Information about the Standard Box Sizes add-on and alternate packaging options in the Real-time Shipping Quotes app for BigCommerce
What Does the Standard Box Sizes Add-on Plugin Do?
The Standard Box Sizes add-on allows merchants to identify the sizes of the boxes they inventory 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 to using the Standard Box Sizes add-on plugin, which is described later in this document.
Related documents:
What Is Dimensional Weight
Should I Enter Product Dimensions
Alternatives to the Standard Box Sizes Add-on Plugin
If you don't want to use the Standard Box Sizes add-on plugin, other packaging options are included as part of your Real-time Shipping Quotes subscription at no additional cost. These options appear on the Quote Settings page of each integration enabled for parcel quotes in the Real-time Shipping Quotes app. 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, the total weight 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.
What Plans Are Available for the Standard Box Sizes Add-on?
After you enable the add-on, you'll pick a plan. Each plan is a 'wallet' that gets depleted each time a request for a packaging solution is requested. The available plans are as follows:
100 lookups per month - $5.00 (5 cents each)
250 lookups per month - $10.00 (4 cents each)
500 lookups per month - $15.00 (3 cents each)
1,000 lookups per month - $20.00 (2 cents each)
2,500 lookups per month - $25.00 (1 cent each)
What Happens if the Plan is Depleted Before the Renewal Date?
If the plan you select is fully depleted before the renewal date, the add-on will automatically renew and reset the monthly billing cycle for a new 30-day period. This ensures that the add-on is always operational. You should review your credit card statement to see how often your current plan is renewed. If you are charged two or more times, you may be able to lower your cost by upgrading your plan.
What Happens to the Unused Lookups When My Plan Renews?
Unused lookups expire at the end of a monthly billing cycle. If you're on the $5/month plan and only use 80 of the 100 lookups by the renewal date, you will have 100 lookups available for the new billing cycle after the renewal.
How to Enable the Standard Box Sizes Add-on.
- Using the BigCommerce Admin menu, click on Apps and then Real-time Shipping Quotes by Eniture Technology.
- In the app's navigation menu, click on Shipping Providers if it isn't already selected.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Shipping Providers page, where the Add-ons section resides.
- Click the Enable button in the Standard Box Sizes tile.
- Once enabled, "Standard Box Sizes" will appear at the bottom of the app's navigation menu, in the Add-ons section.
- Use the instructions in the app's User Guide (Standard Box Sizes Add-on) to add the boxes you keep on hand for shipping.