Multi-package shipments are necessary when trying to ship orders that don't fit in one box or when needing to separate delicate items from the rest of the order. ShipHero supports multi-package shipments and provides various options for your operations.
It's important to note that each carrier has their own parameters and limitations regarding multi-package shipments. Some carriers allow multiple package requests to be sent in a single API call, while others only allow a single package to be sent per API call, and some carriers do not support multi-package shipments at all.
NOTE: TikTok and UPS Mail Innovations do not support multi-package shipment requests and will throw an error if attempted to be used.
This article goes into detail about multi-package shipments via the Packing App and Shipping.shiphero.com packing interfaces including:
- How to Create a Multi-Package Shipment
- Using Cheapest for Multi-Package Shipments
- Carrier Integrations and Multi-Package Limitations
NOTE: Multi-package API calls are not currently supported in the newest wholesale release, all label requests are sent individually. And, although you can process multi-package shipments using Bulk Ship, using a cheapest shipping method for a multi-package bulk ship batch is not supported; you will receive an error if attempted and be directed to change the shipping method of the affected order or remove it from the batch.
How to Create a Multi-Package Shipment
- Scan or select the items for the first box.
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Select the box type and confirm dimensions.
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Click the (+) next to the package to start your next box and repeat steps 1 and 2.
- Repeat steps 1-3 as needed until the entire order is packed.
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Print invoice and labels as needed, then select Complete order.
Using "Cheapest" for Multi-Package Shipments
ShipHero allows the use of "Cheapest" shipping methods while shipping with multi-box shipments for all native carrier connections.
When using a cheapest shipping method for a multi-package order labels are quoted at the package level and then added together. The system then selects the cheapest option provided by a single carrier for all packages combined.
IMPORTANT: ShipHero does not currently offer the ability to quote "cheapest" using different carriers for each box in the order.
Example
- Box A quoted $6.00 UPS and Box B is $5.00 UPS = $11.00 total for UPS
- Box A quoted $8.00 FedEx and Box B quoted $4.00 FedEx = $12.00 total for FedEx
In this scenario, the system will print all the labels for UPS because as a whole it is the cheapest option.
Carrier Integrations and Multi-Package Limitations
The following chart outlines the different parameters and limitations for each carrier that supports multi-package shipments. Please note the behavior described below is when the carrier and the shipping method is pre-selected before generating labels; these behaviors do not apply when a carrier is auto-selected using a cheapest shipping method for a multi-package shipment.
Things to Consider:
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Max Packages per call: is a metric pulled form the carriers API documentation. The limit of labels that can be generated at once within ShipHero may differ from what the carrier allows. If there are too many packages included in a single call there is a possibility of the request timing out and returning an error.
If you're experiencing issues with large multi-package shipments, please contact ShipHero support for guidance on best practices based on real-world performance data.
- Label/Package Tracking: The grouping notes are to assist in explaining the voiding capabilities for multi-package shipments for each carrier some information may be surfaced on the labels but most commonly are only referancable when reviewing the code of the calls and requests.
| Carrier/Max Packages per call | Integration Notes | Label Cost Distribution | Label/Package Tracking | Requirements when Voiding Multi-package Shipments |
| UPS/200 | Multi-package not supported for Mail Innovations | Combined cost for all packages reflected on the first label, all others will reflect $0.00 cost. |
Individual tracking number per package. Grouped by a shared Shipment ID. |
All labels must be voided at once. |
| FedEx/100 | SmartPost does not have a Master ID grouping for multi-package shipments. | Each package reflects the cost received from FedEx's API. |
Individual tracking number per package. Grouped by a shared Master ID. |
Labels can be voided individually. |
| Canpar/50 |
Multi-package must be enabled by ShipHero's Support team. If not enabled, multi-package shipments are sent as individual requests. |
Flag enabled: Combined cost for all packages reflected on the first label, all others will reflect $0.00 cost. Without the flag enabled: Each package gets own cost. |
Individual tracking number per package, with or without the flag enabled. Packages >90 lbs generate a tracking and overweight label. |
Labels can be voided individually, with or without the flag enabled. |
| DHL Express/999 | Separate API call sent per package. | Each package reflects its own cost. |
Individual tracking number per package. No grouping relationship. |
Voiding not supported; DHL Express has a pay on scan system. Trying to void returns a 200 Error. |
| APC &Globegistics/99 |
Multi-package call attempted first. If a 153 error is received, the system auto-fallsback to individual calls. |
Only considers first package weight. May provide inaccurate rates for multi-package shipments with varying package sizes. |
Individual tracking number per package. No grouping relationship. |
APC labels can be voided individually. Globegistics labels cannot be voided. |
| Veho/10 | Each package reflects its own cost. |
Individual tracking number per package. Grouped by a shared Veho shipment ID. |
Voiding 1 label voids all labels in the shipment. All labels must be voided at once. |
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Sendcloud/ 20 V2 |
Separate API call per package. | Each package has its own cost. |
Individual tracking number per package. No grouping relationship. |
Labels can be voided individually. |
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Purolator/ Total weight must be<150 lbs.
|
Shipments >150 lb must be shipped freight. |
Cost split evenly between all packages. |
Individual tracking per package. No grouping relationship. |
Labels can be voided individually. |
Carrier Limitations Continued: One package per API request
The following carriers do not support multiple packages in a single API request, instead ShipHero requests them as individual API calls for multi-package shipments:
- DHL eCommerce
- Endicia
- USPS Modern
- FirstMile
- Canada Post
- Uni Uni
For these carriers, labels are still generated and will reflect the package sequence (e.g., 1 of 3, 2 of 3). Key features include:
- Each label has its individual cost and tracking number.
- Labels can be voided separately without affecting other labels in the order.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR Uni Uni and Sendcloud Users: Uni Uni and Sendcloud have an auto-cleanup when multi-package requests are sent to them. If ANY label fails within the request, then ALL successful labels are automatically voided before raising an error.