Scope 3 · Category 9
Scope 3 Category 9: Downstream transportation and distribution
Scope 3 Category 9 covers downstream transportation and distribution of sold products in vehicles not owned or controlled by you — outbound logistics to customers when you do not operate the fleet. Mode, distance and mass shipped, or carrier reports, feed the Category 9 calculation.
Category 9 is downstream transportation and distribution of sold products in vehicles you do not own or control.
Use outbound shipment data: mass, distance, mode, or carrier carbon reports. If you operate the delivery fleet, those emissions are Scope 1/2 instead.
Customer collection and post-sale logistics you do not purchase may fall outside Category 9 — document exclusions.
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Related scopes
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Frequently asked questions
- What if customers arrange their own collection?
- Emissions from customer-arranged transport are often outside Category 9. Include only logistics you purchase or control contractually, unless your method states otherwise.
- How do Category 9 and Category 4 differ?
- Category 4 is inbound to your organisation; Category 9 is outbound for sold products.
- Can I use sales tonnes as a proxy?
- Sales mass plus average distance assumptions can screen Category 9, then refine with carrier lane data for major flows.
- Does last-mile delivery count?
- Yes when you pay for third-party last-mile delivery of sold products. Keep parcel and pallet flows separate if factors differ.
- Are returns Category 9?
- Return logistics you purchase can be included when material. Align with how you treat reverse logistics in the inventory.