Optional Location Inputs for Inventory Transfers: A Game-Changer for Flexibility

Shopify has introduced a powerful update that allows merchants to create inventory transfers without requiring an origin or destination location. This change makes managing inventory more flexible and adaptable to various business workflows.

Key Changes to Inventory Transfers

Previously, when using the InventoryTransferCreateAsReadyToShip mutation, both originLocationId and destinationLocationId were mandatory inputs. With the recent update, these fields are now optional. This enhancement supports scenarios where the transfer's origin or destination is unknown at the time of creation.

Important Notes

• At least one of originLocationId or destinationLocationId is required to validate the mutation.
• Existing apps that include both location IDs will continue to function without any changes.
• If your app previously treated these fields as mandatory, you can now update your validation logic to align with the new optional behavior.

GraphQL Mutation Example

Below is an example of how to create an inventory transfer using the updated API with an omitted originLocationId:

mutation OmitOriginExample {
  inventoryTransferCreateAsReadyToShip(
    input: {
      lineItems: [
        {
          inventoryItemId: "gid://shopify/InventoryItem/...",
          quantity: 5
        }
      ]
      originLocationId: null,
      destinationLocationId: "gid://shopify/Location/...",
    }
  ) {
    inventoryTransfer {
      id
      status
      origin {
        name
      }
      destination {
        name
      }
    }
  }
}

What This Means for You

This update is non-breaking, meaning you don't need to take any immediate action unless you want to adapt or optimize your workflows. If your app currently provides location IDs for inventory transfers, it will continue to function as expected. For developers, this is an opportunity to simplify your implementation by making these fields optional where applicable.