Split Shipments

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Overview

The Split Shipment feature allows you to divide a fulfillment order into multiple separate fulfillment orders. This is useful when you need to ship different items from the same order separately, each with its own Australia Post shipping label and tracking number.

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What Are Split Shipments?

Split shipments allow you to take a fulfillment order and create one or more additional fulfillment orders from it. Each new fulfillment order can then be processed separately with its own shipping label, package, and tracking number. All fulfillment orders remain linked to the original customer order in Shopify.

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How It Works

1. Select Orders: On the shipping labels page, select 1-2 fulfillment orders you want to split
2. Open Split Modal: Click the Split shipment bulk action button
3. Choose Items: In the modal, select which line items (and quantities) to split into a new fulfillment order
4. Create Split: Confirm the split to create new fulfillment orders
5. Create Labels: After splitting, you can create separate shipping labels for each fulfillment order

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When to Use Split Shipments

Split shipments are ideal when:

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Weight Constraints

• Exceeds Weight Limits: Total package weight exceeds 22kg (domestic) or 20kg (international)
• Large Items: Items are too large or heavy to ship together efficiently
• Multiple Packages: Order requires multiple packages due to size or weight

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Fulfillment Timing

• Partial Stock: Some items are in stock while others are on backorder
• Different Ready Dates: Items become available at different times
• Pre-orders: Mix of available items and pre-order items with different release dates

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Shipping Requirements

• Different Services: Items require different shipping speeds (standard vs. express)
• Special Handling: Some items need special packaging or handling
• Separate Tracking: You need separate tracking numbers for different items

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How to Split a Fulfillment Order

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Step 1: Navigate to Shipping Labels Page

1. Open the app in your Shopify admin
2. Go to the Shipping Labels page
3. You’ll see a list of fulfillment orders ready to be fulfilled

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Step 2: Select Orders to Split

1. Use the checkboxes to select 1-2 fulfillment orders you want to split
2. The Split shipment button will appear in the bulk actions bar at the top of the table
3. Note: You can only split a maximum of 2 orders at once

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Step 3: Open the Split Modal

1. Click the Split shipment button in the bulk actions
2. A modal will open showing the selected orders and their line items
3. Orders that cannot be split (single item with quantity 1) will show a warning badge

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Step 4: Select Items to Split

1. For each order, check the boxes next to the line items you want to split into a new fulfillment order
2. Adjust quantities using the quantity field (if needed)
3. The quantity cannot exceed the remaining quantity for that line item
4. You must select at least one item to proceed

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Step 5: Confirm the Split

1. Review your selections in the modal
2. Click Split Fulfillment to confirm
3. The page will refresh and you’ll see the new fulfillment orders
4. Each fulfillment order can now have its own shipping label created

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Step-by-Step Guide

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Requirements and Limitations

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Orders That Can Be Split

• Orders with multiple line items can always be split
• Orders with 1 line item can be split if the quantity is greater than 1
• Orders with 1 line item and quantity 1 cannot be split (shown with a warning badge)

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Selection Limits

• You can select 1-2 fulfillment orders at a time for splitting
• If you need to split more orders, process them in separate batches

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After Splitting

• The original fulfillment order and new fulfillment order(s) will both appear on the shipping labels page
• Each fulfillment order can be processed independently with its own shipping label
• All fulfillment orders remain linked to the original customer order in Shopify

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Common Use Cases

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Use Case 1: Weight Limit Exceeded

Scenario: Customer orders multiple heavy items that together exceed Australia Post’s 22kg domestic weight limit. Solution:

1. Select the fulfillment order on the shipping labels page
2. Click Split shipment
3. In the modal, select items that together are under 22kg
4. Split to create a new fulfillment order
5. Create shipping labels for each fulfillment order separately

Benefit: Comply with Australia Post weight limits while fulfilling the entire order.

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Use Case 2: Partial Stock Availability

Scenario: Customer orders 5 items, but only 3 are currently in stock. Solution:

1. Select the fulfillment order
2. Click Split shipment
3. Select the 3 available items to split
4. Create a shipping label for the available items and ship immediately
5. When the remaining 2 items arrive, create a shipping label for the original fulfillment order

Benefit: Ship available items immediately without waiting for backordered items.

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Use Case 3: Different Shipping Services

Scenario: Customer orders both standard and express items that need different shipping services. Solution:

1. Select the fulfillment order
2. Click Split shipment
3. Select express items to split into a new fulfillment order
4. Create Express Post label for the split fulfillment order
5. Create Parcel Post label for the original fulfillment order with remaining items

Benefit: Use appropriate shipping services for each group of items while optimizing costs.

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Best Practices

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Planning Your Splits

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Tracking Split Shipments

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In Shopify Admin

• Order Details: View all fulfillment orders for an order in the order details page
• Fulfillment Status: See which items are fulfilled and which are pending
• Tracking Numbers: Each fulfillment order gets its own tracking number when you create shipping labels
• Shipping Labels Page: All fulfillment orders (original and split) appear on the shipping labels page

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Customer Experience

• Separate Tracking: Customers receive tracking information for each fulfillment order when shipping labels are created
• Order Status: Order shows as “Partially Fulfilled” until all fulfillment orders are complete
• Notifications: Customers get separate shipping notifications for each fulfillment order
• Delivery: Items arrive in separate packages as they’re shipped

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Troubleshooting

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Common Issues

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Tips for Success

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Before Splitting

1. Review Order Carefully: Understand which items need to be split and why
2. Check Weight Limits: Calculate weights to ensure each resulting fulfillment order stays within limits
3. Plan Item Groups: Decide which items should go together before opening the split modal
4. Verify Availability: Ensure items are available for splitting (not already fulfilled)

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During Splitting

1. Select Correct Items: Double-check which items you’re selecting in the modal
2. Set Quantities: Adjust quantities if you’re splitting partial quantities of line items
3. Review Before Confirm: Take a moment to review your selections before clicking “Split Fulfillment”

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After Splitting

1. Create Labels Separately: Each fulfillment order needs its own shipping label
2. Monitor Both Orders: Keep track of both the original and split fulfillment orders
3. Complete All Fulfillments: Ensure all fulfillment orders are eventually fulfilled
4. Customer Communication: Consider notifying customers about split shipments if relevant

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Limitations and Considerations

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Technical Limitations

• Maximum 2 orders can be selected for splitting at once
• Orders with 1 line item and quantity 1 cannot be split
• Split creates new fulfillment orders but doesn’t automatically create shipping labels

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Operational Considerations

• Each split fulfillment order requires a separate shipping label (and associated cost)
• Multiple shipments may cost more than a single shipment
• Consider the total cost vs. customer satisfaction when deciding to split

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Customer Expectations

• Some customers may not expect multiple shipments
• Consider communicating split shipments proactively
• Manage expectations about delivery timelines for split orders

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Next Steps

Now that you understand split shipments, explore these related features: