Shopify Split Shipping: What is Split Shipments?

shopify split shipping

What you will learn in this blog

A split shipment is when one order—usually with multiple items—needs to be sent in more than one box. Sometimes, fulfilling orders requires a separate shipment to different addresses, especially for bulk orders or during holidays. While a customer checks out one order, factors like products stored in multiple locations, stock limitations or just the item size and weight can mean we need to send items separately.

Definition and Purpose

separate shipments

A split shipment is a shipping method where one order is split into multiple shipments to accommodate different shipping needs, like shipping to different locations. The split shipment option is a feature that allows customers to send parts of an order to different locations. This allows businesses to optimize their shipping, reduce costs. By splitting shipments businesses can ensure each item in an order is shipped separately, reducing the risk of damage or loss in transit.

Split shipments occur when items in an order can’t be shipped together due to inventory constraints, different warehouse locations or special handling requirements. This ensures each product reaches the customer in the best possible condition, overall shopping experience. Splitting shipments also allows businesses to manage their inventory better, so stock levels are maintained across multiple locations.

Shopify Split Shipping

sending split shipments, sending separate shipments in Shopify

In Shopify if a customer has items in their cart that can’t be fulfilled from one warehouse or at the same time Shopify split shipping will automatically trigger. For example if an order has in stock items and a preorder item the system will split the shipment so the customer can get the in stock items sooner without having to wait for the preorder to become available. This improves customer satisfaction by getting available items to them faster and giving them options at checkout.

Merchants can also control split shipment settings in the Shopify admin to enable or disable certain split shipment options. By doing so you can decide if you want to offer customers different shipping options for each part of their order.

Split shipments is when one order is divided into more than one package when items can’t be shipped together in one package. This is often due to lack of space, not enough stock at one location or special requirements for units. For businesses using Shopify, managing this process is made easy through features in Shopify, so merchants can customize how split orders are handled.

Managing Multiple Shipments

PULPO WMS multiple order fulfillment process in shopify store

Handling multiple shipments, including splitting orders, requires an intentional approach to inventory management, fulfillment, and customer communication to enhance efficiency in ecommerce logistics. Start by making sure you have accurate stock levels and the right quantities in the right warehouse. Proper inventory planning reduces delays and avoids partial shipments that will annoy customers.

Transparency is just as important. Let customers know if items will be shipped in separate boxes, provide tracking for each shipment and let them know the transit time. Clear communication manages expectations which can reduce customer support team workload and overall shopper experience.

Handling multiple shipments requires a holistic approach that balances operational efficiency with customer satisfaction. In addition to accurate inventory planning and smart software, merchants should focus on a smooth and reliable fulfillment process. This means reducing delays by having stock strategically located across warehouses and using data driven tools to allocate orders. Transparency is just as important as it builds trust and reduces confusion. Clear updates on split shipments, tracking numbers and delivery times will let customers know their order is on the way even if it’s being shipped separately. By prioritizing operational excellence and customer experience businesses can turn the complexity of multiple shipments into a selling point.

Separate Shipments and Split Order Fulfillment with PULPO WMS

For merchants who want a more automated and smart approach PULPO WMS is the answer. When split shipments happen PULPO will automatically split the order into multiple sub-orders and send each part to the most suitable warehouse for processing. So different warehouses will know exactly what to ship, when and to whom and reduce errors and speed up fulfillment.

PULPO’s order splitting feature tracks all sub-orders in real time. This gives merchants the information they need to optimize orders, reduce extra costs on packaging and unexpected delays and get items to the same destination safely and quickly. By integrating with Shopify PULPO WMS allows businesses to fully utilize split fulfillment—manage complexity with ease, keep customer perception positive and make every step as smooth as possible.

Using PULPO WMS for multi-warehouse management gives businesses managing multiple products across different locations many benefits. Here’s how PULPO’s features can help:

✅ Real-Time Inventory Management

PULPO keeps inventory counts up to date at each location so you never run out of stock and overstock. This simplifies warehouse operations, reduces costs and makes every split shipment process efficient.

✅ Integrated Data Flow

PULPO connects warehouse data with your Shopify store so inventory levels are updated in real time. No more selling out of stock and no more inaccurate data whether you have one warehouse or multiple warehouses and more shipments from multiple locations.

✅ Better Customer Experience

PULPO simplifies fulfillment so customers get their orders faster and safer. Whether one order is one shipment or multiple PULPO’s ability to split and route orders to the right fulfillment center means the customer gets their products faster.

✅ Easier Tracking and Flexibility

Each shipment created by PULPO has a unique tracking number so customers can see their orders even if it’s multiple packages. This flexibility across locations is especially helpful for businesses with warehouses in different regions to reduce shipping times and increase efficiency.

SUMMARY

Split shipments are a part of modern ecommerce, merchants need to be able to handle single orders that need multiple packages due to inventory constraints, multiple locations or specific product needs. While they may cost more they also increase customer satisfaction by getting available products to customers faster. Tools like Shopify’s split shipping and advanced WMS like PULPO simplify the process, using real time data and optimized routing to reduce errors, costs and make every step smooth for merchants and customers.

split shipping costs in shopify store

FAQs

Q1: Why are split shipments necessary?

Split shipments are necessary when a single order can’t be fulfilled in one package, often because stock is in multiple locations, items are too big for one package or specific product handling requirements.

Q2: How does split shipping result in higher shipping costs?

Split shipping often costs more because dividing a single package into multiple shipments increases the need for additional packing materials, leading to extra packaging waste. Each shipment requires separate handling, shipping labels, and transportation, which can result in spending more money compared to consolidating all items into one package. While the added cost is a factor, businesses often offset this by improving delivery times and customer satisfaction.

Q3: How does real-time data help with split shipments?

Real time data tracks inventory levels and allows to assign orders to the nearest fulfillment center. This reduces delays and every customer gets their order faster.

Q4: How do split shipments ensure prompt deliveries while enhancing the customer experience?

Split shipments ensure prompt deliveries by allowing in-stock items to be shipped immediately, ensuring the customer receives their products faster without waiting for backordered items. By routing each part of the order to the fulfillment center closest to the unique address, businesses reduce transit times and improve the overall customer experience, even when orders are divided across multiple shipments.

Q5: What are the benefits of apps for multi-location fulfillment?

Apps for multi-location fulfillment like PULPO WMS simplify order processing, optimize routing and ensure faster delivery. They have tools to manage split orders and track each package so every step is smooth for the customer.

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