Shipment Processing
Shipment processing manages the creation, fulfillment, and tracking of outbound and inbound shipments. This guide covers the complete shipment workflow.
Overview
Shipment processing enables you to:
- Create shipments from orders
- Process single and multi-package
- Manage ship-from locations
- Generate documentation
- Track fulfillment status
- Handle exceptions
Accessing Shipments
Navigate to Shipping → Shipments to manage shipments.
Understanding Shipments
Shipment Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ship-from address |
| Destination | Ship-to address |
| Packages | Items being shipped |
| Carrier | Shipping carrier |
| Service | Delivery method |
| Documents | Labels, customs |
Shipment Status
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Draft | Being created |
| Ready | Ready to ship |
| Shipped | In transit |
| Delivered | Completed |
| Exception | Issue occurred |
| Cancelled | Voided |
Shipment Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Outbound | Shipping to customer |
| Inbound | Return/vendor receipt |
| Transfer | Between locations |
| Drop Ship | Direct from vendor |
How-To Guides
How to Create Shipments
From Sales Order
- Open sales order
- Click Create Shipment
- System populates:
- Ship-to address
- Items to ship
- Shipping method
- Verify details
- Add package info
- Generate labels
Manual Creation
- Go to Shipping → New Shipment
- Enter details:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Ship From | Origin warehouse |
| Ship To | Destination address |
| Carrier | Select carrier |
| Service | Service level |
- Add packages
- Verify and process
Shipment Example
Shipment: SHP-2026-0892
Source: Sales Order SO-2026-1234
Ship From:
Main Warehouse
123 Industrial Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Ship To:
John Smith
456 Oak Street
New York, NY 10001
Carrier: FedEx Ground
Service: Home Delivery
Packages:
├─ Package 1: 10 lbs, 12x10x8 in
└─ Package 2: 5 lbs, 8x6x4 in
Total Weight: 15 lbs
Est. Delivery: Jan 25, 2026How to Process Multi-Package Shipments
Adding Packages
- Create shipment
- Click Add Package
- For each package:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Contents
- Repeat for all packages
- Process shipment
Package Details
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | Package weight |
| Length | Longest side |
| Width | Second dimension |
| Height | Shortest dimension |
| Contents | Items included |
| Value | Declared value |
Multi-Piece Shipment
Shipment: SHP-2026-0893
Package 1/3:
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Dims: 18x14x12 in
- Tracking: 794644790101
Package 2/3:
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Dims: 12x10x8 in
- Tracking: 794644790102
Package 3/3:
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Dims: 10x8x6 in
- Tracking: 794644790103
Master Tracking: 794644790100How to Manage Ship-From Locations
Multiple Warehouses
Configure ship-from:
- Go to Settings → Shipping → Locations
- Add warehouse addresses
- Set default location
- Configure rules
Location Selection
Determine ship-from by:
- Inventory availability
- Proximity to destination
- Shipping zone
- Manual selection
Location Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Address | Physical address |
| Contact | Warehouse contact |
| Hours | Operating hours |
| Carriers | Available carriers |
| Cutoff | Daily cutoff time |
How to Handle Special Shipments
Hazardous Materials
For hazmat:
- Flag items as hazmat
- Select proper service
- Generate required docs:
- Shipper declaration
- Labels/placards
- Safety data sheets
- Ensure compliance
Oversized Shipments
For large items:
- Enter accurate dimensions
- System identifies oversized
- Select freight service
- Generate BOL
- Schedule pickup
International Shipments
For international:
- Enter destination country
- Complete customs info:
- HS codes
- Item descriptions
- Values
- Country of origin
- Select duties payment
- Generate customs docs
- Process shipment
How to Process Batch Shipments
Bulk Processing
Process multiple:
- Go to Shipping → Batch Processing
- Select orders to ship
- Verify carrier/service
- Click Process All
- Labels generated
- Shipments created
Batch Workflow
Select Orders → Verify Details →
Rate Shop (optional) → Process Batch →
Generate Labels → Print All →
Mark ShippedHow to Handle Returns
Return Shipments (RMA)
- Create return authorization
- Generate return label
- Send to customer
- Track inbound shipment
- Process received return
Return Label Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-Paid | Company pays |
| Collect | Customer pays |
| QR Code | Scannable code |
| Digital label |
How to Manage Shipment Exceptions
Exception Types
| Exception | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Address Issue | Invalid address | Correct and retry |
| Delivery Failed | Cannot deliver | Contact customer |
| Damaged | Package damaged | File claim |
| Lost | Package lost | File claim |
Handling Exceptions
- View exception alert
- Review details
- Take corrective action
- Update shipment
- Notify customer
How to Cancel/Void Shipments
Void Before Pickup
- Open shipment
- Click Void
- Confirm cancellation
- Label invalidated
- Charges refunded
After Ship
After pickup:
- Cannot void automatically
- Contact carrier
- Request intercept
- Process manually
Advanced Features
Automated Shipping
Hands-off processing:
- Auto-select carrier
- Auto-generate labels
- Auto-send notifications
- End-of-day manifest
Shipping Rules
Configure automation:
- Weight-based carrier
- Destination-based service
- Value-based insurance
- Customer preferences
Split Shipments
Ship partial orders:
- Select items to ship
- Create partial shipment
- Track remaining
- Notify customer
Consolidated Shipments
Combine orders:
- Same destination
- Combine packages
- Reduce shipping costs
- Single tracking
Best Practices
📦 Processing
- Accurate weights
- Correct dimensions
- Proper packaging
- Same-day shipping
📋 Documentation
- Complete addresses
- Customs accuracy
- Required documents
- Proper labels
⚡ Efficiency
- Batch processing
- Automated rules
- Rate shopping
- Streamlined workflow
📊 Quality
- Address validation
- Package verification
- Carrier comparison
- Exception handling
Configuration
Shipment Settings
Navigate to Settings → Shipping → Shipments:
- Defaults - Default values
- Automation - Auto-processing
- Validation - Address checks
- Notifications - Alerts
Processing Settings
- Batch Size - Max per batch
- Cutoff Time - Daily deadline
- Auto-Ship - Enable automation
- Manifest - End-of-day
Document Settings
- Packing Slip - Include/format
- Customs - International docs
- Labels - Format/size
- BOL - Freight docs
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Shipment not creating
- Verify all required fields
- Check address valid
- Review carrier available
- Check inventory
Cannot add package
- Verify weight entered
- Check dimensions valid
- Review service limits
- Check shipment status
Batch failing
- Review error details
- Check individual orders
- Verify carrier status
- Process manually
Cannot void shipment
- Check if already shipped
- Verify within timeframe
- Contact carrier if needed
- Check permissions
Next Steps
Learn about Shipment Tracking to monitor delivery status in real-time.
