How is maximum length at /SAPAPO/MAT1 really working?

[MartinTorres]

Hello SAP experts,

I want to ask for your support with a question about the maximum length found in the material master data on EWM S/4HANA (/SAPAPO/MAT1, or MM03).

According to the documentation, this field specifies the maximum length of the products that can be packed inside the packaging material, and it differs from the length of a unit of the packaging material.

For testing purposes, I have maintained 4 CM as maximum length in the packaging material CTN_02 and I have packed in /SCWM/PACK a product with length 706 MM. I was expecting an error message, or at least a warning, but the system allowed me to go ahead with no restriction at all.

Once packed, the handling unit now had 24 CM of length, which is the length in the master data for the packaging material. But the product, which has 70.6 CM as length, was packed successfully into a packaging material with 4 CM as max. length.

So how does this maximum length actually works? Is is just an statistical value, or is it really restricting any products with longer lengths to be packed? If this should show an error/warning message, can you share a case where it actually works?

Thanks in advance!