A multi-package shipment is a single shipment that contains multiple packages. The shipment has one master tracking number, with a child tracking number for each additional package. ShipStation lets you configure each box with its own dimensions, weight, insurance, and item allocation.
A multi-package label will only count as one shipment when considering fees or shipment limits.
Multi-Package improvements introduce item allocation — the ability to specify exactly which items go in which box. Previously, ShipStation only knew the total weight and dimensions of each package. Now it knows the contents of each one, giving warehouse staff clear packing instructions and enabling accurate per-package documentation.
To create a multi-package shipment:
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Open an order and go to the Order Details screen.
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Click + Add Package next to the Package drop-down in the Configure Shipment Widget or the Order Details screen.
ShipStation will open the Multi-Package Shipment editor.
If the carrier service does not support multi-package shipments, a warning will display in the Multi-Package Shipment editor.
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Set the dimensions, weight, and insurance options for the first package.
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Click Add Package to add another package, or click Duplicate to add a package with the same shipping options.
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Allocate items to each package — see the Item Allocation section below.
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Optionally, tick Save as Package Set to save this configuration for future use.
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Click Save Packages.
To modify any packages on this shipment, click + Add Package to reopen the Multi-Package Shipment editor.
Click Create + Print Label to print all associated labels for the multi-package shipment.
Note: If the selected carrier does not support multi-package shipments, a warning will appear in the drawer.
Item allocation is the process of telling ShipStation which items go in which box. It is the most important step in creating a multi-package shipment — it ensures warehouse staff know exactly what to pack, and it is the foundation for accurate packing slips and customs documentation.
When you open the Multi-Package Drawer, all items on the order appear in an unallocated items list on the left. Your packages appear on the right. Allocation means moving each item from that list into the correct package.
Until items are allocated, ShipStation does not know what is in each box — only its dimensions and weight.
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Drag an item from the list and drop it into the package it belongs to on the right. The item moves from the unallocated list into that package.
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For items with a quantity greater than 1 — for example, a quantity of 3 — you can split them across packages:
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For items with a quantity greater than 1 — for example, a quantity of 3 — you can split them across packages:
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Drag the item into a package and use the quantity selector to set how many go in that package (e.g. 2).
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Drag the same item again into a second package and set the remaining quantity (e.g. 1).
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The quantities across all packages must add up to the total item quantity on the order.
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Repeat until every item has been allocated to a package.
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Once all items are allocated, the unallocated list will be empty.
If any items remain unallocated when you save, ShipStation will show a warning. You can still save and create a label, but it is strongly recommended to allocate all items before proceeding.
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You do not need to match the allocated weight exactly to the package weight you entered — the package weight is used for rating, and allocation is used for documentation.
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If you apply a Package Set, the package structure (number of boxes, dimensions, weight) is pre-filled, but you still need to allocate items manually. Package Sets define the boxes, not what goes in them.
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If you make a mistake, you can drag items between packages or back to the unallocated list at any time before saving.
To use packaging recommendations, you must have at least one custom package configured (with dimensions and max weights). Additionally, ensure product package or item dimensions and weight are filled in (if item dimensions/weight are missing, the system uses package dimensions and weight). See our Packing Recommendations guide for more details.
To use a packaging recommendation:
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On the Order Details screen, review the packaging recommendation shown.
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If the recommendation looks correct, click Accept. ShipStation opens the Multi-Package Drawer pre-filled with the suggested package split and item allocation.
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Review the pre-filled allocation, adjust if needed, then click Save Packages.
You can ignore the recommendation at any time and configure packaging manually.
If a product has a special packaging rule (for example, "ships alone"), the recommendation will respect that rule and split accordingly.
If you regularly enter the same multi-package details over and over, consider using a Package Set to apply those details using fewer clicks.
A package set is a group of component packages that can include:
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The number of component packages
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Dimensions for each component package
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The weight for each component package
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An insured value for each component package
The set will automatically be assigned to the shipment and then be available to apply to future shipments under the Apply Package Set drop-down.
To apply a package set, choose the saved Package Set from the Apply Package Set drop-down in the Multiple-Package Shipping pop-up.
Delete a Package Set
You cannot currently edit existing package sets, but you can delete them. Once deleted, you can use the name with a new package set.
To delete a package set, click the Action menu next to the package set you want to delete. Then click Delete and confirm the deletion.
If you regularly enter the same multi-package details over and over, consider using a Package Set to apply those details using fewer clicks.
