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Australia Post Packaging Rules & Box Allocation Issues – Shopify Australia Post Shipping App with Rates, Labels & Tracking FAQs

    Correct packaging rules and box allocation for accurate shipping rates

Questions in this section:

Can I use my own custom packaging with the Australia Post Rates and Labels App, or does it only support standard Australia Post packaging?

The Australia Post Rates and Labels App supports custom packaging setup along with the Australia Post flat rates boxes/satchels. You can configure your own boxes in the App Packaging Settings by using the box Packing Method and provide the correct weight and dimensions for your boxes and products. Once done, you will also have to provide correct weights and dimensions to your products. Dimensions to the products can be updated in the App Products page. This allows the app to automatically select the appropriate packaging for each shipment, rather than restricting you to standard Australia Post packaging.

Can the app automatically suggest or select the appropriate packaging to use for an order?

Yes, the app can automatically choose the best box to pack items for an order depending on each product's weight and dimensions. When products and boxes are configured correctly in the app, it matches items to the best-fitting box using an internal packing algorithm. For more information on how the app's box packaging strategy works, refer to the instructional video provided: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdt2hqF6wRU Please contact PluginHive support for more clarification.

How can I change the default package size when fulfilling an order if the app isn't picking up my package sizes from Shopify shipping settings or the app's default packaging?

To change the default package size and use your configured boxes for label generation, follow these steps: 1. Go to the app and navigate to Settings > Packaging Settings. 2. To use your specific boxes, change the packing method to "Box Packing Method." 3. Click on "Edit Packaging Settings" and select "Box Packing Method." 4. Here, you can define your boxes by using the "Add Box" option. 5. Once boxes are added, these will be used for order fulfillment and label generation. This ensures your specified boxes are applied during the shipping label creation process. Reach out if you need further assistance with this configuration.

How can I change the packaging selection from “own packaging” to another option in the PluginHive app?

To change your packaging selection in the PluginHive app from “own packaging” (Weight Based packing) to using Box Packing (either your own boxes or Australia Post provided boxes), follow these steps: 1. Navigate to App Settings -> Packaging. 2. Click on Edit. 3. Select the “Box Packing” option and either enable the available Australia Post Boxes or add your own Boxes in the list for selection. 4. For each product, go to Products -> Click on the Product Name -> Add the exact dimensions of the product -> Save. 5. After configuring, create a new order to check packaging and rates before generating the shipping label to ensure the changes are effective. These steps will help you control how packaging and shipping rates are calculated for your orders.

How can I configure the app to ship multiple items from an order in the same box instead of printing a separate shipping label for each product?

To pack multiple items in one box and avoid separate shipping labels for each product, configure the app's packaging settings as follows: 1. Navigate to App Settings > Packaging in the PluginHive app. 2. Choose one of the following packaging methods: – Weight-Based Packaging: Set a Max Weight per box. The app will pack items together based on their total weight and split the contents into boxes if the total order weight exceeds the Max Weight. – Box Packing (Recommended): Add accurate weights to your products in Shopify and dimensions for each product under the Products section in App. Then define your custom or carrier boxes in Packaging. The app will automatically select the most suitable box based on your settings, ensuring optimal packing and accurate label generation. 3. Refer to the PluginHive documentation for step-by-step guidance: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/set-up-shopify-australia-post-rates-labels-tracking-app/#australia_post_packaging 4. For further assistance, contact PluginHive support.

How can I prevent the app from auto-generating labels for Australia Post branded packaging when we are using our own packaging?

You can disable Australia Post Carrier Boxes in the app settings to prevent automatic label generation for Australia Post branded packaging. To do this, go to the Packaging section and select Box Packing. From there, disable the Australia Post Carrier Boxes option. Labels will then be generated based on the weight and dimensions you have configured for your own products and packaging. You can add your own boxes in the list so that the app uses them instead of the Australia Post boxes. If you need step-by-step guidance, you can refer to the following tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdt2hqF6wRU.

How can I prevent the PluginHive app from assigning the wrong packaging or extra packages in the future?

To ensure accurate packaging and avoid items being packed into the wrong boxes, we kindly recommend reviewing the packaging settings and making sure that: The box details are correctly configured under packaging settings, and Each product is updated with the correct weight and dimensions. This will help the PluginHive app accurately identify the products and apply the most suitable packaging for each order, minimizing any errors during label generation.

