Question regarding shipping and default packaging

[GMEShop]

Good day, question regarding shipping and default packaging, 

I simply five different sizes of one product type in two color variants all of which are prepackaged and need no extra packaging for shipping, 

Each of the five prepackaged offers has different dimensions and weights and selecting one efault packaging for all would result in wrong shipping cost calculation at checkout,

How do I ensure that shipping for each of the five offers is calculated accurately based on actual ordered product weight and dimensions please?

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

Shipping companies calculate shipping costs based on either the actual weight or volumetric weight of a package, whichever is higher.

To ensure accurate costs, I suggest setting a default package dimension with minimum dimensions and no weight. Instead, configure each product's weight considering its volumetric weight. This way, even if your package is small, the product's weight will accurately determine the shipping cost.

Disclaimer: This is a workaround solution.

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

Your understanding is correct. Go ahead and try creating a few shipments and check. If it's not accurate, you can cancel them. Trying a few shipments is essential to gain confidence and understanding.

You may need to consult the documentation for UPS and Canada Post. If issues persist, contact Shopify Support.

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

As long as you pay the accurate shipping costs, carriers should not have any problems.

[Mirdas]

It is not possible in Shopify by default. One workaround is to update the weight based on the volumetric or actual weight, whichever is higher.

Alternatively, you can use Multi Carrier Shipping Label app that supports box packing using multiple boxes.

[GMEShop]

Many thanks for your response Mirdas, much appreciated.

In case I wasn't clear, I only offer 5 different physical packages. 

If I select the largest size we offer as the default package size with 0 Kg weight, would the system then use the unique weight of actual pruduct ordered to determin a more accurate shipping rate? 

Alternatively, if I split variants into five offers, or five different physical size/weight, would each variant be able to have one default shipping package? 

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

Shipping companies calculate shipping costs based on either the actual weight or volumetric weight of a package, whichever is higher.

To ensure accurate costs, I suggest setting a default package dimension with minimum dimensions and no weight. Instead, configure each product's weight considering its volumetric weight. This way, even if your package is small, the product's weight will accurately determine the shipping cost.

Disclaimer: This is a workaround solution.

[GMEShop]

I truly appreciate the clear and prompt responses and support, Mirdas,

It is somewhat puzzling that although dimensions vary greatly, they have less effect than weight on shipping, to be sure, here they are:

TYPE	LENGTH Cm	WIDTH Cm	HEIGHT Cm	WEIGHT Kg	VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT Kg
10PC8.5X11	34	28	27	6	5.14
10PC8.5X14	42	28	28	6.8	6.59
10PC11X17	50	36	27	9	9.72
10PC18X24	68	53	27	15	19.46
8PC24X36	98	68	23	20	30.65

Should I use the smallest physical package we offer: 34cm x 28cm x 27cm as the default package dimensions with 0Kg weight and the highest of actual weight/volumetric weights for each offer and shipping rates would be calculated accurately?

Another question on shipping please: although both Canada Post and UPS are listed in “Shopify Shipping” under “Shipping and delivery” as providers, when I attempt an order/shipping test, I get shipping options excluding “Regular Parcel” by Canada Post and nothing by UPS:

• Is there a way to enable Canada Post Regular Parcel?
• How do I go about including UPS shipping options at checkout please?

Many thanks in advance

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

Your understanding is correct. Go ahead and try creating a few shipments and check. If it's not accurate, you can cancel them. Trying a few shipments is essential to gain confidence and understanding.

You may need to consult the documentation for UPS and Canada Post. If issues persist, contact Shopify Support.

[GMEShop]

Perfect, thanks Mirdas,

What about possible penalties imposed by carriers for stating the wrong dimensions (One Default Packaging Dimensions) on their shipping labels or is this automatically made up for by the input of the correct volumetric weight please?

Thanks,

[Mirdas · Accepted solution]

As long as you pay the accurate shipping costs, carriers should not have any problems.

[GMEShop · Accepted solution]

Thank you thank you!
Now facing another shipping challenge: one of the variations we offer is large: 129cm x 99cm x 10cm, 17.8Kg, volumetric weight : 25.54Kg which seems to be too large/heavy to have a shipping price "Shipping not available for selected addresses" on checkout by the only shipping provider offered: Canada Post, how do I go about fixing this please?

Many thanks