Dimensional Packing: Configure Boxes to be Used for All Products

Overview

The most common use case in dimensional packing is to set up a cluster of boxes and have the system determine which box(es) to pack with based on the product(s) overall volume. (Best-fit packing)

However, sometimes the goal is for certain products to pack into any available box and for other products to pack into specific boxes.

Setup

Pack all products into any available box

If the intention is to use the system “Can be used to pack all products” automated feature across all products and all boxes, you can do this by selecting that option on all boxes. The system will use the dimensions/volume of product(s) to determine best-fit box.

Manually

One by one, edit each box, ensuring the “Can be used to pack all products” checkbox is selected.

Via CSV

Export boxes CSV

Set the “All products” column to Yes > re-import and you’re all set.

Pack specific products into specific boxes & remaining products into any available box

If the intention is to allow for certain products to pack into specific boxes, and for the remainder to pack into any other box, then the configurations will be slightly different. For that, you’ll need to utilize packing rules:

Create a rule for your specific products & boxes

  • Define the desired set of boxes that would be used to pack the specific products, and for each box ensure “Can be used for all products” is unticked or selected “No”
  • Navigate to packing rules > Create a rule and name it according to the types of products you wish to pack into the boxes you just created.
    • Select “Pack according to box rules” for Method of Packing
    • Under “Possible Shipping Boxes” add your newly created boxes to the list.
    • Assign the rule name to the desired product(s) in your eCommerce platform product configurations. Here is Magento for example.

Create a rule for all other products (optional)

  • Navigate to packing rule > Create a rule and name it “All Products” or something descriptive
    • Select “Pack according to box rules” for Method of Packing
    • Under “Possible Shipping Boxes” leave this blank—this will ensure default boxes from your box list are used (or boxes that have been checked “Yes” for “Can be used for all products”)
    • Select “Default this rule for all products” under the optional tab.
  • All is set from here as the system will use boxes from that rules automatically

Note: Products assigned to a “Pack according to box rules” packing rule will have all of the boxes that are explicitly selected on that rule + all boxes set to be available for all products. If you wish pack items separately into set boxes, you’ll need to use a Pack Separately or Pack into Multiple Fixed Boxes packing rule.

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