A package set is a group of component packages that can include:
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The number of component packages
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Dimensions for each component package
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The weight for each component package
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An insured value for each component package
The set will automatically assign to the shipment and then be available to apply to future shipments under the Apply Package Set drop-down.
To apply a package set, simply choose the saved Package Set from the Apply Package Set drop-down in the Ship Multiple Packages pop-up. The following GIF illustrates the process.
You cannot currently edit existing package sets, but you can delete them by clicking on the Apply Package Set menu and clicking the blue X icon that appears when you hover over a package set in the list.
Once deleted, the name can be used with a new package set.
The process for multi-package labels differs slightly in ShipStation Legacy.
To create a multi-package shipment in ShipStation Legacy:
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Find the order for which you need to ship multiple packages and view it in the Order Details screen or the Shipping Sidebar.
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Choose a service from a supported carrier.
Once you select a service, you will see a "+" icon to the right of the Package drop-down menu.
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Click the + icon.
A new window will open to allow you to add packages to the shipment. Any relevant weight and dimension details from the Order Details or Order Sidebar will be transferred into the first package of the Ship Multiple Packages pop-up.
To add more packages, click Add a Package.
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Repeat the process of adding packages until you’ve created all the component packages needed for the shipment.
ShipStation will automatically add the weights you enter for each package together when you view the order on the Order Detail screen or in the Order Sidebar.
Click Create Label to print all associated labels for the multi-package shipment.
Multi-package Tracking Numbers
While each package will have its own tracking number, only the master tracking number will appear in the Shipments tab's Tracking # field.
There are a few ways to apply a package set to a shipment. You can
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apply a package set to a single shipment,
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apply and modify a package set on a single shipment, or
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apply a package set on multiple shipments at once (in bulk).
To apply a package set to a shipment:
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Open the desired shipment and go to the Order Details screen, or check an order on the Orders grid and go to the Shipping sidebar.
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Click the Package dropdown and find the package set you want to use.
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Here is how it looks in Order Details in the Configure Shipment Widget:
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Here is how it looks in the Shipping sidebar with an order selected on the Orders grid:
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There are 2 ways to apply and modify a package set on a single shipment:
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Open the desired order and go to the Order Details screen, or check a shipment on the Orders grid and go to the Shipping sidebar.
Either method leads to the Multi-Package Shipment popup.
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Open the order's Order Details and click + Add Package in the Configure Shipment Widget:
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Check an order on Orders grid and click the plus sign
by the Package field in the Shipping sidebar:
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Click Apply Package Set the Multi-Package Shipment popup and select the desired package set.
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Duplicate, delete, or make changes to the dimension, weights, and add or modify insurance values on any package.
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Click Save Packages to apply your changes to the shipment.
To apply a package set on multiple shipments at once (in bulk):
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Select the orders on the Orders grid that you want to update.
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Choose one of 2 methods you can use: Shipping Sidebar or Bulk Update Button.
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Shipping Sidebar:
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Choose Package from the Bulk Update dropdown.
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Choose the Custom Package Set from the Package menu that you want to use.
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Bulk Update Button.
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Click the Bulk Update button in the toolbar menu, then choose Package.
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Choose the Custom Package Set you want to apply to the orders, then click Update Selection.
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Your changes will now appear in the orders you bulk-updated.
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UPS® Ground supports multi-package shipping. When you ship a Ground package with your UPS from ShipStation account, you access discounts of up to 10% off.*
*Discounts off UPS rates on ShipStation. Rates are limited to shipping from the U.S. only. Rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.
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FedEx One Rate® shipments do not support multi-package shipping options.
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USPS does not currently support multi-package labels. To see how to create multiple labels for a single order using USPS services, review our Split Orders into Multiple Shipments guide.
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You can only apply 1 package set to a shipment at a time. However, you can add more packages to a shipment that initially had a predefined package set applied.
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The multi-package option is not applicable for return labels. If you require return labels in this scenario, consider splitting the order into multiple shipments to generate a return for each order.
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ShipStation's shipment notification email will include only the master tracking number. To send the additional tracking numbers to your customers, you must do so outside of ShipStation.
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You cannot customize descriptions for Package #1, Package #2, Package #3, etc for multi-package labels.
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The Rate Browser will show rates for multi-package shipments. The icon will be visible on orders with multiple packages.
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If you need to void a label for a multi-package shipment, you must void the master tracking number. This cancels all the child labels in the shipment. You cannot void an individual label within the multi-package shipment. You must then create a new multi-package shipment to generate labels and tracking numbers for each package.