Multi-Package Labels

Updated September 18, 2026 21:23

A multi-package shipment is a single shipment that contains multiple packages. ShipStation lets you configure the dimensions, weight, insurance, and items included in each package.

Each package receives its own label and tracking number. A multi-package shipment counts as one shipment toward your plan's shipment limit.

Carrier and Service Limitations

Multi-package shipping availability and package limits vary by carrier and service.

Carrier or Service	Limitation
USPS	Does not support multi-package labels. To ship an order in multiple USPS packages, visit Split Orders into Multiple Shipments.
UPS	Supports up to 20 packages per shipment.
Fedex	Supports up to 100 packages per shipment.
FedEx One Rate	Does not support multi-package shipments.
DHL Express	Supports up to 999 packages per shipment.

Create a Multi-Package Shipment

To create a multi-package shipment:

Go to Orders and select the Order #.
Select + Add Package next to the Package drop-down in the Configure Shipment.
Enter the dimensions, weight, and insurance options for the first package.
Select Add Package to add another package, or click Duplicate to copy the current package configuration.
Allocate items to the appropriate packages. See Allocate Items to Packages for more information.

Optional: Select Save as Package Set to save the package configuration for future shipments
Select Save Packages.
Select Create + Print Label to create the labels for the shipment.

Configure Multi-Package Shipments

After you add multiple packages to a shipment, you can assign order items to individual packages, use Packaging Recommendations to recommend a package configuration, or apply a saved Package Set.

Allocate Items to Packages

Item allocation specifies which order items are included in each package. Allocating items helps provide accurate packaging and shipment documentation.

To allocate items:

Select + Add Package to open the Package Configuration window from the Order Details screen.
Under Order Items, drag an item to the package it will ship in.

For an item with a quantity greater than 1, adjust the quantity before dragging the item to a package.
Repeat these steps until you have allocated the items to the appropriate packages.
Select Save Packages.

Item Allocation Notes

The weight of the allocated items does not need to match the package weight. ShipStation uses the package weight to determine rates.
You can move items between packages or return them to Order Items before saving.
Applying a Package Set configures the packages but does not allocate the order items. You must still assign items to their packages.

Use Packaging Recommendations

ShipStation can recommend how to split an order into multiple packages based on the items in the order. When a multi-package recommendation is available, it appears on the Order Details screen and suggests the number of packages and how to allocate the items

Requirements

Before using Packaging Recommendations:

Enable Packing Recommendations in ShipStation Labs.
Configure at least one custom package with dimensions and a maximum weight.
Configure the package or item dimensions and weight for your products.

To use a packaging recommendation:

Open the order to the Order Details screen.
Select Package Recommendation.
Select Run next to Packing Recommendations.
Make any necessary changes, then select Save Packages.

Note: You can ignore a packing recommendation and configure the packages manually. Packing Recommendations also account for special packaging rules, such as an item configured to ship alone.

Use Package Sets

Package Sets let you save a group of package configurations to reuse for multi-package shipments. A Package Set includes package details such as dimensions, weight, and insurance.

Create a Package Set or apply an existing Package Set to a shipment.

Apply a Package Set to a Shipment

To apply a package set to a shipment:

Select + Add Package next to the Package drop-down in the Configure Shipment.
Select Apply Multi-Package Set, then select the Package Set you want to use.

Note: Package Sets configure the packages but do not assign order items. You must assign items to the appropriate packages.
Assign the order items to the appropriate packages, then select Save.

Apply a Package Set to Multiple Shipments

To apply a Package Set to multiple shipments:

Select the orders from the Orders grid.
Select Bulk Update > Package.
Select the Package Set you want to apply, then select Update Selection.

You can apply only one Package Set to a shipment. You can add additional packages after applying the set

Multi-Package Shipment Notes

A multi-package shipment counts as one shipment toward your plan's shipment limit.
To void a multi-package shipment, void the master tracking number. This voids all labels associated with the shipment. You cannot void an individual package label.
The Rate Browser displays rates for multi-package shipments.
Return labels do not support multi-package shipments. Use Split Orders into Multiple Shipments to create a separate return shipment and label for each package.
Shipment notification emails include only the master tracking number.