Lot Control in 3PL Fulfillment:
Lot Tracking & Traceability
Regulated brands need more than lot tracking; they need full operational lot control.
NovEx delivers structured 3PL processes and purpose-built technology to always keep your fulfillment compliant and recall-ready.
Real-Time Lot Traceability by SKU, Customer, Order & Date
MyNovEx provides complete lot traceability across your entire fulfillment lifecycle. In the event of a supplier issue or recall, you gain immediate clarity without operational disruption. Our traceability lot code management system delivers real-time visibility and audit-ready documentation.
Operational maturity means knowing exactly where every lot stands at any moment. If you’re ready to elevate your fulfillment standards, we’re ready to help.
Benefits of lot tracking:
- Real-time lot visibility
- On-hand inventory by lot
- Detailed shipment history
- Recall reporting within minutes
- Regulatory audit documentation
Build Recall-Ready Fulfillment Before You Need It
Recalls are not a matter of “if”; they are a matter of “when.” Strong lot traceability reduces operational exposure, limits financial damage, and protects customer trust. With proper lot control and traceability, you can isolate affected inventory immediately, document shipment history, and respond to regulators with confidence.
When you operate in regulated consumables, preparation is everything. And if you work with a recall-ready fulfillment partner like NovEx, your brand remains stable, compliant, and positioned to scale.
Why Lot Control Matters More for Regulated Products
A lot (or batch) is a group of products manufactured together under shared conditions (same production run, same raw materials, same packaging window). The terms lot and batch tracking are often used interchangeably, particularly in food, supplements, and cosmetics.
For products that are consumed, applied, inhaled, or otherwise regulated, lot tracking and traceability are foundational to compliance. FDA-regulated brands must maintain documented lot code management systems that can withstand audits and recall scrutiny.
Terms related to lot code management:
- Lot tracking means recording which lot ships on an order.
- Batch tracking refers to the same concept, commonly used in human consumption categories.
- Lot or batch traceability means being able to trace a lot by SKU, order, customer, or date range.
- Lot control goes further. It ensures only approved lots are eligible for shipment and prevents incorrect lots from leaving the warehouse.
Lot Control in 3PL Fulfillment That Protects Your Brand
Risks of Poor Lot Control Systems
- Slow recall response requiring days of investigation
- Manual spreadsheet tracing across systems
- Distributing products beyond shelf life
- Weak FEFO oversight in regulated SKUs
- Inability to isolate affected customers quickly
- A broad recall scope that increases financial exposure
Tracking Alone Doesn’t Ensure Compliance
If your current 3PL can’t block the wrong lot from shipping, you may have lot recording in place, but no lot control. Partner with us to regain control and implement structured, recall-ready processes. Get better traceability & lot control.
Native Lot Tracking & Control with MyNovEx WMS
Strong warehouse lot tracking requires operational discipline and technology.
MyNovEx WMS supports advanced 3PL lot code expiration date tracking with built-in logic that protects accuracy at all times.
Lot Assignment at Receipt
We capture lot details as inventory arrives, not after it’s stored. Manufacturer-provided lot data are pre-loaded and reconciled at receiving. This ensures:
- Accurate validation at the dock
- Clean reconciliation against supplier documentation
- Immediate system visibility
- A reliable audit trail from day one
Pick & Pack Lot Verification
Lot control delivers confidence during execution, ensuring every order ships with the correct, compliant, and properly selected inventory lot.
- Only approved lots move forward during picking.
- Accurate lot verification takes place before shipment release.
- The right lot gets assigned to the right customer.
- There is built-in FIFO and FEFO logic for expiration control.
- Expiration date tracking is aligned with regulatory standards.
Multiple Lots on the Same Pallet
Inbound efficiency often requires consolidated pallets. MyNovEx tracks multiple lots on the same pallet without sacrificing outbound precision. This allows you to:
- Minimize inbound freight cost
- Preserve detailed lot data
- Maintain outbound accuracy
- Scale without compromising traceability
FAQs
Is the lot number the same as the SKU?
No. An SKU identifies a product type, while a lot number identifies a specific production batch of that product. In lot tracking and traceability systems, SKUs group inventory broadly, while lot control tracks manufacturing runs, expiration dates, and batch-specific details for compliance and recall readiness.
How to read a lot number?
Lot numbers are structured by the manufacturer and often encode production date, facility, line, or batch sequence. A strong traceability lot code management system interprets these details within warehouse lot tracking workflows, connecting each lot to receiving, inventory management, and outbound shipment history.
What is the difference between a lot number and a serial number?
A lot number applies to a group of products manufactured together, supporting batch tracking and lot traceability. A serial number is unique to a single unit. Serialized tracking offers unit-level visibility, while lot control manages compliance across grouped inventory in regulated fulfillment environments.
How many digits is a lot number?
There is no standard length for a lot number. It varies by manufacturer and regulatory requirements. What matters in inventory management lot tracking is system capability; your 3PL must accurately record, manage, and report lot codes regardless of format or digit count.
What industries require lot tracking and traceability?
Any product involving human consumption or regulatory oversight requires structured lot control. This includes supplements, nutraceuticals, CBD products, food and beverage, cosmetics, molecular reagents, medical materials & devices, and regulated nicotine products. Strong lot tracking and batch traceability protect both compliance and brand integrity.
What is the difference between lot tracking and serialized tracking?
Lot tracking applies to items produced together in one run. Serialized tracking assigns a unique identifier to each individual unit, often used in electronics or high-value devices. MyNovEx supports both depending on regulatory and operational needs.
How quickly can NovEx respond to a recall?
With real-time lot traceability inside MyNovEx WMS, affected inventory can be quarantined immediately. Shipment history reporting is generated within minutes, providing clear documentation for regulatory audits and internal response teams.
Can I see my inventory by lot in real time?
Yes. Our clients have access to real-time reporting that shows on-hand inventory by lot, expiration visibility, shipment history, and lot movement. This transparency strengthens compliance, forecasting, and supplier accountability.
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