Smart PackingTM is a proprietary bin-packing algorithm that determines the best way to pack an helps shippers select the right box or pallet for every order. ShipHawk uses an item’s weight, dimensions,characteristics and business-specific rules to pack items into boxes and boxes onto pallets.
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It is recommended that you do the steps in the listed order.
ShipHawk Definitions
Item Type | The Item Type defines how ShipHawk packing and rating engines interact with a particular |
Unpacked (Recommended)
Unpacked is the most commonly used Item Type. Unpacked indicates that you want ShipHawk to try to Smart Pack this item. Unpacked Items may also be assigned an unpacked item type ID (an “Unpacked Item Type ID”). Unpacked Item Type IDs represent the packing characteristics of an item.
For example, a chandelier is more fragile than a brick. By default, all unpacked items are assigned a generic unpacked item type. Users may modify the unpacked item type ID associated with an Item or may save this information with the SKU details.
Item Type
The Item Type defines how ShipHawk packing and rating engines interact with a particular item. There are three item types: Unpacked, Parcel or Handling Unit. ShipHawk will not mix item types when proposing shipments.item. See Item Types. | |
Unpacked (Recommended) | Unpacked is the most commonly used Item Type. Unpacked indicates that you want ShipHawk to try to Smart Pack this item. Unpacked Items may also be assigned an unpacked item type ID (an “Unpacked Item Type ID”). Unpacked Item Type IDs represent the packing characteristics of an item. For example, a chandelier is more fragile than a brick. By default, all unpacked items are assigned a generic unpacked item type. Users may modify the unpacked item type ID associated with an Item or may save this information with the SKU details. |
Parcel | Parcel represents items that are already boxed and must be shipped with a parcel carrier. This is a rarely used item type that will not allow Smart Packing or Smart Rating to palletize or ship the item LTL. |
Handling Unit | Handling Unit is primarily used for LTL shipping. Handling Unit has types Box/Pallet/Crate and also contains Handling Unit Packages which describe what is contained in or on that Handling Unit. Unlike the Parcel item type; Handling Units MAY ship Parcel or LTL depending on the handling unit type (i.e. box vs. pallet), size and weight of the item(s). |
SKU | The term SKU is an abbreviation of the industry term stock keeping unit. SKUs are unique in ShipHawk. Organizations use a unique SKU code to identify items in their inventory and track sales. In ShipHawk a SKU can be an individual product or can be used to represent a Kit or Packaging Level. |
Kit | A group of SKUs that are sold as a single line item. |
Child SKU | The lowest / base packaging level E.g. SKU1 (1 unit) |
Parent SKU | A packaging level for a given Child SKU, usually represents some larger quantity of a given Child SKU. E.g. “Box of 10 - SKU1” (10 units) |
Product Sku Configuration
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Each item must be assigned an item type.
Starting with the 2023.1.0 release, ShipHawk has introduced a new Item Type structure to simplify the selection of Item Type yet provide more flexibility in defining how an item can be packed. See Item Types .
The item type describes how the item exists in your warehouse, and ShipHawk provides the following options in the User Interface:.
Unpacked: An individual item that requires packing before shipment.
Parcel: A box that can only be shipped using a parcel service. You cannot ship a parcel using LTL services. These items cannot be palletized.
Box: A shortcut for creating a Handling Unit Item Type with Handling Unit Type “Box” that can be shipped using LTL or parcel carrier. Smart Packing will not attempt to palletize items configured as “Box”. Do not select this option if you wish to palletize the item. Instead, use Unpacked with the unpacked item type ID for “Box”. This tells ShipHawk that the item itself does not require packing, and that it may be packed with other items into larger boxes or onto pallets.
Crate: A shortcut for creating a Handling Unit Item Type with Handling Unit Type “Crate” that can be shipped using an LTL or parcel carrier depending on the dimensions and weight of the item. Rarely used in ShipHawk. Only use if you explicitly know you are crating items.
