How SAP GTS integrated with SAP EWM turns Export Compliance into a competitive advantage

Export compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting your brand and keeping goods moving without delays. Yet, many companies still rely on manual checks or post-shipment reviews, leaving them exposed to risk. What if compliance could be embedded directly into your warehouse operations? That’s exactly what happens when SAP Global Trade Services (GTS) integrates with SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM).

Why This Matters

Compliance failures can lead to shipment delays, penalties, and reputational damage. Integrating GTS with EWM ensures that compliance is enforced before goods leave the warehouse, giving trade leaders confidence that every shipment meets legal standards.

Market experts say: “Integrating GTS with EWM ensures compliance is enforced not just at the document level, but operationally within the warehouse—where it truly matters.”

Which integration setup works best for you?

SAP offers flexibility in how GTS integrates with your logistics processes. Here are two common architectures:

Option 1: SAP GTS without SAP EWM

• SAP S/4HANA handles sales orders, outbound deliveries, and billing.
• SAP GTS receives data directly from S/4HANA for compliance checks and customs declarations.
• Best for: Companies without advanced warehouse operations.

Sales Process with SAP GTS but without SAP EWM:

Option 2: SAP GTS with SAP EWM

• SAP S/4HANA creates the sales order and outbound delivery.
• SAP EWM manages the outbound delivery order and warehouse tasks.
• SAP GTS receives the outbound delivery order from EWM for compliance checks.
• Best for: Companies with complex warehouse operations and embedded or decentralized EWM.

Sales process with SAP GTS and SAP EWM:

Step-by-Step: From Sales Order to Goods Issue

1. Sales Order Creation in SAP S/4HANA.

2. Outbound Delivery generated and distributed to EWM if the storage location is EWM-managed.

3. Outbound Delivery Order created in EWM and sent to GTS (export document).

4. Compliance Checks in GTS:

• Embargo Check: Country-based restrictions.
• Sanction Party List Screening: Partner validation.
• Legal Control: Product-based licensing requirements.

5. Blocking Mechanism: If any check fails, GTS blocks the outbound delivery order in EWM.

6. Warehouse Operations Halted: Picking, packing, and loading are suspended.

7. Manual Review & Release: Compliance experts review and release blocks if appropriate.

8. Warehouse Task Execution: Once cleared, operations resume.

9. Goods Issue Posting: Final step before billing and customs declaration.

Key Setup Considerations for a Successful Integration

• Organizational Alignment: Map company codes, plants, and sales units to GTS
• Document Flow Control: Ensure delivery documents route correctly based on warehouse setup.
• Warehouse Blocking Logic: Configure EWM to block delivery orders when GTS detects compliance issues.
• User Governance: Define who can override blocks—only authorized compliance experts should have this access.

Real-World Example

Your team creates a sales order for a customer in an embargoed country. SAP GTS immediately flags the transaction due to an embargo and blocks the outbound delivery order in EWM, halting warehouse operations.

Now consider another case:

The customer is in a permitted country, but the product requires an export license that hasn’t been registered yet. GTS detects this during the Legal Control check and blocks the delivery order in EWM. No picking, packing, or shipping can occur until your compliance team uploads the license and releases the block.

This proactive approach ensures compliance is embedded into operations—not just paperwork.

Business Benefits

• Reduce Risk: Stop non-compliant shipments before they happen.
• Improve Control: Align warehouse tasks with legal checks.
• Stay Audit-Ready: Every decision is logged.
• Scale Easily: Works for embedded or decentralized EWM setups.
• Boost Collaboration: Logistics and compliance teams work hand-in-hand.

Ready to see it in action?

At ArchLynk, we help global trade leaders integrate SAP GTS and EWM for smarter, compliant supply chains. Want to explore what this could look like for your business? Schedule a demo with our experts.