Packages

Package configuration and management

Overview

Understanding package fields, dimensions, and weight calculations.

Packages represent the physical boxes or containers in your shipment. Each package needs dimensions and weight to calculate shipping costs accurately.

Package Fields

Field Format Description
Quantity Number Number of identical packages with the same dimensions and weight.
Length Number Longest side of the package in your configured units (inches or cm).
Width Number Second longest side of the package.
Height Number Shortest side of the package.
Weight Number Total weight in your configured units (pounds or kg).
Package Template Select Optional: Use a saved template to auto-fill dimensions and container weight.
Using Quantity
Set quantity > 1 when shipping multiple identical packages. For example, if you're shipping 5 boxes with 1 item each, set quantity to 5 and enter the dimensions for one box. This is faster than creating 5 separate packages.

Automatic Weight Calculation

The package weight can be calculated automatically in several scenarios:

From Line Items

When line items have unit weights, the total weight is calculated automatically based on quantities. You can still manually override if needed.

From Package Templates

If your package template has a container weight (tare weight), it's automatically added to the item weights. For example: Container weight (2 lbs) + Items (8 lbs) = Total package weight (10 lbs).

Manual Override

You can always enter a manual weight that will be applied to all quantities of packages. This overrides any automatic calculations.

Shippo Weight Rule
For manually overriding package weight in international shipments, Shippo requires package weight to be greater than or equal to the net weight of all line items. The precalculated weight is displayed as a placeholder to help avoid any errors.

Package Templates

Save time by creating package templates for boxes you use frequently. Templates can store:

  • Standard dimensions (length, width, height)
  • Container weight (automatically added to item weights)
  • Stackable flag
  • Notes for reference
Flexible Dimensions
Package templates don't have to include all dimensions. You can leave height blank for pallets and enter it when creating shipments based on how high you stack them. Learn more about Package Templates

Multiple Packages in a Shipment

You can add multiple packages to a single shipment when items ship together but in separate boxes:

Common Scenarios

Mixed Sizes 1 large box + 2 small boxes shipping together
Identical Boxes 5 boxes with the same dimensions (use quantity field)
Split Items Different line items in different boxes within one shipment

Distributing Line Items

When you have multiple packages, you can split line items across them. For example, if an order has 10 units of a product, you might put 6 units in one package and 4 units in another. Learn about splitting line items

Measurement Tips

Measure the Outside

Always measure the external dimensions of the package, not the internal dimensions. Carriers charge based on outer measurements.

Round Up

If dimensions aren't exact, round up to the nearest inch or centimeter. It's better to overestimate slightly than underestimate.

Consider Dimensional Weight

Carriers may charge based on dimensional weight (size) rather than actual weight for lightweight but bulky packages. Accurate dimensions ensure you get correct rate quotes.

Unit Consistency

Make sure your unit settings match your scale and measuring tools to avoid conversion errors.