{"id":38166,"date":"2026-04-30T10:18:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T08:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rackbeat.com\/?post_type=glossaries&p=38166"},"modified":"2026-05-01T13:10:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T11:10:43","slug":"fefo-first-expired-first-out","status":"publish","type":"glossaries","link":"https:\/\/rackbeat.com\/en\/glossaries\/fefo-first-expired-first-out\/","title":{"rendered":"FEFO (First Expired, First Out)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is FEFO?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

FEFO stands for First Expired, First Out and means that the items with the earliest expiration date should be used, picked, or sold first. The method is mainly used in industries where products have expiration dates or limited shelf life. FEFO differs from FIFO by focusing not only on when items entered the warehouse, but when they expire.<\/p>\n

The purpose is to reduce waste, avoid obsolete stock, and ensure customers receive products with valid shelf life. FEFO is therefore widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemicals.<\/p>\n

How does FEFO work in practice?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

FEFO works by assigning an expiration date to each item when it is received into the warehouse. When items are later picked for orders or used in production, the system prioritizes the stock with the nearest expiration date. This ensures that inventory flow is managed based on shelf life rather than just receipt date.<\/p>\n

In effective inventory management<\/a>, FEFO requires control over items, dates, and storage locations. For example, products with shorter shelf life are often placed in easily accessible locations, while newer items with longer shelf life are stored further back in the warehouse flow.<\/p>\n

FEFO is often closely linked to batch management, since items with the same SKU may have different expiration dates depending on their batch or lot. This means it is not enough to track total stock levels, you also need visibility into which units expire and when.<\/p>\n

FEFO vs. FIFO: What is the difference?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

FEFO and FIFO<\/a> are similar but based on different priorities. FIFO (First In, First Out) focuses on when items were received, the oldest stock is used first.<\/p>\n

FEFO, on the other hand, prioritizes expiration dates. This means that a newer item may need to be picked before an older one if it expires sooner.<\/p>\n

In short:<\/p>\n