> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.e-cross.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Inventory

> Complete guide to managing inventory with e-CROSS

## Inventory Update Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Track inventory changes">
    Monitor your warehouse system for inventory level changes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update inventory">
    Use the [Update Inventory API](/api-reference/merchant-catalog/inventory-update) to sync available quantities.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Inventory types

The following inventory types are available:

* `AVAILABLE`: default inventory type, indicates the available quantity of the SKU for sales.
* `DAMAGED`: indicates the damaged quantity of the SKU. This is used to track the quantity of returned SKUs that can't be sold as new.

## Warehouses

The warehouses are the physical locations where the SKUs are stocked.

Each warehouse is identified by its ID. The default warehouse of the merchant has always the ID `1`.

Returns partners, locals to each country, have their own warehouses to give visibility of the local inventory position of each SKU.

<Warning>
  Returns partners warehouses are automatically managed by e-CROSS and can't be updated by the merchant.
</Warning>

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  Update e-CROSS as soon as possible after inventory changes to mitigate backorder scenarios, i.e., the selling of an SKU that is not available.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Setting inventory quantity to `0` will make the SKU unavailable for purchase in connected sales channels. Ensure you update inventory levels promptly when items are restocked.
</Warning>