While self-serve Prep will serve most of your Flexport E-commerce needs, additional Prep services are available for more detailed and specific offerings. These are approved on a case-by-case basis, and include:
- Boxing units
- Kitting
- Floor loaded container
- Removals from another 3PL (such as FBA, Shipbob, Shiphero)
To Get Started
Please submit a ticket with our Support Team with the following information through this ticket form. Please select Prep Services <> I want to create a new Prep request and this will route to the correct Support Team. If some or all of the information below is not provided and necessary our Support Team will request it via the ticket.
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- Any Custom Instructions/Request (this is subject to approval and we might not be able to accommodate at this time)
- Is a quote required?
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- What services are being requested? Click here for prices.
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Box Building
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Kitting
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Bubble Wrapping
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Bagging
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Floor Loaded Container
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SKU/Barcode Labeling
- Box/Carton Labeling
- Removal from another 3PL (such as FBA, Shipbob, Shiphero)
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- What services are being requested? Click here for prices.
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- If this is for kitting - What is being placed inside the kit?
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Please provide information about the raw materials that are making up the kit.
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- What are the dimensions of each SKU being placed inside the kit (please use Length x Width x Height format)?
- This is particularly helpful if the prep team is responsible for sourcing the boxes to build their kits.
- This is not required if you are providing your own boxes for their kits.
- Is there anything else you are requiring to be placed inside of the kit?
- Examples include: Stickers, Flyers, Printed Instructions, etc.
- Examples include: Stickers, Flyers, Printed Instructions, etc.
- What materials are you providing (if any)?
- Examples include: Branded boxes, Branded polybags, Inserts, etc.
- Examples include: Branded boxes, Branded polybags, Inserts, etc.
- If you are providing your own boxes/cartons to complete this request, please provide those dimensions (LxWxH format, please).
- What materials is Flexport's Prep Team responsible for sourcing (if any)?
- Please provide a breakdown of expected quantities (for each SKU if known):
- # of Individual SKUs
- # Total Units
- # Pallets Expected
- # Boxes/Cartons
- Is there a timeframe in which you wish to inbound for this request (if so, when)?
- Example: Within 14 days, Next 30 days, 60+ days…
- Example: Within 14 days, Next 30 days, 60+ days…
- Is there a timeframe or hard deadline for the completion of your prep request?
- Important Note: Larger jobs will require longer to process. Please set this expectation with your merchants.
- Important Note: Larger jobs will require longer to process. Please set this expectation with your merchants.
- When prep is completed, where will these units be going?
- Examples include: Flexport Network, FBA (Amazon), B2B (please list company name), Reserve Storage, etc.
- Examples include: Flexport Network, FBA (Amazon), B2B (please list company name), Reserve Storage, etc.
- Do you have any attachments or photos of the products and/or what the end prep request should look like to help our team complete the request properly?
- If this is for kitting - What is being placed inside the kit?
Next Steps
Support may coordinate via the ticket or set up a meeting to review your request and learn more about what you need. Support will confirm if the prep service is approved. Do not ship your inbound unless you have received approval.
If approved, Support will prompt you to create a shipping plan. Additionally, if the prep is for is for a Removal from another 3PL (such as FBA, Shipbob, Shiphero) you will create a "test SKU" and create a shipping plan with only the "test SKU". If this is for kitting, you will need to review and create a kit within the portal. After logging into the portal, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Inbounds" tab on the left-hand side of the Seller Portal.
- On the right, click "Create Inbound".
- Select E-Commerce Fulfillment.
- If this is Removal from another 3PL (such as FBA, Shipbob, Shiphero) on the Select and Add Products screen, select "Individual Products" then input the DSKU for the Test SKU you just created, and input a quantity of 1. Click "Next" when done.
- If this is Removal from another 3PL (such as FBA, Shipbob, Shiphero) on the Select and Add Products screen, select "Individual Products" then input the DSKU for the Test SKU you just created, and input a quantity of 1. Click "Next" when done.
- If this is for kitting, on the Select and Add Products screen, select "Individual Products" then input the Kit DSKU you just created, and input a quantity of final kits that will be created at Prep. Do not put the total quantity of individual units that make up the kit. Click "Next" when done.
- On the TRY PREP screen, click "Skip, I do not need Prep".
- On the Provide Scannable Barcode Labels screen, click "Next".
- On the Download Scannable Barcodes Screen, download labels in any format and click "Next".
- When the Select Origin screen appears, enter in the address of the Crossdock completing the prep. then click "Next".
- On the next screen, be sure to select a Forwarding Plan (This step is VERY important - as prep does not take place on direct shipping plans!). Click "Next."
- On the Shipment (In Draft) screen, follow these steps:
- Shipping Method: Freight FTL/LTL
- Choose Your Carrier: Your Carrier
- Boxes and Labels - choose Use Prep, then confirm.
- Packing List and Packaging Instructions - download (PDF)
- Freight Instructions - click the box that says "I understand that my shipment will be turned away if it does not comply with the above guidelines."
- Freight Pick Up Details and Contact Information - click the box that says "I understand that my shipment will be turned away without a delivery appointment."
- Step 5: Review and Confirm Shipment - Click "Confirm Shipment" 5. Support will provide you with a pallet label to indicate the prep job. Attach this label to your inbound shipment. If freight, please apply to each pallet. If small parcel, please apply to each box. This ensures shipment is directed to Prep upon arrival.
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Inbound your inventory to the Crossdock / address listed on the shipping plan.
Associates will work with the instructions given to fulfill the additional prep needs until final fulfillment. After the Additional Prep service is completed and your unit counts have been confirmed, you'll be billed for the service. You may view Prep Status via the shipping plan. If interested, we have a help center regarding understanding Prep status.