Defining commonly used package types based on the store's products and customer orders simplifies the label-creation process as well as Checkout Ratings Smart Box Allocations. This guide outlines how to save package configurations, allowing for quick selection without repeatedly entering the dimensions for each shipment.
Steps to Manage Saved Packages
- Login to the ShipBlink dashboard page for your store.
- Click on the Saved Packages tab from the menu on the left side of the page → New Package on the right
- Enter the field values:
- Name of the package
- Dimensions (length, width, and height)
- Internal Dimensions is the actual dimensions that the package has available for packing
- External Dimensions are the overall dimensions that carriers would use for ratings.
- Maximum weight capacity of the package
- Empty weight of the package (without any items)
- Click the Saved Package button.
Once the package is saved, it will be available for selection during the label creation process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Packing Rules
For certain products, that either fit into only one box, or come in their own packaging - you may want to exclude those from Smart Box Allocation system, and let the system directly choose the Package you want it to be packed in.
In such scenarios, ShipBlink's Packing Rules play a great role where you could explicit mention the SKU which the Saved Package should automatically allocate (without any calculations). Currently, ShipBlink allocates 1 Saved Package for each quantity of the SKU.
FAQs
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How can I specify packaging material or add a buffer?
The difference between External Dimensions and Internal Dimensions would technically be the buffer for your packaging material. If your packaging material also adds weight to the package, you can use the "Empty weight" field to add those.
If the packaging material dimensional/weight buffer is dependent on the SKU item, it is recommended to add a buffer in the Ecommerce platform's weight/dimensions.
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Does Max Weight take Empty Weight into account during calculations?
No, Max Weight capacity is the capacity of the sum of item weights the package can hold. The Empty Weight is added to the predicted package.
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How do I exclude Saved Packages from Smart Box Allocation?
Simply disable the "Use in Smart Box Allocation" toggle on the Saved Packages page.
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How do Packing Rules co-exist with Smart Box Allocation?
Let’s understand this with the help of an example -
Customer adds 2 items to a cart - Item A (packs in Package 1), and Item B (regular product, no Packing Rules). ShipBlink will use Smart Box Allocation based on Dimensions/Weight for Item B only and use Package 1 to only pack Item A, as is.
This means while fetching rate quotes from the carriers, ShipBlink will send 2 Packages ⇒ Package 1 + Package X (Package assigned based on Weight/Dimension).
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Can ShipBlink work without Dimensions of the Line Items?
Yes! ShipBlink can work without Dimensions of the Line Items using it's "Actual Weight" Smart Box Allocation method. In this setup, you still have to mention the Saved Package dimensions, but the Line item and box prediction happens based on "Max Weight" capacities.
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System Limitations
ShipBlink deeply integrates with EasyPost for carrier integrations. That means if you're shipping extra large, LTL/Freight items (ie non-parcel sizes), you may have to double check if the Carrier supports such extra large shipments.
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Common setup issues
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Any one (or more) dimension of the Item is bigger than any of the Saved Packages.
In such a scenario, ShipBlink would simply not be able to predict a package as the item is bigger than any of the packages available.
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Weight of an Item is more than any of the Max weight capacity of the available Saved Packages.
In such a scenario, ShipBlink would simply not be able to predict a package as the item is heavier than any of the packages available.
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Any one (or more) dimension of the Item is bigger than any of the Saved Packages.