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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  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: 

  • unpacked

  • parcel

  • box (handling unit), 

  • crate (handling unit), 

  • pallet (handling unit),

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:

  • Carton

  • Box

  • Bag

  • Bale

  • Bunch

  • Bundle

  • Can

  • Case

  • Crate

  • Cylinder

  • Other

  • Pail

  • Pallet

  • Pieces

  • Reel

  • Roll

  • Totes

  • Tube

  • Unit

  • Drum

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

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Info

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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