Product: Pack & Ship
When you pack an item, the system will evaluate the dimensions of the item(s) compared to the size of the box. If your shipping scenario is simple and you are shipping few items per box, Pack & Ship can set up a default box size that will work most of the time.
Click here to see how to add boxes to your instance.
Click here to see how to set a default box size per user.
When you're in the Shipping screen > Step 3 (Package) in the Journey Bar, click the Overview tab at the bottom right. Here you see the default package type. You can easily override the package type by clicking the drop-down and choosing another option.
If your dimensions are bigger than the dimensions of your current box, you will get a message saying that the product volume is greater than the package volume.
The system will then automatically change the package type to the size box that will fit the item. Keep in mind the box dimensions on this screen directly impact how much the carrier charges you to ship it.
Note: As a user, you still need to make sure that the quantity of items will fit in the correct box.
Add/Edit Your Boxes
This is typically set up during implementation or anytime you change your cardboard. It’s a good idea to revisit a few times a year.
Navigate to Pack & Ship > Configuration > Common > Package Dimensions
Add an entry for every size cardboard you maintain. You determine what you call these (not what the carrier calls them). You may have a set group of items and only need to maintain a few packages. Or you might be very in depth and may have dozens of boxes. Let's define what these columns mean:
Length/Width/Height – These values equate directly to what the carriers will charge.
Dimension UOM gets converted to what we need to send to the carrier. (feet, inches, etc.)
Empty Weight – The weight of the cardboard; just the empty box.
Max Weight - If we’re going to help you predict what should go in that box, this is the maximum weight. Usually 75 or 150. 75 is max you can put in before you have to pay overages for a carrier. 150 is the max any parcel carrier will let you put in a box.
Weight UOM – Grams, Kilograms, Pounds, Ounces
Rate Package Type – This indicates what the carriers call each package option. You might call them something else in the Package Type field.
Custom is default (your packaging)
Each carrier has different options and those are listed here (Letter, 10kg, flat). There might be set fees based on what fits in a box. A carrier might also add additional fees based on weight.
Exclude from Cartonization - If you’re using our cartonization module, you might not want this option to be included. A pallet, for example.
Setting Up a Default Box Size for a User
Every user can set a default box size. What’s your most common? Maybe your items are standard, and you use a similar box size for every shipment. But maybe you need many sizes of boxes or types of boxes.
Navigate to Pack & Ship > Configuration > User Preferences > My Preferences.
Click the drop-down arrow in the Default Package Size field and make a selection.
The value you select here will automatically populate on the Overview tab in the Shipping screen:
Defining Boxes in Full Case Packing Mode
If in full case packing mode, the rules are different. It assumes every packing event is its own box; therefore, the package dimension set up no longer applies. Instead, it uses the dimensions you have set up for each item. To see how to set up an item’s dimensions, click here. Assuming that the item you defined is its own shippable unit, you don’t have to do double maintenance.
Setting Up an Item’s Dimensions
During implementation/setup, you can indicate dimensions for each product. This will come into play when you try to fit items into a box.
Pack & Ship > Configuration > Items > Items
Select an item and click Edit.
Enter the appropriate values in the dimension fields and click Save.
Cartonization
If you cartonize, we will predict how it has to be packed for you and provide a visual. Cartonization matches the most appropriate box sizes at your facility to the size and number of products in the order. Other details are factored into the calculation when you evaluate the order for packing, including:
Complexities regarding product fragility and/or mixing concerns.
Cost effectiveness of certain package types according to the pricing model of the selected carrier service. For example, it may be cheaper to pack items into multiple small boxes rather than a large heavy one.
Note that cartonization is available for an added fee. For complete details about this feature, speak with your TrueCommerce representative.