How can I reduce the shipping cost if the app is packing my order into multiple boxes?

If the app automatically splits your order into multiple packages due to size or quantity, you can manually edit the packaging using the Single label generation process with the app. With this process, you can: 1. Review the packaging assigned by the app for your order. 2. If it's possible to fit all items into a single box, manually edit the package details in the app to consolidate items into one package. 3. Proceed to generate the shipping label, which should reflect the cost for a single package. Ensure that the selected packaging size can safely accommodate all items to avoid shipment issues.

How can I set it so that orders are always packed in a small box or small satchel instead of being automatically assigned to a medium box?

To ensure all orders are packed using a small box or satchel instead of a medium box, follow these steps: 1. Open the PluginHive app and go to Settings → Packages. 2. Disable all other packaging options except the Small Box or Satchel, then save the changes. 3. Navigate to the Products tab in the app and ensure all products have the correct dimensions that fit within the small box or satchel. 4. If needed, use the Export/Import option under the Products section to bulk update product dimensions. Once configured, the app will automatically use the small box or satchel for packaging, ensuring consistent rate calculations and label generation.

How can I update my packaging details in the PluginHive app?

To update your packaging details in the PluginHive app, follow these steps: 1. Go to App Settings in the PluginHive dashboard. 2. Click on the Packaging section. 3. Select Edit. 4. Choose your preferred Packing Method. 5. Make the necessary changes and save your updates. If you need help with any specific aspects of packaging, provide those details for further assistance to the PluginHive support.

How do I add a new product to the PluginHive app and ensure it is packed in the correct box?

Once your product is set to Active status in your store, it will be automatically imported into the PluginHive app. To ensure it is packed in the correct box: 1. Wait for the product to appear in the app once it's Active. 2. Go to App → Products and select the new product. 3. Add the accurate dimensions for the product. 4. Make sure your custom boxes have the appropriate dimensions in App Settings → Packaging. The app uses these dimensions to select the most appropriate box for shipping the product.

How do I add another package or box in the app to handle orders with multiple products?

To add another box in the app, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to App Settings. 2. Go to Packaging. 3. Select Edit. 4. Click on Add Custom Box. Make sure to configure the box dimensions so that it can hold multiple product quantities as needed. When set up correctly, the app will automatically select the appropriate box for each order based on the number and size of items purchased.

How do I add another packaging option, such as custom boxes or Australia Post provided satchels/boxes, in the PluginHive app?

To add another packaging option in the PluginHive app, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to App Settings in the PluginHive app. 2. Go to the Packaging section. 3. Click on the Edit option next to the current packing method. 4. Choose "Box Packing" as your method if you want to add custom boxes or Australia Post supplied options. 5. Select "Add Custom Boxes," then enter the details for your new boxes or satchels. 6. Click Save to apply the changes. Switching to box packing allows you to define your own packaging types tailored to your shipping needs.

How do I configure new custom boxes for a new product and connect them to that product in the PluginHive app?

To configure new custom boxes for a new product in the PluginHive app, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to App Settings → Packaging. 2. Click “Edit,” then select “Add Custom Box.” 3. Enter the details for the new box and click “Save.” 4. Once the new product is Active and imported into the app, go to App → Products. 5. Click on the product name for your new product. 6. Add the required dimensions to the product. The app uses product dimensions to determine which box is used for packing during fulfillment. You cannot directly assign specific boxes to individual products, but by correctly setting product dimensions and box specifications, the product will be packed in the appropriate box.

How do I configure the app to use small bags instead of the default weight option for packaging?

To change the packing method to use custom small bags (box packing) in the app: 1. Navigate to App Settings in the PluginHive app. 2. Go to Packaging Settings. 3. Click on Edit. 4. Select the Box Packing method. 5. Add a Custom Box with your preferred dimensions (you can use bag dimensions instead of box). For detailed instructions, you can refer to this setup article: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/set-up-shopify-australia-post-rates-labels-tracking-app/#box_packing

How do I verify which product dimensions are affecting box packing for a specific order?

