Table of Contents
Packaging Features
Packaging Features in ShipStream are items that can be added to a shipment during packing to help ensure that packages are packed in a specific way, using specific supplies, or to collect data and more. There are five types of Packaging Features which are:
- Containers
- Supplies
- Data Collection
- Instructions
- Infill
Create a Packaging Feature
- Navigate to Shipping > Packaging Features.
- Click Add Packaging Feature at the top right.
- Choose which Merchant will "own" this Packaging Feature.
- Select a Packaging Type according to your needs.
- Containers - These are items that can contain your products for shipping or some special purpose designations like nylon straps.
- Supplies - These are used in situations that require special tape, packing material, stickers, etc. The packer will be notified of which supplies to use and how much.
- Data Collection - Use this type to collect data from the packer about the items being packed such as serial numbers, net weight, etc.
- Instructions - Prompt the packer with special instructions for packing. You can specify when and how often these instructions appear to the packer.
- Infill - This packaging type is used not only to indicate to the packer which type of infill to use and how much, but it also makes sure that space is reserved in the container by the Packing Solutions.
Once a packaging feature has been created successfully, it will be available when selecting products for an order, and can be viewed in the Packaging Features grid.
Using Packaging Features
Although you can do so, Packaging Features are not meant to be added to an order along with the other order items which would cause them to have to be picked with the other items. Instead, they are applied to shipments at the time of packing. They can be applied to an order in one of three ways:
- Setting one of the "Always Apply" or "Never Apply" attributes of the Packaging Feature.
- Selecting the Packaging Feature in the Special Supplies or Other Special Features attributes of a product that is on the order.
- Using Other Shipping Options to apply them on a per-order basis.
Each type has some special attributes in the Packaging tab. The following attributes apply to all types:
Allow for Warehouses
If specified, this packaging feature will only be applicable to the selected warehouses. If empty, it will be applicable in all warehouses.
Use this if you keep different subsets of your containers in stock in different warehouses.
Allow for Merchants/Brands
If specified, this packaging feature will only be applicable to the selected merchants/brands. If empty, it will be applicable to all merchants/brands.
This is commonly used for things like branded boxes, tape or infill.
Disallow For Merchants/Brands
If specified, this packaging feature will not be applicable to the selected merchants/brands.
Billing Amount
The amount that will be billable for the consumption of one unit of this packaging feature.
Containers
Containers are applied to shipments by the Packing Solutions system, or on-the-fly by the packer during packing by scanning the container's barcode.
On the Packaging tab while creating or editing a Container you will find the following attributes:
Container Style
This tells the system which type of algorithms and special cases to apply to a container.
Satisfies Overbox
If No, this container will not be considered valid for products that have Requires Overbox: No.
For example, this should be No for psuedo-containers that represent things like manufacturer's packaging, nylon straps, etc. It is recommended to create a barcode sheet or affix barcodes near a packing station so the user can scan the barcodes for these special-purpose "containers".
Use for Bin Packing
Choose Yes to allow this container to be considered as an option when resolving Packing Solutions or No to disallow its usage.
Choose Fallback Only if the container should only be considered an option if none of the containers that are a Yes can fit the item. This option is often most appropriate in cases where the container is only useful for edge-case items.
For example, a very long, skinny box may be useful for long, skinny products like poles, but should not be used for short items even if it has the least amount of void space. Fallback Only allows you to avoid misuses of such containers while still allowing automatic application when appropriate.
Allow for Shipping Methods
If specified, this packaging feature will only be applicable to the selected carriers/shipping methods.
This can be useful for things like carrier-supplied packaging such as FedEx OneRate.
Weight Capacity
Specify the maximum allowed weight of the container, including tare weight. This will ensure that it is not overloaded with heavy items and potentially damaged during transit.
Flexible Container Dimensions
This feature is useful to accommodate the need to submit custom dimensions for a container at the time of packing in cases where the exact dimensions are not known beforehand but are still important to capture. Examples include pallet heights for LTL or telescoping boxes.
The dialog in the screenshot below will appear after tapping Full in the Packing UI. If the user chooses to Confirm Later, the dialog will appear again the next time the Full button is pressed and the user will not be allowed to tap Finished Packing until they have confirmed the dimensions.
Additional Handling Surcharge
This indicates if the Packaging Surcharge (see Rate Shopping) is applicable for this container. Typically this is a non-standard container such as one that is a cylinder, made of non-fiberboard material, has protrusions, is non-conveyable, etc.
Supplies, Data Collection, Instructions
There are many ways to apply these Packaging Features to an order:
- Packaging Feature attributes:
- Always/Never Apply to Goods Type
- Apply Unless Container Meets HazMat Specs
- Product attributes
- Other Special Features or Special Supplies
- Advanced
Infill
Please see Infill as this Packaging Feature applies exclusively to the Packing Solutions system. If you have infill items that you would like to apply without using Packing Solutions you can specify them as Supplies but space for them will not be reserved automatically by the Packing Solution algorithms.
