company code B to Company code A, we create a STO with an item with “Returns Item” picked. In the delivery created (type NCR Ret.StTranspOrd CC), partner Ship-to Party is the customer number of company code A.

This seems ok, but when we continue to create the bill (type IG Internal Credit Memo), the partners Sold-to Party, Bill-to Party and Payer is the customer number of Company code A (!) as well.

This just seems wrong and differs greatly from the original bill. Of course, this causes further problems with creating output documents, because company code A is printed as the recipient of the credit memo, which is just nonsense.

Any ideas on how to change this? I do not think we changed the standard customizing here, which is even more weird.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Jens

[Stanislaw_Stefanowski · Accepted solution]

Hello,

in the return PO, is the company "A" a supplier? If yes, have you checked that the "shipping data" tab on the PO item is filled in correctly? 

As per my knowledge, if you haven't changed the standard customizing, this process should work correctly. Therefore, it seems more like an issue with the data in the documents. 

Best regards

[jens_feldkamp1 · Accepted solution]

Dear Stanislaw,

[jens_feldkamp1 · Accepted solution]

Dear Stanislaw, yes, the supplier in the return STO is company A. BUT in "shipping data" the Customer is company A as well! Just like in the original STO. And the Shipping Point is one of company A, too. Sounds wrong to me, or is it? Thank you Jens

[jens_feldkamp1 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your replies. The reason was a programm error: https://me.sap.com/notes/3502523

[Lakshmipathi]

This mismatch happens because partner determination in the return billing document type (IG) is not aligned with the intercompany return process. SAP standard often defaults to the supplying company’s customer when the “Returns Item” flag is used, unless customizing is adjusted.

Please check the below areas

In cross‑company STO, each supplying company code’s vendor is linked to a customer master. For returns, ensure that the receiving company code’s customer (B) is correctly assigned in customizing for partner determination.

Compare the procedure used in IV vs IG. Often IG is set to derive Sold‑to/Bill‑to/Payer differently. You may need to copy the IV procedure or adjust the access sequence so that B is picked up instead of A.

If “Customer” is showing as A, that’s the root cause. For a return STO, the customer should be B (the one who originally received the goods). This field drives partner determination in the subsequent delivery and billing. Check if the PO type for returns is configured correctly in IMG → Materials Management → Purchasing → Purchase Order → Set up STO.