A multi-package shipment is a single shipment that contains multiple packages. The shipment will consist of a master tracking number with child tracking numbers for any additional labels. ShipStation allows you to configure each box with its own weight, dimensions, and insurance settings.
If an order needs to be contained in a single shipment but is too large or too fragile to fit into a single box, create a multi-package shipment.
A multi-package label will only count as one shipment when considering fees or shipment limits.
Not Supported by All Carriers, Browsers and Orders
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Some labels may be left blank when printing multi-package labels using certain FedEx services in the Google Chrome browser. To resolve this issue, preview and print the label using an alternate browser.
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For additional information about carriers, browsers, and orders that do not support multi-package see Notes About Multi-Package Labels.
To create a multi-package shipment:
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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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Repeat step 3 to add as many packages as you need.
Click the down arrow to add multiples of 5, 10, or 15 packages at once.
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Check the box to Save New Package Set if this is a package configuration you'll use again.
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Click Save Packages.
The number of packages for this shipment will be displayed in the package drop-down menu.
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.
Multi-package labels will print the same way they do for any other shipment; only there will be more of them. Each individual package will have its own tracking number and label, but there will be a master tracking number that will track all included packages. This master tracking number will appear in the Tracking # column for the shipment and will also be the tracking number sent to your marketplace and customer.
While each package will have its own tracking number, only the master tracking number will appear in the Shipments tab's Tracking # field.
See our Add Insurance to Shipments article to learn how to apply insurance for multi-package shipments.
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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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.