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Definition and example of master cartons

If you purchase merchandise in bulk, typically from overseas, it is very important that you pay attention to how it is packaged for shipment to you.

• How many individual units are in a carton?
• How many cartons are in a Master Carton?
• What is in a shippable carton/box and what is in retail packaging or loose and must be “pick and packed” into a shipping box?

Master Cartons should only include 1 type of individual SKU inside (multiple SKU numbers in 1 Master Carton is called a “Mixed Case”) to make it easier to break down and ship individuals. A Mixed Case or carton with more than one type of SKU in it isn’t subject to Master Carton lot break pricing. Breaking down mixed SKU “kit” or “mixed case” master cartons may result in hourly special project charges when separating into individual shippable unit

Here is an example of what we are talking about. You may have paid for 16 eaches, but they come packaged 4 to a carton, with 2 cartons to a master carton.

But the big question is: how will you ship it to your customers? Shipwire can’t just store the master cartons, and sometimes ship 1 each, and sometimes ship 1 carton. That would complicate your inventory, with you not knowing how many are left in a carton. Instead, we require you to divide your inventory into shippable groups. The example below shows you breaking this inventory into 2 cartons, and 8 eaches.

You must set up two unique product IDs, or SKUs (stock keeping units). In this case, you choose BOT1 for a single bottle, and BOT1C4 for the carton of four. Note that you have configured BOT1 as a pick and pack, because you want Shipwire to always package this item before shipping it to a customer. You have configured BOT1C4 as a “lick n stick”, because you want Shipwire to use the existing box.
 

Defining the master carton

When you give advance notice of incoming merchandise, you will tell Shipwire that you are sending 8 single bottles, and 2 cartons of four.

Then when you want Shipwire to ship a single bottle, you will place an order for BOT1. When you want Shipwire to ship a carton, you will place an order for BOT1C4.

Shipping a master carton that is not a kit

If you are sending a case containing different SKUs (either units or smaller inner cases) and do not wish to keep it as a kit, it will be broken down when it is received by the warehouse and its contents will be inventoried. In this case you do not include KEEP AS KIT on the label. Labeling for this type of shipment has specific requirements.

See our label specifications for this type of case.
 

Automated breaks – master carton and individual unit handling

Note: This feature is now available in our LA, PA, HK, and UK warehouses. More warehouses are planned in coming months.

Save a lot of money by sending your inventory to Shipwire in wholesale bulk quantities and packaging (master carton); but, maintain the ability to ship B2B (wholesale, master carton) and B2C (individual unit shipments).

Automated breaks allow you to keep all you inventory as wholesale and let Shipwire decide when to “break bulk” to ship your individual Shipment.

What Qualifies: Master Cartons with a single type of SKU inside. “Kit” cartons (multiple SKU types inside) must be broken down using our special project handling to ensure proper labeling and inventory management.

Here is how it works: As single unit B2C orders come in for a particular SKU, Shipwire will first look for loose inventory. If there is no individually counted inventory available, Shipwire will look for the same SKU in bulk/wholesale packaging. When present, Shipwire will automatically convert the cases into single unit inventory. As orders are shipped normal item count handling charges apply.

Bulk Shipment Optimization: If Shipwire receives an order that can be more efficiently configured by pulling from Case SKUs (assuming available inventory), Shipwire will use these to minimize the number of items being shipped. Shipwire will charge you only for the number of items processed in the optimized order.

To enable this feature: Please contact customer support to have your products quickly reviewed for system setup and Bulk – Individual association. Once enabled by Shipwire team, you will see new automation options in your Account under Shipping Preferences.

1. Enable Automated Lot Breaks - allows you to keep all you inventory as wholesale and let Shipwire decide when to “break bulk” to ship your individual Shipment. Shipwire will charge you only for the number of items processed in the optimized order.
2. Enable Bulk Shipping Optimization - if Shipwire receives an order that can be more efficiently configured by pulling from Case SKUs (assuming available inventory), Shipwire will use these to minimize the number of items being shipped. Shipwire will charge you only for the number of items processed in the optimized order.

This is referred on the site as: Automated Lot Breaks, Automated Break Lots, lot breaks, B2B lot breaks, wholesale shipping, B2C shipping, and master carton breaks.
 

How does all this affect my pricing?

From a pricing perspective, it doesn’t matter whether you want to send a customer five units of BOT1, or five units of BOT1C4. In either case, you are shipping five items, and you will need a Shipwire monthly plan that supports this. However with careful planning you can save a significant amount of money: instead of shipping 20 of BOT1 to your customer, you can ship 5 BOT1C4. Your customer receives the same quantity of merchandise: 20 red bottles. Meanwhile Shipwire handles your merchandise more efficiently, which saves you money with a smaller monthly plan!
 

When do I configure my account?

When you notify Shipwire of incoming merchandise, you list the exact product IDs and quantities you are sending. Shipwire then inventories your merchandise as you specify. This means that you need to do all your planning and packaging before sending merchandise.

Important Note: Plan ahead, having your manufacturer build your cartons and cases is much more cost effective than asking Shipwire to do it when the inventory is received. Failing to plan and package bulk items before sending merchandise to Shipwire will result in hefty special project fees and delays to your receiving (hourly costs + materials + sample shipments to you) to build up cartons at the point of receiving. Once products are received and inventoried you will incur per item outbound item fees and special project fees to build inventory into larger lots or cartons. To avoid these Special Project fees, Shipwire highly recommends you work with your supplier on packaging and send us bulk items in the ASN. You save significantly by sending Shipwire cartons in the original ASN and then allowing us to “break open” a carton into individuals for individual unit shipments (fees may apply). If you have questions about this please talk to Shipwire before sending us merchandise.
 

Can Shipwire split my inventory on an order by order basis?

No, Shipwire can’t just store the master cartons, and sometimes ship 1 each, and sometimes ship 1 carton. That would complicate your inventory, with you not knowing how many are left in a carton. Instead, we require you to divide your inventory into shippable groups at the time of receiving.