When a buyer selects one of the available Canada Post shipping methods for their order, the add-on performs calculations to determine the number of packages needed to ship the order to the buyer. Then, it estimates the shipping cost based on the number of required packages, their respective weights, and the shipping rates that the add-on obtains from Canada Post.
A store admin can revise order details for each placed order on the Orders List page of the store's Admin area. The information about the shipping method selected by the buyer is available in the Shipping info section of the General info tab, and the estimated shipping cost displays at the bottom of the order details page:
General info: Part 1
General info: Part 2
When you are ready to pack the ordered items for shipment, start by visiting the Shipments section (You can access it via the Shipments tab when viewing the order details):
Provide information about the boxes you will use to ship the order via Canada Post in this section. A collection of information about a single parcel shipped by Canada Post is called a shipment.
When you open the Shipments section for a new order, you will notice that it already contains a list of shipments. This list reflects how the add-on proposes to split the items from this order into parcels based on the weight limit for one package.
For example, below, you can see a default split of a large order into three parcels, so the weight of each box does not exceed 10 kilograms:
When the add-on splits an order into parcels, it does not consider the dimensions of the individual items nor the dimensions of the box to pack them. As a result, the method does not guarantee that the items placed by the add-on into one parcel will actually fit in. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a merchant to verify that the weight of the items in each shipment does not exceed the "Package maximum weight limit" value and make sure the goods placed into each parcel do fit into the box of the specified dimensions.
If you choose not to follow the split of the items into parcels proposed by the add-on, you should adjust the configuration of the shipments in the Shipments section accordingly.
For example, you may change the parcels' dimensions, move the items between the existing packs, or add more boxes and put some products there. However, please be aware that changing the products' split into shipments may cause a significant difference between the actual shipping fees you will need to pay and the estimated shipping cost that the buyer has paid.
You can easily adjust the size of the box by editing the Dimensions fields:
You can adjust the distribution of the ordered items into parcels by moving items from one pack to another. If necessary, you can add more packages by moving products to new parcels.
To move products from one parcel to another:
First, locate the parcel from which you will remove items.
Then, choose the product you will remove.
In the Move item field, specify the number of product items to be removed.
Select the parcel to move the items from the drop-down box provided on the right side of this field (Select "New parcel" to create a new package).
Click Save changes.
As you move items between the parcels, the add-on automatically checks that the overall package weight is within the set limits.
Once you have adjusted the number of parcels, their dimensions, and the products' distribution between the packages, you will need to go over the rest of the parcel characteristics and options, and select/specify everything that applies:
the parcel type,
the types of email notifications sent,
the way to deliver,
the insurance coverage amount,
whether proof of age is required or not,
whether a signature is required, etc.
The maximum allowed parcel weight and the set of available parcel options may differ depending on the destination and shipping method selected.
You should also specify the intended payment method (Credit card or Account).
After editing any parcel characteristics or options, be sure to apply your changes by clicking the Save changes button.
Once you have completed the shipments configuration, submit information about them to Canada Post. To do so, click the Create shipment button below each shipment:
X-Cart will submit the shipment to Canada Post. Once it has been processed, the Create shipment button will disappear; in its place, you should be able to find a new information section titled "Shipment info":
In this section, some important information about the created shipment will be provided, including the Tracking pin (a tracking identifier by which you and the parcel addressee will be able to track the parcel) and the shipping label link.
Read on: