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Requesting Barcoding, Bagging, and Damage Protection Prep

You can use Flexport Prep if creating a Forwarding or DTC Replenishment Plan. Creating an inbound is easier with Flexport Prep because it will ensure your products are compliant going into the network and prevent common damages.

For barcoding units, damage protection and bagging protection this can be done self-serve. For more customized Prep services, such as kitting, special labeling, preparing specific/partial units, or custom requests, you can click Request additional Prep article and follow the instructions to create a ticket with Support with the required information.

 

Self-Serve Prep Types

Unit barcoding

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  • The Flexport team will print 1 x 2 5/8 inch unit barcode labels, apply them to your units, and ensure that labels are visible and compliant. UPCs will be applied unless otherwise specified.
  • Unit relabeling is available if you need to put a new barcode over an existing barcode.
  • This service is a good option if you or your manufacturer can't label your units to meet the network requirements. All units entering the Flexport network require barcodes.
  • For Pricing details please review the Prep Pricing and Billing article.

 

Damage protection

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  • The Flexport team will:
    1. Protect your units using bubble wrap or a bubble mailer
    2. Print and apply 1 x 2 5/8 inch unit barcode labels to the outside of the bubble wrap/mailer and ensure they are visible and compliant
  • All protected units will be packaged to pass a drop test. To pass the drop test, a prepped product cannot break or leak after being dropped five times from a height of three feet onto a hard surface. Learn more about preparing your product for Flexport's Fulfillment Center. 
  • This service is a good option for fragile or liquid items to reduce the chance of damages.
  • For Pricing details please review the Prep Pricing and Billing article.

 

Bag protection

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  • For $0.85/unit, the Flexport team will:
    1. Place each unit in a sealed poly bag
    2. Print and apply 1 x 2 5/8 inch unit barcode labels to the outside of the bag and ensure they are visible and compliant
  • A sealed poly bag helps items remain intact and protected throughout the fulfillment process.
  • This service is a good option for:
    • Fragile or liquid item to reduce chance of damages
    • Items prone to dust collection, such as apparel or plushies, which are required to be in polybags.
  • For Pricing details please review the Prep Pricing and Billing article.

 

How to request self-serve Prep

When creating a DTC inbound or replenishment order, after you Select and Add Products, the Try Flexport Prep page appears. The Prep services selected on this page will apply to all products in the shipping plan unless specified otherwise.

  1. From the Try Flexport Prep page, select the services that you want to apply to your shipping plan. newpricing.png
  2. Review the Estimated prep quote.
  3. Optional: If you need other customized prep services, such as kitting, preparing partial quantities, or custom requests, then click Request additional Prep and complete the form.
  4. Click Next 
  5. (For DTC Inbounds) From the When do you want first units available for sale? page, ensure that Forwarding Plan is selected. forwarding_plan.png
  6. (For DTC Inbounds) Optional: If you prefer to ship your inbound products using the Direct Plan, then click Previous and deselect all Flexport Self-serve Prep services. 
  7. (For DTC Inbounds) Click Submit. 
  8. Continue completing the rest of the replenishment or inbound steps and review the pricing summary before finalizing your shipment. review_and_confirm_2.png
  9. Click Confirm shipment.  

After the Prep is completed and your unit counts have been confirmed, you will be billed for the service. 

 

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