Information about the Box Sizes feature and alternative packaging options in the Real Time Shipping Quotes app for Shopify.
What Does the Box Sizes Feature Do?
The Box Sizes feature enables merchants to specify the sizes of the boxes they stock for shipping purposes. Before requesting a parcel or postal quote, the packaging algorithm identifies the correct box or boxes to use for the content of the Cart. The total weight of the box(es) and its (their) dimensions are provided to the parcel or postal provider so that penny-accurate shipping quotes are returned. There is an incremental cost of 3 cents each time the packaging algorithm runs.
Related documents:
What Is Dimensional Weight
Should I Enter Product Dimensions
Alternatives to the Box Sizes Feature.
If you don't want to use the Box Sizes feature, other packaging options are included as part of your Real-time Shipping Quotes subscription at no additional cost. These options appear at the bottom of the Box Sizes page (click on "Box Sizes" in the app's navigation menu) in the Packaging method when standard box sizes is disabled section. Each option is listed below, along with its tendency to quote higher or lower than actual shipping costs.
- Quote each item as shipping as its own package.
Each item in the Cart will be quoted as shipping as its own package. Unless orders are shipped this way, the shipping rate estimates using this method will tend to be high. - Quote shipping as all items are in one box.
All items in the Cart will be quoted as shipping in one box, and the shipping rate estimates will be based solely on weight. If the total weight of the Cart exceeds 150 pounds, it will be divided into multiple packages of equal weight. Shipping rate estimates using this method will tend to be low. -
Combine the weight of all items without dimensions and quote them as one package, while quoting each item with dimensions as shipping as its own package.
A hybrid of the other two options. Shipping rate estimates may be higher or lower than the actual shipping charges, depending on the contents of the Cart.
How to Enable the Box Sizes Feature.
- Using the Shopify Admin menu, click on Apps and then the DIY Real Time Shipping Quotes app.
- Click the Enable checkbox at the top of the Box Sizes page.
- Enter a Capped amount and a Notification email address. Shopify will send notifications to the email address if the capped amount reaches 80% usage.
Related document:
What is a capped amount? - Choose the Optimization mode. Most merchants prefer the option to minimize the number of packages. In most cases, this option will result in the lowest shipping rate estimates.
- Choose an option for the setting, Packaging method when standard box sizes is disabled. The Box Sizes feature can become disabled if the Enable checkbox is unchecked, or the Capped amount is reached.
- Follow the instructions in the User's Guide to add boxes and complete the set up of the Box Sizes feature.