In eCommerce, split shipments or partial deliveries are a common challenge faced by both online retailers and shoppers. These occur when a single order containing multiple products is shipped in separate deliveries. The customer receives multiple packages, even though they ordered everything together, which can be frustrating. However, there are legitimate reasons why this practice is so common.

Why Are Split Shipments Used?

While the goal of any business should be to avoid split shipments (unless they sell very large products that cannot be packed together), shipping separate items for a single order may be necessary for the following reasons:

1. Products ordered are stored in different locations

When an online store has products stored in multiple locations, each SKU may have different stock levels depending on the center. If a particular warehouse doesn’t have the necessary stock to fulfill an order containing multiple products, different fulfillment centers may be used. One product may be shipped from one center and another from a different center to ensure faster delivery times instead of waiting for one warehouse to receive the necessary stock.

2. The customer wants to send different items to different locations

Although this is not very common, a customer might want to split items from a larger order into separate deliveries so they can be sent to different addresses. Usually, people create separate orders for each new delivery, but it might be easier for customers to purchase gifts in a single order, especially during the holidays.

3. The products do not fit in a single package

The size of the products dictates whether a split shipment is necessary for a single order. For example, an order containing four USB-C cables should fit and arrive in a single package. However, if that order contains four large suitcases, you wouldn’t expect to receive a giant box the size of a couch – you would likely receive four individual boxes because each product takes up much more space.

The Downsides of Split Shipments

If it isn’t already obvious, split shipments can complicate business operations for several reasons:

1. Waste of packaging

Shipping two boxes instead of one consumes additional packaging and materials. This is not only costly but also harmful to the environment.

2. Higher shipping costs

The more packages you ship, the more you will pay. If you generate two shipping labels for a single order, the cost per order will increase significantly.

3. Less satisfied customers

If a customer receives half of their order one day and the other half a few days later, they can be at best confused or at worst furious. On the other hand, if you wait for stock replenishment to send a complete order, the customer may have to wait weeks, which again can lead to frustration and anger.

How to Avoid Split Shipments

Although split shipments can sometimes be inevitable, optimizing your supply chain can help prevent their necessity and ensure they are rare occurrences. You can reduce the likelihood of sending separate shipments by taking the following measures:

– Maintain sufficient inventory – Forecasting demand is difficult but essential for efficient management.

– Understand buyer behavior – If you know your customers and their buying trends, you can improve your logistics strategy to offer them a better experience.

– Offer customers a choice – If possible, allow customers to choose the option of having all purchases shipped together, even if it means a longer wait time.

Altexpress – the ideal eFulfillment partner

Altexpress is the ideal solution for efficiently managing orders, helping to reduce split shipments and improve customer satisfaction. With strategic warehouses in Bucharest and Oradea, Altexpress offers a complete eFulfillment service package, including receiving and storing products, quickly processing orders, and easily managing returns. International deliveries are made within 24-48 hours, and the cash-on-delivery option is also available for national shipments.

By integrating modern technologies and offering personalized solutions, Altexpress helps you focus your efforts on growing your business. You benefit from competitive prices and reliable services, with full integration into eCommerce platforms, marketplaces, and invoicing solutions.

Conclusion

Split shipments can’t always be avoided, but it’s important to do everything possible to prevent them so they don’t negatively affect your business. Reducing split shipments will make your supply chain more efficient, help you save money, and reduce waste. By partnering with an eFulfillment provider like Altexpress, you can optimize shipments, prevent split orders, and improve your profit margin.