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How Packing Boxes work with Packing Rules

Optimize box selection and improve dimensional weight accuracy to avoid losing money on shipping.

Table of Contents

Overview

Accurate shipping rates depend on how your products are packed. ShipperHQ’s packing rules determine which boxes should be used for each order, helping you avoid overcharges and display precise rates at checkout.

This article explains how packing rules and box settings work together to display accurate shipping cost calculations.

Packing Rule Scenarios

  1. Products with a "Pack according to box rules" setting will consider all boxes selected under that rule, plus any boxes available for all products.

    This setup gives you flexibility and ensures boxes are chosen based on how items are actually packed, which helps keep shipping costs accurate.

  2. Products with a "Pack separately" setting will only use a box if explicitly selected in the rule. Other boxes, even if available for all products, won't change the behavior here. 
    This is ideal for fragile or oversized products where you need strict control over packaging and delivery costs.
  3. Products with a "Pack in multiple fixed boxes" setting will only use the boxes defined within the rule. External boxes are not considered.

    This helps maintain consistency and ensures your shipping rates are always precise for products that ship in multiple boxes.

Carrier settings and specific carrier assignments can influence the outcomes. For instance, a box marked as “available for all products” but assigned to a specific carrier will only be used when the cart conditions match that carrier.

Box Selection Examples

Example 1

  • Product assigned to a "Pack according to box rules" packing rule
  • "Box A", "Box B", and "Box C" are options in the rule
  • "Box X" and "Box Y" are not selected but are available for all products

Result: SHQ will evaluate Boxes A, B, C, X, and Y to find the best fit for the product.

Example 2

  • Product assigned to a "Pack according to box rules" packing rule
  • "Box A", "Box B", and "Box C" are options in the rule
  • "Box X" and "Box Y" are not selected and not available for all products

Result: SHQ will only consider Boxes A, B, and C. Boxes X and Y are excluded.

Example 3

  • Product assigned to a "Pack separately" packing rule
  • "Box A" is the selected packing box
  • "Box X" and "Box Y" are available for all products but not selected

Result: SHQ uses Box A exclusively. Box X and Box Y aren't considered. If Box A wasn't chosen, a default SHQ_CUSTOM box might be used to pack the item separately.

💡 Learn more.

Example 4

  • Product assigned to a "Pack into multiple fixed boxes" packing rule
  • "Box R" and "Box S" are selected for this rule
  • Other boxes aren't considered

Result: SHQ will pack using Boxes R and S.

Why Dimensional Shipping Matters

Choosing the right box type impacts your shipping accuracy, costs, and profit margins. Getting it right helps you:

  • Avoid carrier overcharges caused by incorrect package dimensions.

  • Display clear, reliable rates at checkout.

  • Automate rate calculations based on dimensional weight.


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