To identify which product dimensions are impacting box packing for an order: 1. List all products in the order and check their dimensions in the PluginHive app. 2. Compare each dimension (length, width, height) to the dimensions of the enabled boxes in your Packaging settings. 3. If a product’s dimension exceeds the box’s limit (e.g., a product is 10 cm high but the box’s height limit is 7 cm), it won’t fit in that box. 4. Adjust the product dimensions if appropriate, or choose a box that fits all products. 5. After making changes, re-check the order in the app to ensure it packs all products into the intended box size.

I have added multiple custom boxes (1kg, 2kg, 3kg) in the PluginHive app, but there is no specific option to select a box for international shipping. All my items are small and can fit in one box, but I still can't get rates at checkout. What should I do?

The PluginHive app selects the most suitable box from your configured options based on item size and weight. While there is no dedicated setting to choose a box solely for international shipping, you should: – Ensure your largest custom box can contain all items in a typical international order. – Remove or adjust smaller boxes if they cause the app to split items into multiple packages for a single order. – Double-check your product weights and dimensions so items will be assigned to the same box. If you continue having trouble, test a checkout with an international address to confirm which box is being selected. The app should use your configured box for the transaction. If issues persist, consider contacting PluginHive support for a live walkthrough or troubleshooting session.

What could cause a product to be allocated to a larger box instead of the custom-sized box we set up?

If the product dimensions are set exactly the same as the box dimensions, the packing algorithm may not allocate the product to the intended box due to lack of tolerances or potential rounding issues. It's recommended to ensure that product dimensions are slightly smaller than the box to allow for proper packaging assignment.

Why are my AusPost labels sometimes splitting items into two boxes and causing higher label costs, even though all items are under one warehouse location?

When generating AusPost labels, items can be split into multiple boxes due to packaging settings within the PluginHive app, not because of their warehouse location. This often occurs if: – The 'Weight Based Packing' method is used with the 'Volumetric Weight' option enabled. – Custom products are present that are not supported by certain packing methods. To resolve this: 1. Change the packing method to 'Box Packing' for more accurate packaging and rate calculations. – Go to App Settings → Packaging → Edit → Select 'Box Packing' method. – You can add your own custom boxes or use Australia Post provided boxes in this section. 2. Disable the 'Volumetric Weight Option' if using Weight Based Packing, as this can incorrectly split products into multiple packages. 3. Ensure all products have accurate dimensions for precise packaging. – Navigate to the Product section in the app. – Click on 'Export' to download the product CSV file. – Add dimensions (length, width, height) to each product in the CSV. – Save and import the updated file back into the app. These changes will ensure that items are packed in a single box when appropriate, and shipping rates are accurately reflected on the AusPost label.

Why can't the product "Biochar Soil Improver" be packed in Box B automatically for order fulfillment?

The product "Biochar Soil Improver" cannot be packed in Box B automatically because its dimensions (36x10x47 cm) exceed those of all available boxes, including Box B, which measures 32x22x26 cm. Since at least one dimension of the product (length 36 cm and height 47 cm) is larger than Box B's corresponding dimensions, the system does not select Box B for packaging and instead opts for a custom box. To ensure the product is packed in the desired box, review and update either the product or box dimensions in your settings so that the product fits within the intended box size.

Why is my Australia Post label app rejecting an order as a bundle when I have not set up a bundle for those items?

The rejection occurs because the order has two packages selected individually for each product, due to the "Pre-Packed" option enabled in your products section in the app. When this option is enabled, each product quantity is packed in its own box. If the combined package weight of one item exceeds the maximum allowable limit for the selected packaging type (e.g., B30 has a 5 kg limit), label generation will fail. Review your packaging strategy and ensure that package weights and types align with Australia Post’s requirements. If needed, consider packing items in separate boxes or updating the packaging settings in the app to prevent exceeding package limits.

Why is the PluginHive packing system not selecting the correct packaging, and how can I troubleshoot this issue?

To troubleshoot packaging selection issues in PluginHive, review the specific order where the incorrect packaging was chosen. Incorrect packaging selection may occur due to configuration issues like missing product dimensions, incorrect box settings, or enabled pre-pack options. To investigate further, please share the order ID where you noticed this issue. You can also contact PluginHive support with detailed order information and screenshots of your box settings for accurate assistance.

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