This guidance applies to Metrc (New York) and explains how New York licensees should receive incoming transfers in Metrc, comply with the updated 5% transfer variance confirmation requirement, correct post-receipt discrepancies, and return unwanted inventory back to the originating facility using proper repackaging and transfer creation.
Bulletin details (Metrc New York)
Bulletin number: NY_IB_0010
Distribution date: 03/17/2026
Effective date: Ongoing
Subject: Transfer Variances
Purpose: Guidance on accepting transfers and returning unwanted inventory to the originating facility in Metrc.
Transfer variance allowance: 5% confirmation requirement
Metrc, in collaboration with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), is reducing the allowed variance between shipped and received package quantities to a maximum of 5%.
In practice, this means receiving staff must explicitly confirm acceptance of any package received with a variance up to 5% during the receiving workflow.
Any package with a variance over 5% cannot be accepted into inventory through Metrc receiving.
How to accept an incoming transfer in Metrc
Receiving transfers correctly is critical because Metrc treats the receiving action as the moment inventory becomes part of your facility’s official, regulated on-hand quantities.
• Navigate to the Transfers page in Metrc to view incoming transfers and associated incoming packages.
• Select the incoming package and choose Receive to bring the package into your facility inventory.
• When the receive window displays shipped versus received amounts, enter the quantity you physically received.
• If the received quantity differs from the shipped quantity but is within the allowed threshold, confirm acceptance of the variance (up to 5%) as prompted in the receive window.
Handling discrepancies after you have accepted inventory
When an adjustment is required
If you accept a package and later identify that the package quantity in Metrc does not match the physical count on-hand, you must bring Metrc back into alignment by adjusting the package to the true physical count.
How to adjust an accepted package in Metrc
• Select the package in your inventory and choose Adjust.
Adjustment reason: Select Entry Error.
Required note: Describe in detail what occurred with the transfer discrepancy (what was expected, what was physically received, and why the variance/discrepancy occurred, if known).
Enter the correct quantity so the package reflects what is physically present. If reducing the quantity, enter the negative amount (for example, “-2”) to decrease the package quantity.
Confirm the adjustment so the package on-hand quantity matches your physical inventory.
Returning unwanted or extra units to the originating facility
If an incoming transfer contains more units than your facility requested or intends to keep, Metrc’s workflow requires that you first receive (accept) the transfer into your inventory so the system recognizes you as the current owner of record before you can initiate a compliant return.
How returns work in Metrc: repackage, label, then transfer
To return only the unwanted portion (rather than the entire received package), you must repackage the return quantity into a new Package UID and then create a new transfer back to the originating facility.
• Select the received package in your inventory and choose New Package to create a new Package UID.
• Enter the quantity you want to return into the new package so the returned amount is separated and traceable under its own UID.
Place the physical products being returned into an appropriate container and affix the newly generated physical Package UID label to that container so the return package is correctly identified during transport and receipt.
• Select the newly created Package UID and choose New Transfer.
• In the New Transfer window, select the originating facility as the destination and register the transfer to send the unwanted inventory back.
Day-to-day operational implications for New York licensees
The 5% transfer variance limit increases the importance of careful receiving procedures, because quantities that exceed the threshold cannot be accepted and will require coordination with the shipper before inventory can be properly reconciled.
Receiving teams should plan for extra time at intake to verify counts, confirm any allowed variance during the receive workflow, and document discrepancies thoroughly when adjustments are needed.
For returns, operations should be prepared to physically segregate and relabel the portion being returned, because Metrc requires a new Package UID for the returned quantity before a return transfer can be created.
Labeling and system tools: DistruLabels and DistruERP
Accurate package identification is essential when repackaging for returns, especially to ensure the correct Package UID is affixed to the correct container and to support downstream retail compliance.
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it helps operators stay aligned with Metrc Retail ID compliance by producing consistent, scannable labels tied to the right items and packages. Learn more at https://distru.com/.
DistruERP: For larger, multi-site, or high-throughput operations that need complete supply chain management beyond basic traceability tasks, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform for managing inventory, manufacturing, orders, and distribution workflows in one system. Learn more at https://distru.com/.
Metrc support and training resources
Metrc Support (Service Cloud): Submit support requests and manage cases through Metrc’s support portal at https://support.metrc.com/ (also accessible via the Support dropdown within Metrc). First-time access typically requires your state, facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn: Metrc Learn provides interactive training organized into facility-specific learning programs. Access Metrc Learn at https://learn.metrc.com/.
In-app resources: Use the Support dropdown inside Metrc to access guides, manuals, and additional educational materials relevant to transfers, receiving, adjustments, and compliance workflows.
