Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.
What a delivery register is
A delivery register is the record of goods and consignments arriving at a site: it logs who delivered, what was delivered, when, and who signed for it, giving a clear trail of inbound movements at the gate or goods-in area.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their delivery register records and how it ties into goods-in and security.
Purpose
- Record every delivery received and who received it.
- Link a delivery to its paperwork and the goods-received check.
- Support security control of who and what enters the site.
- Provide a trail for queries, claims and traceability.
Who maintains it
- Goods-in, a gatehouse or reception logs deliveries.
- A warehouse or logistics lead owns the register.
- Drivers and receivers confirm the delivery details.
- The employer decides the process and who is responsible.
When it is used
- Each time a delivery arrives at the site.
- When checking goods received against the order and paperwork.
- When tracing a missing, late or disputed delivery.
- During reviews of goods-in or site security.
Typical fields
- Date, time and the carrier or supplier.
- Description of the goods and any reference or order number.
- Vehicle registration and driver where relevant.
- Condition on arrival and who received and signed for it.
- Link to the goods-received check or delivery note.
- Example columns only — adapt to your operation and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Logging the delivery but not who received it.
- Not noting damage or shortages on arrival.
- Treating the register as separate from the goods-received check.
- No link between the register and the delivery paperwork.
Document workflow
A delivery register sits at the start of the inbound chain: a delivery is logged here, a goods-received register records the detailed check against the order, and stock-movement records follow as items are put away. It also links to the gate or site-access controls and any temperature log for chilled goods.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a delivery register entry.
Retention (high level)
Delivery records are generally kept for a period the employer sets for traceability, queries and any sector requirements, in line with its obligations. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
A delivery register is often held in a system or on paper and exported to PDF for records and queries. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make it official or prove compliance.
Employer checklist
- Log every delivery, who received it and its condition.
- Note damage or shortages on arrival, not later.
- Link the register to the goods-received check and paperwork.
- Use it for security control of what enters the site.
Worker notes
- Check and record deliveries accurately, including condition.
- Raise shortages or damage at the point of receipt.
- Make sure the right paperwork is attached to the entry.
Country considerations
Record-keeping and traceability expectations vary by country, sector and goods type — food and controlled goods differ — and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for controlling and recording what enters the site and for compliance with any traceability duties. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make an operation compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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