Pallet: A shortcut for creating a Handling Unit Item Type with Handling Unit Type “Pallet”. When a Pallet is selected, the User can provide handling unit packages like Box, Drum, Carton, etc. which are used to accurately define the handling units displayed on the bill of lading. Pallets can only be shipped with LTL carriers.
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New Product Screen Reference
➤ Product data
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Field Name | Description | |
SKU | Provide a unique product identification code in this field. The SKU field is the only required field on this screen. | |
Name | Provide a descriptive name for your product. This name is the one most users will use to search your product. E.g. “wooden table” or “cotton/polyester t-shirt.” | |
UPC | Provide the product’s Universal Product Code (UPC) in this field. UPCs are assigned by GS1, a non-profit organization that sets standards for international commerce. | |
Description | Provide a description for the product that helps identify this item. E.g. “Wooden dining table with glass inset and metal mid-century style legs.” | |
Image URL | If an image of the product is hosted online, enter the URL in this field. | |
➤ Product shipping data
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Field Name | Description | |
Child SKU | If the current product SKU contains multiples of a child SKU, enter the SKU of that child product in this field. This child SKU is a lower packaging level than the product SKU currently being created. | |
Child SKU QTY | The number of child SKUs contained inside a single package of the parent SKU. | |
Child SKU QTY Min | The minimum number of child SKUs that must be purchased in order to ship using the parent SKU instead of the child SKU. | |
Price | Enter the retail rate or suggested manufacturer’s list price of this product in the Price field. Do not enter the sale price (which factors in discounts, etc.). | |
Ships Individually | Check this setting only if the product packs individually and ships in its own individual shipment. If checked, the system will create a separate proposed shipment for this item. NOTE This setting does not pertain to products that are packaged in its own box but can still be shipped in the same shipment as other items or packed with other items on a pallet. The item must have its own shipment. | |
Serialized/Lotted | Select this setting if your items are either serialized or lotted. This setting affects the behavior of pack verification during the item fulfillment workflow. | |
➤ Kit SKUs
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Field Name | Description | |
Show as one line item for customs | This setting shows the kit SKU only on customs documentation. It does not show the kit-components as separate line items on Commercial Invoices | |
QTY | The quantity of each kit-component/Kit SKU in this Kit. | |
SKU | The identifying SKU code for each kit-component/Kit SKU. | |
% of Total Value | The percent of the total kit value represented by the kit-component/Kit SKU. For customs purposes. | |
➤ Items
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Field Name | Description | |
Item Description | Enter a name for the item, such as “Left sectional” or “Center sectional.” | |
Price | Enter the declared value in the Price field. | |
Commodity Description | Enter a description to help identify the item. | |
QTY | Enter the quantity of this item. | |
Item Type | The item type describes how the item exists in your warehouse:
New fields appear when you select each option. | |
Unpacked Item Type | This field appears only if you select Unpacked in the Item Type field. Enter a word that describes your unpacked item type, such as “clothing” or “toy.” ShipHawk provides a list of options to select from. By matching your item to a provided unpacked item type, you enrich your item with shipping data that improves the way ShipHawk packs your item and your shipping workflows. You may leave the field blank. In this case, the default unpacked item type is set to generic unpacked item. Use this when you cannot find a match or choose not to select an unpacked item type. | |
Pkg QTY | This field appears only if you select a Handling Unit in the Item Type field. The number of containers on a pre-packed pallet. | |
Pkg Type | This field appears only if you select Pallet in the Item Type field. Select the type of container that is packed on this pallet. The options available are determined by your Available Piece Type settings and can include:
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Length / Width / Height | The dimensions of your item. | |
Weight | The weight of this item. | |
Freight Class | If your item may be sent by freight, enter the freight class in this field. | |
NMFC | If your item may be sent by freight, enter the NMFC code in this field. | |
ORM-D | Select this setting if an item cannot be shipped via air transport. NOTE Use this setting if you are shipping batteries. | |
Hazmat | Select this setting if an item contains hazmat components. | |
International Customs Data | Click on this link to access the Manage Customs Data screen. | |
➤ Manage Customs Data
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Field Name | Description | |
Country of Origin | Enter the country of origin or country of manufacture in this field. Clicking on the field allows you to select from a list of countries. | |
Destination Country | Enter the country your item is being shipped to. | |
Harmonization Code | Enter a 6, 8, or 10-digit code that tells customs what this item is as defined by the World Customs Organization. 8 or 10-digit codes that provide more detail about this item are highly suggested in order to ensure you are charged accurately for duties and taxes. You can add multiple harmonization codes depending on the country to which you are shipping the item in order to account for variance between harmonization codes in certain countries. NOTE ShipHawk does not perform duties and tax calculations. | |
Manually adding a new product to ShipHawk
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The following sections provide detailed procedures for how to import your product catalog using each of the listed methods.
