Scope 3 · Category 4
Scope 3 Category 4: Upstream transportation and distribution
Scope 3 Category 4 covers upstream transportation and distribution of products purchased by your organisation in vehicles not owned or controlled by you — inbound logistics, third-party freight and warehousing you buy. Tonne-kilometres, mode split or logistics spend are the usual activity inputs before emission factors are applied.
Category 4 is upstream transportation and distribution you purchase — inbound freight and warehousing in vehicles you do not own or control.
Collect tonne-kilometres by mode, carrier reports, or logistics spend when physical data is missing. Prefer primary carrier data for major lanes.
Owned fleet freight belongs in Scope 1/2 (and Category 3 WTT), not Category 4. Downstream outbound logistics you do not operate sit in Category 9.
Related activity data
Related scopes
By activity data
By compliance framework
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Category 4 and Category 9?
- Category 4 is upstream (getting purchases to you). Category 9 is downstream (moving sold products to customers) when you do not operate the vehicles.
- Should I use tonne.km or spend?
- Tonne-kilometres by mode are preferred. Spend-based logistics factors are a fallback when carriers cannot provide distance or mass data.
- Does warehousing count?
- Third-party warehousing and distribution services you purchase can be included in Category 4 when material and not already embedded in Category 1 product footprints.
- What if my supplier delivers free of charge?
- Inbound transport embedded in the product price may already sit in Category 1 cradle-to-gate factors. Only add Category 4 when you separately purchase or can isolate that freight.
- Are courier parcels Category 4?
- Yes when they bring purchased goods to your sites in third-party vehicles. Keep a simple activity log (shipments, mass or spend) if full tonne.km are unavailable.