Use Shipping Packages to help you to fulfil the order and calculate shipping cost.
When you're fulfilling an order, you need to choose a package that matches the type that you want to use. You can define as many packages are you want and select them when fulfill your orders.
Most carriers charge by size and weight, so it’s important to keep your packaging small. When you're ready to buy a shipping label for your shipment, you can choose which one of your saved packages you want to use.
Supported package types
You can use the following package types to ship your products:
Box
A regular package.
Soft pack
A padded envelope, bubble mailer, or plastic (Tyvek or Poly) sleeve. Keep in mind, packages thicker than 3/4 inches don't qualify for USPS First Class Mail rates.
Envelope
A large, flat envelope no thicker than 3/4 inches.
For flat rate or predefined package rate, learn more about Predefined Package Rate.
Note: If your store is based in the United States, then you can request a free USPS shipping kit to get you started. The Domestic Flat Rate Variety Pack includes small (1) , medium (2), and large (1) boxes, which you can use to ship both domestic and international orders. If your store is based in Canada, then visit Canada Post's packaging best practices guide for more packaging tips.
Free packaging materials
Many carriers offer free packaging to use with specific shipping rate. Although there is no cost for the packaging, you might need to create a free account with the carrier so that they can send the packaging to you. The following Shopify Shipping carriers offer free packaging:
Product Weights
If you want to charge your customer an exact cost of shipping, you need to include accurate weights for your products so that your customers are charged the correct amount for shipping. Accurate product weights also ensure that you're charged correctly with you use shipping providers integration.
After you've added weights to your products, make sure that your packaging weights and dimensions are also accurate. Most carrier-provided packaging comes with dimensions advertised on the box.
Dimensional weight
Your default package dimensions are sent to your shipping carrier along with your order's weight to calculate shipping rates for your customer. Dimensional weight is determined by the carrier based on the height, width, and depth of your packages. Dimensional weight applies to some shipping services when a package's total length x width x height exceeds 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches).
If your dimensional weight is larger than your order's weight, then your customer is charged for the dimensional weight of their order. If you think that the generated rates are too high or too low, then you can adjust your calculated rates to increase or decrease your shipping rates as needed.
Dimensional weight calculations vary between carriers. Consult the carrier you're using for details about their dimensional weight policies.
Carriers with dimensional weight policies:
Carriers without dimensional weight policies:
Shipping Packages List
Navigate to 'omniCommerce \ Shipping \ Shipping Packages' to add new shipping packages or manage existing ones.
Create or Edit Shipping Package
Navigate to 'omniCommerce \ Shipping \ Shipping Packages' and click Create to create a new shipping package.
- Select shipping provider for this package. In our example, we use Easypost.com integration.
- Give it a friendly Name.
- If you want to use predefined package, enter the name here.
- Select a type of the package.
- Set Default if it is a default shipping package for your orders.
- Enter weight and size of the package if you want to include it into shipping rate calculations.
- Click Save.
