Note: Branded packaging is in the Beta testing phase. We have currently paused onboarding of additional merchants to this program. If you would like to express interest in Branded Package for the future, please submit this form* Our team may not respond to your request right away since onboarding is paused, but your responses will be saved. Our Support Team is available for any questions.
*Please note: Merchants must have at least 150 average daily orders in order to participate. We will be only considering merchants who are willing to fulfill using branded boxes, polybags, bubble mailers, or inserts. Other branded packaging materials such as tape, tissue paper, and stickers will not be supported.
How does Flexport Branded Packaging work?
1. Flexport will offer the following branded packaging fulfillment capabilities:
- Branded boxes
- Branded bubble mailers
- Branded polybags
- Branded inserts (e.g. marketing cards and thank you cards)
2. There are a few important requirements merchants must follow during the Beta phase.
Merchant Requirements:
| Requirement | Details | Category |
|
Each branded packaging unit (e.g. every polybag) must be barcoded and the barcodes must be captured in Flexport. |
Flexport will create a DSKU for each type of branded packaging a merchant wishes. DSKUs are created in order for us to accurately track packaging inventory. We must associate this to DSKU to a physical barcode. During the shipping plan creation process, merchants can download barcodes for packaging materials same as how barcodes are downloaded today in Seller Portal. Acceptable barcode types for packaging are the same as the barcode formats permitted for products:
During the order fulfillment process, warehouses will scan the packaging units. Without barcodes, there is a risk of packaging inventory being tracked inaccurately, leading to misleading and incorrect inventory volume data. |
Inbounds, Outbounds |
|
All branded packaging materials must be inbounded in master cartons. |
The inbound receive process will be the same for branded packaging materials as it is for standard products. This requires that packaging materials are inbounded in master cartons. | Inbounds |
|
All master cartons that house the packaging material must be less than 40x30x30. |
This is the maximum box size for all Flexport inbounds. | Inbounds |
|
If a merchant is enrolled in the Branded Packaging program, all SKUs under the seller ID must use the same branded packaging types (no custom configurations for SKU/packaging pairs). |
During the Beta phase, there must be standardization of branded packaging across all of the merchant's DSKUs. Example: if Box 1 and Insert 1 are required for SKU A, they must also be used for SKU B*
*Note: If a merchant wishes for one or more of their SKUs to be excluded from branded packaging while other SKUs are fulfilled using branded packaging, Flexport can configure this setting during Beta. |
Outbounds |
|
All branded packaging inbounds must be sent through the Crossdock |
This will help Flexport distribute branded packaging inventory to the right warehouses |
Inbounds |
3. There are two options to get started with branded packaging:
- Seller-procured packaging: For merchants with existing branded packaging material, you can inbound this packaging into the Flexport network through Direct or Forwarding.
- Flexport-procured packaging: For merchants who do not have existing packaging*, you can work with Flexport to procure branded packaging from our packaging suppliers. Flexport will gather your desired packaging details and pass this information to our suppliers.
- There are two benefits to using Flexport-procured packaging:
- Flexport packaging rates are often more affordable than the packaging rates merchants can source separately given Flexport's network volume and partnerships with our suppliers.
- Once your packaging is created by Flexport's supplier, you don't have to worry about managing packaging inventory or replenishment. Flexport will take care of this for you.
- Flexport will barcode all packaging for you when we procure packaging on your behalf
- There are two benefits to using Flexport-procured packaging:
*Many merchants who have seller-procured packaging choose to start the Flexport packaging procurement process right away in order to begin fulfilling orders using Flexport-procured packaging as soon as their first batch of packaging inventory is depleted.
4. What are the requirements to be eligible for Flexport branded packaging?
- Merchant must have a minimum average daily order volume (ADO) of 100
- Merchant must have a Shopify-enabled site
- Merchant must follow all requirements stated in the table above
5. Which Flexport warehouses have branded packaging capability?
- During the Beta phase, we have one warehouse in all regions of the U.S. with branded packaging capability (West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast)
- Given the complexities of fulfilling using branded packaging, we are starting with a small group of warehouses during the Beta testing phase. We're working on quickly expanding this capability to additional warehouses.
-
Note: If you have existing product inventory in warehouses that do not have branded packaging capability, Flexport cannot fulfill this inventory using branded packaging.
Flexport-procured process:
- Merchants interested in branded packaging procurement must fill out the interest form: https://resources.flexport.com/branded-packaging
- The turnaround time to receive pricing will be faster if you provide both packaging and product dimensions and weight
- The Flexport team will review your response to the form and provide next steps.
- Please allow for up to 3 days to receive a response
- If the Flexport team determines that details in the form do not qualify for the Beta phase of Flexport branded packaging, we will provide specific feedback.
- Once approved for the branded packaging Beta, the Flexport team will enable your seller portal account for branded packaging. You will see a "Branded packaging" tab under Inventory.
- Click Create branded packaging and Get Started. During the Beta phase, the branded packaging page will link to a Typeform survey where merchants can provide the details on the packaging you would like Flexport to procure.
- Once the Typeform survey is completed, the Flexport team will pass the packaging information to the supplier in order to produce a quote. Quotes can take 1 week to produce. Flexport is working on shortening this turnaround time.
- The Flexport team will provide merchants with a quote that includes branded packaging fulfillment fees as well as the packaging material fees specified in #5 for your review.
- Once the quote is reviewed and we're ready for the next step, Flexport will place an order with our supplier. (A packaging proof can be sent to merchants before placing the full packaging order. This will add time to the process - ask your Flexport rep for more details when we get to this step).
- The Flexport team will create a DSKU in seller portal for each branded packaging type. Once packaging is inbounded, merchants can view packaging inventory volume on the Branded Packaging inventory page.
- Flexport will then manage packaging material replenishment moving forward. No additional action is needed from merchants. Merchants can view packaging inventory volume on the branded packaging inventory page.
Seller-procured process:
- Sellers interested in branded packaging must fill out the interest form: https://resources.flexport.com/branded-packaging
- The turnaround time to receive pricing will be faster if you provide both packaging and product dimensions and weight
- The Flexport team will review your response to the form and provide next steps.
- Please allow for up to 3 days to receive a response from the Flexport team
- If the Flexport team determines that details in the form do not qualify for the Beta phase of Seller branded packaging, we will provide specific feedback.
- Once approved for the branded packaging Beta, the Flexport team will enable your seller portal account for branded packaging. You will see a "Branded packaging" tab under Inventory.
- Click Create branded packaging and Request approval. During the Beta phase, the branded packaging page will link to a Typeform survey where merchants can provide details on the packaging types they will be inbounding.
- Please allow for up to 3 days to receive a response on your approval request. When the request is approved, the Flexport team will create a DSKU for each branded packaging type.
- Next, the Flexport team will provide a quote that includes branded packaging fulfillment fees and send for your review.
- Once the quote is reviewed and we're ready for the next step, merchants can create an inbound shipping plan for their packaging material.
- Merchants can create a shipping plan containing both products and packaging materials or a separate shipping plan for packaging.
- See the Merchant Requirements table above
- Once packaging is inbounded, merchants can view packaging inventory volume on the Branded Packaging inventory page.
How much does Branded Packaging cost?
During the Beta phase, Flexport will work with each merchant to provide a branded packaging quote.
There are two pricing components:
- Fulfillment surcharges: This includes the fees to receive/pick/pack branded packaging material at the warehouses
- Packaging material cost: Only relevant for Flexport-procured. This is the cost of the actual packaging material
FAQs
1. When will Flexport start using pack slips? Can I customize the pack slip with gift messaging?
We are in the process of testing pack slip functionality. We're aiming to offer pack slip capability (including gift messaging) to merchants in Q1 2023.
2. When will Flexport offer other packaging material capabilities like tape, tissue paper, and stickers?
A timeline has not been determined yet. Flexport is focusing on successfully executing branded box, polybag, bubble mailer, and insert fulfillment. After gathering learnings in the Beta phase, we will expand our offering to other packaging types.
3. How do I view my branded packaging inventory?
There is a branded packaging inventory page, which shows each packaging DSKU and the current inventory volume.
4. How do split shipments work in the context of branded packaging?
If fulfillment of a multi-unit order is split across different warehouses, we will fulfill using branded packaging for all orders when possible. However, if the order is split across two warehouses and one of the warehouses does not have branded packaging capability while the other warehouse does, one package will arrive to the buyer branded and the other will be non-branded.
5. What happens if Flexport runs out of my branded packaging?
- Flexport procured: Running out of branded packaging material is unlikely in this scenario because Flexport will automatically replenish your packaging inventory when we are running low.
- Seller procured: Flexport will fulfill your orders in standard Flexport packaging (non-branded) until merchants inbound additional packaging material.
6. Will using branded packaging negatively impact Fast Tags since branded packaging is only offered in some locations?
We have launched branded packaging in warehouses in all regions of the U.S. with the goal of minimizing the impact to Fast Tags. If branded packaging material is located in some regions but not all, there may be an impact to Fast Tags.