This guidance applies to Metrc (New York) licensees and explains what to do when incoming transfer quantities do not match what was shipped, including the new 5% transfer variance confirmation requirement, how to receive packages, how to correct discrepancies, and how to return unwanted inventory to the originating facility.
Bulletin details (Metrc New York)
Bulletin Number: NY_IB_0010
Distribution Date: 03/17/2026
Effective Date: Ongoing
Subject: Transfer Variances
Contact Point: Metrc Support
Purpose: Guidance on accepting transfers in Metrc and returning any unwanted inventory back to the originating facility.
Transfer variance allowance reduced to 5%
Metrc, in collaboration with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), is reducing the variance allowed between shipped and received package quantities by up to 5%. This is intended to improve inventory alignment between the originating facility’s shipped quantities and the receiving facility’s on-hand counts.
Key rule: Licensees must confirm acceptance of packages with a variance up to 5%. Any variance over 5% cannot be accepted into inventory.
Operationally, this means your receiving team should verify physical counts before finalizing receipt in Metrc, because the system will not allow receipt outside the allowed variance threshold.
How to accept an incoming transfer in Metrc
To receive an incoming transfer, go to the Transfers page and locate the incoming transfer/packages in the Transfers grid.
• Select Receive for the package you are bringing into inventory.
When the received transfer window appears, confirm what you physically received. If the shipment is short (within the 5% allowance), enter the count of units you physically received and confirm the variance in the receive window as prompted.
This confirmation step matters because it becomes part of the system record showing that your facility knowingly accepted a minor variance and recorded the true on-hand quantity at the point of receipt.
Handling discrepancies after you have accepted inventory
If you discover a discrepancy after the package has already been accepted into your inventory, the bulletin instructs licensees to adjust the package to the correct physical count.
• Select the accepted package in Metrc and choose Adjust.
Adjustment reason: Select Entry Error.
Notes requirement: In the required note field, describe in as much detail as possible what occurred with the transfer discrepancy so the audit trail explains why the package quantity changed.
How to enter the change: Enter the correct count for what is physically in inventory. If the quantity needs to decrease, use a negative number (add “-” in front of the number) to reduce the package quantity.
• Confirm the change by selecting Adjust Packages.
Day-to-day impact: Train receivers to document the “why” clearly (who counted, what was found, and what was corrected) so your Metrc adjustment notes support internal QA reviews and regulator questions.
Returning unwanted units to the originating facility
If you receive an incoming transfer and there are more units in that transfer than were requested, the bulletin provides a specific workflow for returning the unwanted quantity.
Important system requirement: You must first accept the inventory into your Metrc account to initiate a return.
Step 1: Repackage the quantity you want to return
To return only the unwanted portion, you will repackage that amount into a new Package UID.
• Select the package that was received into your inventory and choose New Package.
• Enter the quantity you intend to return and create the new package so Metrc assigns a new Package UID for that returned amount.
Operationally, this step creates a clean traceable unit of inventory dedicated to the return, instead of trying to “send back” product from a package that also contains items you are keeping.
Step 2: Physically label the return package
After creating the new Package UID, place the physical products into a container and affix the new physical Package UID label to that container so the returned items match the package being transferred in Metrc.
Step 3: Create a new transfer back to the origin facility
To initiate the return shipment:
• Select the newly created Package UID and choose New Transfer.
• In the new transfer window, select the facility you are returning the product to (the originating facility) and register the transfer.
Day-to-day impact: Treat returns as a new outbound transfer with its own package identity, documentation, and chain of custody, rather than trying to reconcile returns through edits to the original incoming transfer.
Practical compliance implications for New York operators
Receiving SOP alignment: Because acceptance is limited to a 5% variance, facilities should align receiving practices so physical counts and Metrc receipt entry happen together, reducing last-minute surprises at the point of receipt.
Audit-ready records: When discrepancies require a package adjustment, the “Entry Error” reason and detailed notes become the key compliance narrative explaining what happened and how you corrected your inventory to match reality.
Returns require repackaging: The requirement to create a new Package UID before returning unwanted quantities means you need the operational capability to segregate product, relabel it, and ship it as a distinct transfer.
Labeling and traceability tools: DistruLabels and DistruERP
Accurate labeling and package identification are central to receiving, repackaging, and returning product in Metrc, especially when generating new Package UIDs for returns.
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it helps operators keep labels consistent with Metrc identifiers and workflows, including supporting Metrc Retail ID compliance.
DistruERP: For larger operators that need full supply chain management across purchasing, production, inventory, sales, and fulfillment, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed to support end-to-end operations alongside Metrc processes.
Metrc support and training resources
Metrc Support Portal: Submit questions or requests through Metrc’s Service Cloud at https://support.metrc.com (also accessible from the Metrc navigation toolbar under Support). First-time access requires your username, 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 it via https://www.metrc.com/learn.
Additional Metrc resources: In the Metrc system, use the Support dropdown to access educational guides, manuals, and other reference materials.
