Split Shipment

What Is a Split Shipment?

A split shipment occurs when a single order is divided into multiple packages that ship separately. The customer receives each package with its own tracking number, sometimes on different days. Split shipments can be intentional, such as for oversized items, or the result of inventory being unavailable or stored in different locations.

How It Works

Before splitting, the order management system checks inventory and rules. It then creates separate shipments, each with its own label, tracking number and packing slip, and the store notifies the customer about each one.

Common reasons for splitting an order include:

• Backorders: in-stock items ship now and the rest ship when available.
• Multiple locations: items are stored in different warehouses.
• Size or weight: items too large or heavy to combine in one box.
• Pre-orders: a pre-order item ships later than in-stock items.

Why It Matters for Ecommerce Brands

Splitting can get items to customers sooner, but it usually costs more. Each extra package adds postage and packaging, and carriers price parcels individually, so two small packages often cost more than one combined package. Split shipments can also confuse customers who receive part of their order and assume something is missing.

For example, a customer orders a cleanser and a moisturizer, and the moisturizer is temporarily out of stock. The brand can ship the cleanser now and the moisturizer later, or hold the whole order. Shipping now improves speed but adds a second package. Brands should set clear rules for when to split orders, keep inventory in one place where practical and use packing slips and emails to explain what is coming separately.