Treat date code as one field in the receiving record
Record the date code and lot identifier as separate fields. Compare the labels and packing documents against the purchase order. If the parts are moisture-sensitive, inspect the packaging and record the evidence your handling procedure requires. A date code by itself does not tell you whether a package was opened or stored correctly.
Start with the label on the shipping unit. Keep a photo and preserve the original text if your inventory system translates it into a date. Date-code formats can differ by manufacturer and product; confirm an ambiguous mark rather than interpreting it from a generic chart.
| Evidence | Receiving question |
|---|---|
| Exact orderable part and quantity | Does the delivery match the approved PO line? |
| Date code and lot identifier | Are there mixed lots or codes the supplier did not disclose? |
| Package condition | Is the seal intact, and is required moisture evidence present? |
| Supplier documentation | Can the stock be traced to the source required by the order? |
Separate a specification breach from a condition concern
If the PO requires a specific date-code window and the delivery falls outside it, hold the lot and open the agreed exception process. Passing a visual inspection does not erase a PO mismatch. Conversely, a lot inside the date window may still need to be held if a moisture barrier bag is damaged.
For example, a shipment of two reels may match the PO quantity but have different lot identifiers. Keep the reels individually identifiable in receiving. If a supplier investigation or product notice later identifies one lot, you can isolate it instead of treating both reels as an unknown mixture.
TI's quality and packaging FAQ lists storage conditions, packaging and moisture sensitivity among the factors that affect shelf life after delivery. Use your quality procedure and the manufacturer's instructions for a disposition. The procurement evidence pack guide covers what to preserve before ordering; the receiving record closes the other end of that trail.
Scope
This checklist is for incoming inspection planning. It does not set an acceptable date-code age or replace the contract, material-handling procedure or quality team's release decision.