The quick answer
On the original item receipt’s Landed Cost subtab, choose the allocation method and source the eligible carrier bill as Other Transaction. Save, then compare the receipt’s GL Impact and unchanged quantity.
The screenshots show a recorded demonstration with sample data. Use your own records and values when following the steps.
Before you start
Use an eligible non-standard-cost inventory item, Advanced Receiving, an open period and the configured landed-cost item/category. The source carrier bill needs the eligible charge on Items; an expense-only bill is insufficient. This example uses one unit and no tax or estimated freight.
01. Create the goods purchase order
Create a purchase order for Maple Components at Portland Warehouse. Add one Compact Actuator at $48 and leave the estimated landed-cost template blank. Save and check the item and total on PO9622.
02. Receive the one unit
Choose Receive on the PO. Confirm quantity 1, keep Landed Cost per Line off and freight blank. In Inventory Detail, enter lot LOT9623 and quantity 1, then Add and OK. Save the item receipt.
03. Record the original GL impact
On IR9623, open GL Impact. Inventory Asset is debited $48 and Accrued Purchases credited $48. Keep this baseline for the freight comparison.
04. Review the carrier’s invoice
In the separate document viewer, review Harbor-Freight-FR984.pdf for Harbor Freight Services, reference FR984 and $72 freight. This illustrative input is separate from the inventory supplier’s purchase. Return to NetSuite.
05. Enter the carrier bill
Open Transactions → Payables → Enter Bills. Choose Harbor Freight Services and reference FR984. On Items, add configured Actual Freight, quantity 1, rate $72 and category Landed Cost - Freight. Save and compare the bill.
06. Source the freight on the original receipt
Reopen IR9623 in Edit and open Landed Cost. Set Cost Allocation Method to Quantity. For Landed Cost - Freight, choose Other Transaction and select FR984. Confirm the sourced amount is 72.00, then Save.
07. Verify quantity remains one
On the saved receipt, open Items & Expenses. Compact Actuator still shows quantity 1 and landed cost 72.00. Allocating freight did not receive an additional unit.
08. Compare the inventory postings
Open GL Impact on that same receipt. The original $48 goods entries remain, with an additional $72 Inventory Asset debit and Freight Clearing credit. Inventory debits total $120 for the one unit. Account names follow the configured items and category.
Check the result
- The original receipt sources the intended carrier bill and category.
- Received quantity stays one.
- GL Impact adds $72 to inventory cost; this allocation did not pay the carrier.
Common questions
How do I include an actual carrier bill in inventory landed cost?
Enter a standalone vendor bill for the carrier using a configured landed-cost item and the matching landed-cost category. Edit the item receipt, open Landed Cost, choose Other Transaction as the source, select the carrier bill, choose an allocation method such as Quantity, and save.
Why is my freight bill missing from the receipt’s Transaction list?
The bill must include a landed-cost item on its Items subtab, not only an expense line, and its landed-cost category must match the category on the receipt. The bill may also be unavailable if it has already been allocated to another receipt.
Should I use the goods supplier’s Bill button for a different carrier?
No. Enter the carrier’s invoice as a separate vendor bill for the carrier. The goods supplier’s Bill action is for billing the inventory purchase, not for recording a separate freight provider’s charge.
Does allocating freight create another bill, pay the carrier, or increase quantity?
No. It links the existing bill to the receipt, adds the allocated freight to inventory cost, and leaves the received quantity unchanged. In the example, USD48 of goods plus USD72 of freight produces USD120 of inventory debits; verify the actual result in the receipt’s GL Impact, because account names and posting details depend on configuration.