M8328 - Higher-level items not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M8 - Invoice Verification/Valuation

• Message number: 328

• Message text: Higher-level items not allowed

What causes this issue?

In the IDoc, bills of material are sent as subordinate items for an
invoice item. The system does not recognize these as being subordinate,
and tries to invoice the same items twice.
You can identify subordinate items by the fact that there is a value in
the field UEPOS in segment E1EDP01.
EDI invoice receipt in Materials Management cannot process IDocs
containing bills of material.

System Response

How to fix this error?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M8328 - Higher-level items not allowed ?

  The SAP error message M8328, "Higher-level items not allowed," typically occurs in the context of materials management and inventory management processes, particularly when dealing with bill of materials (BOM) or hierarchical item structures. This error indicates that there is an issue with the way items are structured in a transaction, such as a sales order, production order, or purchase order.
  Cause:
  The error usually arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  
  Item Hierarchy Violation: The transaction is attempting to include a higher-level item (like a parent item in a BOM) where only lower-level items (like components) are allowed. For example, you might be trying to add a finished product instead of its components.
  
  
  Incorrect Item Category: The item category used in the transaction may not support higher-level items. Certain item categories are designed to handle only specific types of items.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the system that restrict the use of higher-level items in certain transactions.
  
  
  Document Type Restrictions: The document type being used may not allow for higher-level items to be processed.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the M8328 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Item Structure: Review the item structure in your transaction. Ensure that you are only including lower-level items (components) where required. If you need to reference a higher-level item, ensure that it is appropriate for the context of the transaction.
  
  
  Review Item Categories: Verify that the item categories used in your transaction are appropriate for the items being processed. If necessary, change the item category to one that allows for the inclusion of higher-level items.
  
  
  Configuration Review: Consult with your SAP configuration team to review the settings related to item hierarchy and BOM processing. Adjustments may be needed to allow for higher-level items in specific transactions.
  
  
  Document Type Check: Ensure that the document type you are using supports the inclusion of higher-level items. If it does not, consider using a different document type that allows for this.
  
  
  Consult SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on the error message and related configurations.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, test the transaction again to ensure that the error has been resolved.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (e.g., ME21N for purchase orders, CO01 for production orders) where this error might occur.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to perform the transaction involving higher-level items.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to engage with SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.