---
title: "Set up container types"
slug: "bc-food-set-up-container-types"
tags: ["BC", "Business Central", "Food", "Task"]
updated: 2026-06-15T13:24:05Z
published: 2026-06-25T09:59:17Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/bc-food-set-up-container-types"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staedean.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up container types

When working with containers, several container types are available. Each type has its own unique characteristics, a number of which you enter on the **Container Type card**.

1. In the search box, enter **Container Type**, and then choose the related link.
2. On the **Home** tab, in the **New** group, choose **New**.
3. Fill in the fields on the card. The following fields are required:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Code | The code you want to assign to this container type. |
| Description | A brief, meaningful description of the type of container associated with this code. Examples are Wood Pallet, CHEP Pallet, Railway Car, 40Ft Container, and so on. |
| Container Item No. | If the container should be inventory-tracked in your warehouse, link the container type to an item of type **Container**. This ensures proper tracking of inventory and can serve as further setup for tracking inventory value and the serialization of containers. |
| Setup Level | Determines which items are allowed on containers of this type. The possible values are: **All** (all items are allowed), **Item Category** (only items belonging to this specific item category and its descendants are allowed: categories are specified on the **Items** tab), **Specific** (only specific items are allowed: items are specified on the **Items** tab). |
| Container Sales Processing | Determines what happens with a container linked to an outbound process. The possible values are: **Adjustment** (the container is automatically adjusted out of inventory on posting of the shipment), **Transfer** (the container is automatically transferred to the Container Location on posting of the shipment. The container location is set up on the **Inventory Setup** page), **Sales** (the container is sold and treated the same way as a regular item). |
| Container Purchase Processing | Determines what happens with a container linked to an inbound process. The possible values are: **Adjustment** (the container is automatically adjusted into inventory on posting of the receipt), **Transfer** (the container is automatically transferred from the Container Location to the location on the document on posting of the receipt. The container location is set up on the **Inventory Setup** page), **Purchase** (the container is purchased and treated the same way as a regular item). |
| No. of Labels | The default number of labels printed when a container label is created and printed. |
| Tare Weight | The tare weight of an individual container. Used in the calculation of the total weight of a container and in the weight shown on the **Sales Statistics** page. |
| Tare Unit of Measure | The unit of measure code in which the tare weight is expressed. |
| Capacity | The capacity of the container. This field is for informational purposes only. |
| Capacity Unit of Measure | The unit of measure code in which the capacity is expressed. |

On the **Items** tab, the following fields are available.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> When the setup level All is selected, you must still open the Items tab and create an entry in the Container Usage table.

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Item Type | Determines which item types are allowed on the container. The value follows the value in the **Setup Level** field. |
| Item Code | Determines which item categories or specific items are allowed on containers of this type. The list of possible values depends on the **Item Type** field. If **Item Type** is set to **All**, no item code needs to be entered. |
| Unit of Measure Code | Filters the specific units of measure allowed on containers of this type. |
| Default Quantity | When a new container line is created, the **Quantity** field is populated with this default quantity. |
| Single Lot | Prevents a container from containing several lots of the same item. Valid for warehouse containers only. Shipping containers can always contain several lots for the same item. |
| Single Item | Prevents a container from containing several items. Available as of release 21.4.202310.0 and 22.4.202310.0. See [Handling multi-item containers](/business-central/docs/bc-handle-multi-item-containers). |

The **Navigate** tab contains two options: setting up container charges and setting up container labels.

For more information on container charges, see [Set up container charges](/business-central/docs/bc-set-up-container-charges).

For more information on using and setting up containers, see [About containers](/business-central/docs/bc-about-containers).

## Related

- [Handle multi-item containers](/bc-handle-multi-item-containers.md)
- [Set up container charges](/bc-set-up-container-charges.md)
- [About containers](/bc-about-containers.md)
- [Configure pallet/container tracking](/bc-configure-pallet-container-tracking.md)