How should charger stock be rotated by date code?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: Ship the oldest production date first (first in, first out) and keep each production batch together and labelled. Record the date code and batch from the carton at receiving, so a later quality issue can be traced to the exact units on your shelves. Do not mix batches in one carton or one picking bin.

Why date codes matter for chargers

Chargers do not spoil like food, but production batches differ. A component change, a mould repair or a corrected defect can start on a specific date. If a customer reports a fault, the date code tells you whether it affects one batch or all of them. It also tells you how long stock has sat in the warehouse, which matters for packaging and for warranty start dates.

What to record at receiving

1. The model and variant, such as plug type or colour.
2. The date code or batch number printed on the carton and the product.
3. Quantity received and the purchase order number.
4. The date it arrived and the shelf or bin location.
5. Whether the batch passed your incoming check, and any samples kept.

How to rotate

• First in, first out. Pick the oldest date code first. For slow-moving items, check the age of stock each month.
• Separate batches. Keep each batch in its own location, with the date code visible on the shelf label.
• No mixing. Never top up an open carton with units from another batch.
• Mark opened or returned stock. Keep returns apart until they are inspected.

Exceptions to strict FIFO

Use a different order in a few cases. If one batch is under a quality hold, do not ship it at all. If a customer asks for a specific batch for compliance reasons, ship that batch. If a newer batch includes a fix, you may want to send it first to customers who reported the problem.

Check old stock before shipping

For stock that has been stored for many months, open a sample carton and check the packaging for damage, the cable for deformation and the plug for corrosion. Store in a dry place away from direct sun and heat.

Why it helps with recalls and claims

When you can match a customer’s unit to a batch, you can limit a hold or a recall to the affected units instead of everything. Record the date code on your outgoing documents too, so you know which customers received which batch.

Ask the factory for a clear code

Ask the factory to print a readable date code on both the product and the carton, and to tell you what the code format means. A code you cannot read is no use when you need it.

Where this answer says to confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the regulators, standards bodies or device makers named in the text.