See Also: Creating a New Product .
To manually add a product
You can access the new product creation screen in one of two ways:
Click the expansion button next to the Products link in the top menu of the ShipHawk dashboard.
Click the Create a New Product link. The Products screen appears. The new product creation window populates on the right side of the screen.
Complete the Product section of the new product creation window.
Enter a unique SKU number in the SKU field that is consistent with your organization’s naming convention.
Enter a descriptive name for the product in the Name field.
Enter the product’s UPC code in the UPC field.
Enter a description of the product in the Description field.
If your product contains any child SKUs, enter values for the child’s SKU, quantity, minimum quantity, and price per child item in the fields associated with child SKUs.
If you have an image of your product, enter the URL where the image is hosted in the Image URL field.
Select the Ships Individually check box if you wish to create a single package shipment for items where this setting is enabled.
If your product is serialized or lotted, select the correct option from the Serialized/Lotted field. Doing this will change how ShipHawk treats this item during pack-verification. Serialized/Lotted items must have a serial or lot #.
If your new product is a kit, complete the Kit SKUs section.
Click the + Add SKU link under the Kit SKUs section. New fields appear.
To show kits as a single line item for on ShipHawk generated commercial invoices, click the Show as one line item for customs field. If unchecked, all the kit-component SKUs will be listed on the commercial invoice.
For this SKU, select the number of this specific kit-component in the QTY field.
Enter the SKU number for this kit-component.
Enter the % of the total kit value this kit-component represents using the % of Total Value field. ShipHawk will calculate the individual values of each kit-component based on the sales price of the kit that syncs to ShipHawk.
If your kit has multiple child-SKUs whose SKUs differ from one another, click the +Add SKU link in the Kit SKUs section and repeat the preceding steps until complete.
To add items to your new product, complete the Items section.
Click the + Add Item button under the Items section.
Enter a description of your item in the Description field.
Enter a commodity description of your item in the Commodity Description field.
Enter the price of your item in the Price field.
Enter the quantity of this item in the QTY field. (1 is the default value of this field.)
Select the Unpacked option from the Item Type field. (Parcel is the default.) New fields appear.
Enter the unpacked item type into the Unpacked Item Type field. This field is relevant if you have enabled Smart Packing™.
Box (ID: itm_kEZnjabt in Production)- An item that can ship in its own packaging and does not require packing into another package before shipping, but MAY be packed into a larger box when other items are present or onto a pallet.
Generic Unpacked Item (ID: itm_g8z4CTW2 in Production) - Loose items that need to be “Smart Packed” before shipping.
Clothes (ID: itm_khNbfek5 in Production) - Items that can be rolled or folded from the original dimensions as stored in ShipHawk. Items must be less than 2” in height prior to packing.
Enter the item’s dimensions into the Length, Width, and Height fields.
Enter the item’s weight into the Weight field.
Select the correct freight class from the Freight Class field.
Enter the NMFC code into the NMFC field.
Select the Requires Crating field if the item must be packed into a crate for shipment.
Select the ORM-D field if your item qualifies as such.
Select the Hazmat field if your item qualifies as such.
Complete the new hazmat fields.
To add customs data to this item, click the International Customs Data link.
