Dispatch Packaging
Manage shipping packaging materials — boxes, envelopes, and other dispatch containers.
Dispatch Packaging manages the shipping containers used to send orders — boxes, envelopes, tubes, and pallets. These are the outer packaging used for dispatch, separate from product packaging.
Dispatch PackagingOverview
The Dispatch Packaging page shows a catalogue of your shipping materials with dimensions, weight capacity, costs, and availability status.
Packaging types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Box | Standard shipping boxes |
| Envelope | Flat mailers and document envelopes |
| Tube | Cylindrical packaging for posters, prints, etc. |
| Pallet | Large-format shipping pallets |
| Insert | Packing inserts and fillers |
| Label | Shipping labels |
| Tape | Packing tape |
| Void Fill | Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, etc. |
Key fields
Each dispatch packaging item includes:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Descriptive name (e.g., "Large Mailer Box") |
| Type | Category from the list above |
| Internal dimensions | L × W × H in cm — what fits inside |
| External dimensions | L × W × H in cm — for carrier calculations |
| Weight | Packaging weight in kg |
| Max item weight | Maximum load capacity |
| Supplier & part code | Where you buy this packaging |
| Purchase cost | Bulk purchase price |
| Purchase quantity | Units per order |
| Active | Whether it's available in the Pack Station |
Calculated costs
The system automatically calculates:
- Cost per unit — Purchase cost ÷ purchase quantity
- Landed cost — Unit cost plus shipping allocation
- Use cost — Landed cost plus labour cost
These help you understand the true cost of each packaging option.
Managing packaging
- Create — Define new packaging with full specifications
- Edit — Update dimensions, costs, or supplier details
- Delete — Remove packaging types no longer used
- Toggle active — Enable or disable without deleting (controls visibility in Pack Station)
Packaging recommendations
The Pack Station uses your packaging catalogue to recommend optimal box sizes for consignments. Keeping accurate dimensions ensures the best recommendations.
Dispatch packaging vs. product packaging
Important distinction
Dispatch packaging (this section) covers shipping containers — what the order is sent in.
Product packaging (under Product → Packaging) covers the materials that wrap or contain the product itself — retail boxes, labels, bags.