How to create multi-package labels with carriers that support this feature.
A multi-package shipment is a single shipment that contains multiple boxes. 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 and Browsers
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If the multi-package icon is not present for the selected carrier, use the Create Another Shipment option to create additional labels after you create the first shipment.
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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.
ShipStation University Preparing Orders for Shipping Course
If learning by doing is more your style, take the ShipStation University Preparing Orders for Shipping course. The lesson videos will show you the different ways you can configure your shipments as well as how to split orders into multiple shipments or combine multiple shipments into one.
To create a multi-package shipment:
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Click the plus sign + 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 + is not present next to the package drop-down, that means the selected carrier does not support multi-package shipments.
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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 next to the package drop-down menu.
To modify any packages on this shipment, click the plus sign + 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.
See our Add Insurance to Shipments article to learn how to apply insurance for multi-package shipments.
Send Multiple Tracking Numbers To Your Customers
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.
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 Multiple-Package Shipping pop-up.
You cannot currently edit existing package sets, but you can delete them by clicking on the Apply Package Set menu and clicking the X icon next to the set name. Once deleted, the name can be used with a new package set.
The process for multi-package labels differs slightly in ShipStation Legacy.
Multiple Labels for a USPS Shipment
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.
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.
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
-
Dimensions for each component package
-
The weight for each component package
-
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.
Package Descriptions Cannot Be Customizes
At this time, the descriptions for Package #1, Package #2, Package #3, etc cannot be customized.
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.