You will be redirected to the Manage Customs Data screen.
q. Complete the customs fields and click the Finish button to save. Your customs data is displayed in the Items section.
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When calculating proposed shipments, Smart Packing will always pick the smallest packing material (material containers), that can fit the items in the order. By default, Smart Packing algorithm will pick from the enabled boxes based on container size. However, there are certain instances when shippers may want to transform or modify a material container to optimize package size. Telescoping and Cut Down are two ways to transform containers to reduce package sizes. If Smart Packing is able to fit all items into a single material container that is less than three cubic feet, ShipHawk will recommend using that container for packing. Smart Packing will never try to transform material containers of less than 3 ft3. For larger shipments and packages, Smart Packing can be configured to automatically recommend that packers “cut down” larger boxes to reduce the package size, which may reduce shipping cost. This approach will recommend reducing the height dimension only, based on the common practice of cutting box edges and scoring sides to reduce box size. For more information, see Packing Material Transformations - Telescoping and Cut Down .
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Contact ShipHawk to identify the best approach for your business requirements. |
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Customers must request changes to these account settings through their ShipHawk support specialist. |
Setting | Description | |
Allow box telescoping | When this setting is enabled, Smart Packing will attempt to pack any oversized items with multiples of the same packing material to create a new custom packing material to pack the item. This process is called telescoping. The new telescoped box is still subject to the parcel weight limit of 150 lbs and any relevant dimension restrictions. | |
Allow boxes to be cut down | Allow the Smart Packing™ algorithm to suggest creating cut down boxes. A cut down box is made by cutting along the seams of a box and folding the resulting flaps down to make a smaller carton. This suggestion is given when the smallest available box is still too large along one dimension. This setting is optional and must not be enabled for businesses that are unfamiliar with or not set up for cutting down boxes. | |
Avoid creation of custom box | Avoid creation of custom boxes by packing algorithm. | |
Include material wrappers | Allow packing algorithm to add material wrappers (Bubble Wrap, Shrink Wrap). (OFF by default.) | |
Pallet edge offset | How far (in inches) packages should sit from the edge of the pallet to prevent overhang during packing. Default is 2. | |
Spike item aspect ratio | A spike item dictates what items qualify to be treated like spikes. Spike item aspect ratio allows you to change the value used for the length divided by width ratio. Default is greater than or equal to 10. | |
Spike item min length | Spike item aspect ratio allows you to change the minimum length to classify an item as a spike. Default is 24 (greater than 24 inches). | |
Max spike box aspect ratio | A spike box dictates what packing materials qualify to hold spike items. The maximum spike ratio that will be Smart Packed™. NOTE A Spike is an item whose length-to-width ratio resembles a javelin or “spike.” E.g. long tubes. Default value is 40.0 | |
Min spike box aspect ratio | The minimum spike ratio that qualifies as a spike for Smart Packing™. NOTE A Spike is an item whose length-to-width ratio resembles a javelin or “spike.” E.g. long tubes. Default value is 5.0 | |
Palletize when weight exceeds | The minimum weight of a shipment that can be palletized. Default value is 70 lbs. | |
Palletize when dimensional weight exceeds | The minimum dimensional weight of a shipment that can be palletized. NOTE Dimensional weight is a pricing method for freight that multiplies height by weight by width. Default value is 150 lbs. | |
Palletize when package count exceeds | When the algorithm produces more than the specified number of boxes, the app forces using palletized version and skips package version. | |
Allow ShipHawk to create Custom Boxes | When enabled, this feature will create boxes of any dimensions to fulfill packages, starting with your packing materials but filling any gaps. Rarely used. Consult support thoroughly before enabling. | |
Disable packing alg qty | This is a threshold that can be set for your account to disable the packing algorithm when exceeding a certain quantity of items in the request. Customers use this to simplify workflows as some product catalogs at certain quantities are simpler to fulfill when the system falls back to non-smart packing behavior (e.g. weight only rated proposed shipments). | |
Smart Packing Limitations
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