> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.kivaro.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Split Shipments

> Learn how to split fulfillment orders into separate shipments using the Split Shipment feature

export const calendlyUrl = "https://calendly.com/kivaro-support/30min";

export const supportEmail = "support@kivaro.io";

export const appName = "AusPost MyPost Business";

## 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.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Weight Limits" icon="weight">
    Split orders that exceed Australia Post weight limits (22kg domestic, 20kg international)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Different Timing" icon="clock">
    Ship items at different times when some are ready and others are on backorder
  </Card>

  <Card title="Separate Tracking" icon="truck">
    Create separate tracking numbers for different items in the same order
  </Card>

  <Card title="Flexible Fulfillment" icon="gear">
    Handle complex fulfillment scenarios with ease
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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.

### 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

## When to Use Split Shipments

Split shipments are ideal when:

### 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

### 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

### 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

## How to Split a Fulfillment Order

### Step 1: Navigate to Shipping Labels Page

1. Open the {appName} 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

### 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

<Warning>
  **Selection Limit**: You can only select 1-2 fulfillment orders for splitting at a time. If you need to split more orders, process them in batches.
</Warning>

### 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

### 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

<Tip>
  **Understanding the Split**: The items you select will be moved to a new fulfillment order. The remaining items stay in the original fulfillment order. Both fulfillment orders will appear on the shipping labels page after the split.
</Tip>

### 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

## Step-by-Step Guide

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Orders">
    On the shipping labels page, select 1-2 fulfillment orders using the checkboxes
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Split Shipment">
    Click the "Split shipment" button in the bulk actions bar at the top of the table
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Items">
    In the modal, select which line items and quantities to split into a new fulfillment order
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Split">
    Click "Split Fulfillment" to create the new fulfillment orders
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Labels">
    After the page refreshes, create separate shipping labels for each fulfillment order
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ship Separately">
    Each fulfillment order will have its own shipping label, tracking number, and can be shipped independently
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Requirements and Limitations

### 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)

### 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

### 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

## Common Use Cases

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

## Best Practices

### Planning Your Splits

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Check Weight Before Splitting">
    Calculate total weight before splitting to ensure each resulting fulfillment order stays within weight limits. This helps avoid issues when creating shipping labels.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Group Items Strategically">
    Group items that should ship together (same destination, similar handling requirements) in the same fulfillment order to minimize shipping costs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customer Communication">
    Consider notifying customers when orders are split, especially if there are significant delays between shipments. This sets expectations and improves satisfaction.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review Before Splitting">
    Double-check your item selections in the modal before confirming the split. Once split, you'll need to create separate shipping labels for each fulfillment order.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Tracking Split Shipments

### 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

### 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

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Split Shipment Button Disabled">
    **Issue**: The "Split shipment" button is disabled or not visible

    **Solution**:

    * Ensure you have selected 1-2 fulfillment orders
    * Check that at least one of the selected orders can be split (has multiple items or single item with quantity > 1)
    * Verify the orders are in a state that allows splitting
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cannot Split Single Item Order">
    **Issue**: Order shows "Cannot be split (single item)" badge

    **Solution**:

    * Orders with only 1 line item and quantity 1 cannot be split
    * This is a Shopify limitation - you need multiple items or a quantity greater than 1 to split
    * Consider if the order really needs to be split, or if it can be fulfilled as-is
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No Items Selected Error">
    **Issue**: Error message "Please select at least one item to split"

    **Solution**:

    * Make sure you've checked at least one line item checkbox in the modal
    * Verify the items are available for splitting (not already fulfilled)
    * Check that quantities are valid (greater than 0 and not exceeding remaining quantity)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Split Not Appearing After Refresh">
    **Issue**: After splitting, new fulfillment orders don't appear

    **Solution**:

    * Wait a moment for the page to refresh automatically
    * If needed, manually refresh the shipping labels page
    * Check the original order in Shopify admin to verify the split was successful
    * Contact support if the split appears successful but fulfillment orders don't show up
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Tips for Success

### 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)

### 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"

### 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

## Limitations and Considerations

### 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

### 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

### Customer Expectations

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

## Next Steps

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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Bulk Operations" icon="list" href="/bulk-operations">
    Process multiple orders and create shipping labels efficiently in bulk.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shipping Rules" icon="gear" href="/shipping-rules">
    Automate shipping service selection and package assignment.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Complete Setup Guide" icon="book" href="/getting-started">
    Learn about all features and advanced configuration options.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick Start" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get up and running quickly with basic setup instructions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  **Need help with split shipments?** <a href={`mailto:${supportEmail}`}>Contact our support team</a> or <a href={calendlyUrl}>book
  a free consultation</a> to get expert guidance on managing complex fulfillment scenarios.
</Note>