Order boxing
Overview
Section titled “Overview”Order boxing allows you to define box sizes and have the API automatically calculate the most efficient packing configuration for your items. This is useful for eCommerce stores with many small items that need to be consolidated before shipping.
How it works
Section titled “How it works”- You define up to 5 box sizes with their dimensions
- When requesting a quote, items are consolidated based on total dimension and volumetric weight
- The system selects the smallest box (or combination of boxes) that can fit all items
- The quote is calculated based on the box dimensions rather than individual item dimensions
Box configuration
Section titled “Box configuration”Boxes are configured in your module settings (WooCommerce, Shopify, or Magento plugin) or can be sent as part of an API quote request.
Each box requires:
| Field | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
length | Box length | Metres (m) |
width | Box width | Metres (m) |
height | Box height | Metres (m) |
max_weight | Maximum weight the box can hold | Kilograms (kg) |
Packing logic
Section titled “Packing logic”The system uses the following logic to pack items:
- Calculate the total volumetric weight of all items
- Find the smallest box that can accommodate the items
- If items exceed a single box, distribute across multiple boxes
- Quote is generated based on the resulting box configuration
Examples
Section titled “Examples”- 1 item, 60kg volumetric weight, 20kg box limit → 3 boxes at 20kg each
- 3 items, 20kg total volumetric weight, 20kg box limit → 1 box at 20kg
- 3 items, 50kg total volumetric weight, 20kg box limit → 2 boxes at 20kg + 1 box at 10kg
Minimum fill
Section titled “Minimum fill”The minimum fill setting controls what happens when the last box in a multi-box shipment isn’t full:
- If the last box is filled below the minimum fill percentage, those items are quoted individually outside of boxes
- This can result in cheaper quotes when a few small items don’t justify an additional box
API usage
Section titled “API usage”Order boxing is typically configured through your eCommerce plugin settings. For direct API usage, include box configuration in your quote request. See the create booking endpoint for request format details.