Documentation

Product Packaging Guide

Configure multi-level packaging hierarchies for products with barcodes, weights, and sellability settings.

Watch: Product Packaging Configuration Guide (7 min)

What is Product Packaging?

Product Packaging allows you to define how products are packaged at multiple levels. This is essential for businesses that buy products in bulk (cases, pallets) but sell them individually or in smaller packages.

Multi-level packaging hierarchy example
A typical packaging hierarchy from individual items to bulk shipping
Why Use Packaging Configurations?
  • Track inventory at multiple packaging levels (cartons + loose items)
  • Purchase in bulk quantities but sell individually
  • Assign unique barcodes to each packaging level
  • Manage weight and dimensions for shipping
  • Control which packaging levels are sellable to customers

How to Access Packaging Configuration

Packaging is configured at the product or product variant level:

  1. Navigate to Products
    Go to Inventory > Products.
  2. Open Product Details
    Click on the product you want to configure.
  3. Find Packaging Section
    • Simple Products: Look for "Packaging" tab or section
    • Variable Products: Open a variant, then find "Packaging" tab
Accessing packaging configuration in product details
Access packaging configuration from the product details page

Packaging Levels Explained

Products can be packaged at four hierarchical levels:

Level Description Example
Base The smallest unit of measure (reference level) Gram, Milliliter, Individual Item
Primary Smallest sellable/purchasable unit Bottle, Can, Piece, Pouch
Secondary Bundle or inner pack containing multiple primary units 6-Pack, Inner Box, Bundle
Tertiary Outer carton/case for shipping or bulk storage Master Carton, Shipping Case, Pallet

Example: Beverage Packaging Hierarchy

Beverage packaging hierarchy example
A complete packaging hierarchy for bottled beverages
Level Unit Contains Barcode
Base Milliliter (ml) - -
Primary Bottle (500ml) 500 ml 8901234567890
Secondary 6-Pack 6 Bottles 8901234567891
Tertiary Case 24 Bottles (4 x 6-Packs) 8901234567892

Conversions: 1 Case = 4 Six-Packs = 24 Bottles = 12,000 ml

Creating a Packaging Configuration

Animated demo of creating a packaging configuration
Creating a packaging configuration step by step
  1. Open Product Packaging
    Navigate to the product details and find the Packaging section.
  2. Click "Add Packaging Configuration"
    Open the configuration form.
  3. Enter Configuration Name
    Give a descriptive name for this packaging setup.
    • Example: "Standard Retail Package", "Bulk Warehouse Case"
  4. Add Packaging Levels
    For each level (from outermost to innermost):
    1. Click "Add Level"
    2. Select Level Type (Tertiary, Secondary, Primary, Base)
    3. Choose Unit of Measure
    4. Enter Quantity Per Parent
  5. Configure Level Properties
    For each level, optionally set:
    • Barcode: Unique identifier for scanning
    • Weight: Fixed or variable weight
    • Dimensions: Length, Width, Height
    • Is Sellable: Can customers purchase this level?
    • Is Purchasable: Can you order this level from suppliers?
  6. Set as Default (Optional)
    Check "Is Default" if this is the standard packaging for this product.
  7. Save Configuration
    Click "Save" to create the packaging configuration.

Packaging Level Properties

Property Required Description
Level Name Yes Display name (e.g., "Carton", "6-Pack", "Bottle")
Level Type Yes Base, Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary
Unit of Measure Yes UOM for this level (Piece, Box, Case, etc.)
Quantity Per Parent Yes How many of this level fit in the parent level
Barcode No Unique barcode for scanning (must be unique per tenant)
Weight No Fixed weight for this packaging level
Is Variable Weight No Check for products with varying weight (fresh produce)
Min/Max Weight No Weight range for variable weight products
Dimensions No Length, Width, Height for shipping calculations
Is Sellable No Can customers purchase at this packaging level?
Is Purchasable No Can you order from suppliers at this level?
Is SKU No Track inventory at this packaging level?

Sellable vs Purchasable

Different packaging levels can have different sales and purchasing rules:

Sellable and purchasable settings for different levels
Configure which levels can be sold to customers vs purchased from suppliers
Level Sellable Purchasable Use Case
Individual Bottle Yes No Retail customers buy individual bottles
6-Pack Bundle Yes No Customers can also buy 6-packs
Case (24 bottles) No Yes Purchased from suppliers but not sold to retail customers
Pallet No Yes Bulk purchasing only
How This Affects Operations
  • Sales Orders: Only "Sellable" levels appear in product selection
  • Purchase Orders: Only "Purchasable" levels can be ordered from suppliers
  • POS: Only "Sellable" levels are available for sale

Weight Tracking Options

The system supports three weight tracking modes:

Mode Description Example
Fixed Weight Every item weighs the same Bottled drinks (always 500g)
Variable Weight Weight varies by item, tracked with min/max range Fresh produce, meat (450g - 550g)
No Weight Weight not tracked Digital products, services

Stock Tracking with Packaging

When packaging is configured, stock can be tracked at multiple levels simultaneously:

Stock breakdown across packaging levels
Inventory showing stock at different packaging levels

Example Stock Display:

  • 2 Sealed Cases (48 bottles)
  • 3 Open 6-Packs (18 bottles)
  • 5 Loose Bottles
  • Total: 71 Bottles

FIFO Consumption Logic

When fulfilling orders, the system uses smart FIFO (First-In-First-Out) logic:

  1. First uses loose/opened stock (minimizes waste)
  2. Then opens sealed packages as needed
  3. Tracks which packages were opened and when

Barcode Management

Each packaging level can have its own unique barcode:

  • Unique per tenant: No duplicate barcodes within your organization
  • Enables scanning: Scan a case barcode during receiving, scan bottle barcode at POS
  • Auto-quantity: System knows the quantity based on which barcode was scanned
Scanning Example

Scan a case barcode (8901234567892) during goods receipt → System automatically records 24 bottles received.

Product-Level vs Variant-Level Packaging

Type When to Use Example
Product-Level Simple products without variants (same packaging for all) A single type of bottled water
Variant-Level Variable products where each variant has different packaging T-shirts: S, M, L may have different box sizes

Best Practices

Do's
  • Always start from the largest level (Tertiary) and work down to Base
  • Assign barcodes to all packaging levels that will be scanned
  • Set accurate weights for shipping cost calculations
  • Mark the most common packaging as "Default"
  • Only mark levels as "Sellable" if customers can actually purchase them
Don'ts
  • Don't use duplicate barcodes across different products
  • Don't skip packaging levels (maintain the hierarchy)
  • Don't change conversion quantities after stock has been received
  • Don't delete packaging configurations that have been used in transactions

Troubleshooting

Cannot Find Packaging Tab

  • For variable products, packaging is configured at the variant level, not product level
  • Open a specific variant to access its packaging configuration

Barcode Already Exists Error

  • Each barcode must be unique within your tenant
  • Check if the barcode is used by another product or packaging level
  • Use a different barcode or remove the existing one first

Stock Not Converting Correctly

  • Verify "Quantity Per Parent" is set correctly for each level
  • Check that all levels are properly linked in the hierarchy

Required Permissions

To manage product packaging, users need:

  • Inventory.Products.View - View packaging configurations
  • Inventory.Products.Edit - Create and modify packaging configurations

Next Steps

Goods Received Notes

Learn how to receive goods and track at different packaging levels.

Stock Movements

Understand how packaging affects stock transfers and adjustments.