I know this is years too late, but I worked at FedEx before I started my business. If it’s 3 separate boxes, it’s 3 separate pieces the shipper has to ship. It seems like what you want is to ship 3 boxes for the price of one, and that’s just not how it works. The shipper has to move 3 boxes so they expect to get paid for 3 boxes.
Topic summary
Core Issue:
Merchants need to split single orders into multiple shipping boxes while ideally maintaining one tracking number and avoiding inflated costs from purchasing separate labels.
Native Shopify Solutions:
- Use the “…” menu on the order page and select “split fulfillment” to divide items across multiple shipments
- Alternatively: Open order → Create Shipping Label → set quantities to zero for items not in current box → repeat for each package
- These methods generate separate tracking numbers per box, which some users find acceptable while others consider it problematic
Key Limitation:
Multiple boxes typically require multiple labels and tracking numbers. One user clarifies this reflects actual shipping logistics—carriers charge per box moved, not per order.
Third-Party App Recommendations:
- InXpress Shipping Rates: Supports batch shipping with multiple packages under one tracking number
- ShipBlink: Handles multi-package label generation and custom parcel boxes
- SKUSavvy: Integrates with Shopify for multi-box orders with single tracking labels
- FedEx Shopify app: Automates packing based on weight/dimensions
Community Consensus:
The built-in split fulfillment feature works for basic needs, though third-party apps offer more sophisticated multi-package handling for complex shipping requirements.