How to Set Up Packaging & Custom Boxes using ELEX Australia Post Shipping Plugin?

Setting up the packaging for Australia Post is an important step in your shipping process. This is because the packaging and custom shipping process dictate the rates that are calculated at checkout. If your packaging settings are wrong, then the plugin might allocate a bigger box for a product that could be shipped within an envelope.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to set up packaging and custom boxes using ELEX Australia Post Shipping.

The process is relatively simple.

Before we begin, make sure that each product in your store has accurate dimensions. This entails the Length, Width, Height (dimensions), and the weight of the products must be entered. Without these details, the plug-in would not be able to calculate which box the product will fit into.

Step 1: Locate the Packaging Tab

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.

2. Navigate to WooCommerce- Settings and then click on Shipping.

3. Click on Australia Post.

4. Select the Packaging tab at the top of the page.

Step 2: Choose Your Packing Method

There are three different methods of packing that you can choose from;

Pack Items Individually

Each item in this cart is packed separately and is viewed as one. The total shipping cost is calculated based on the number of items and the individual cost for shipping each item.

So, for example, the shipping cost of an Item may be $15. If the customer adds two of these items to the cart, then the total shipping cost would be $15 x 2, which would be $30.

Pack Items Based on Weights and Dimensions

Here, the outer dimensions (height, length, width) and inner dimensions, along with the inner dimensions of the box. Then the weight of the box and the maximum capacity of the box are needed, too. Based on these dimensions, the shipping cost and boxes are allocated.

Weight-Based Packing. If you don’t have the box’s dimensions but only know the box’s weight x and the product’s weight, you can use weight-based packing. Here, all you need to do is provide the weight of the product, and you’ll get the shipping costs based on it.

It’s also important to understand the box dimensions as well.

Box Dimensions

This setting is applicable only if the Pack into Boxes with weight and dimension is selected. You can choose any packing algorithm, such as;

Volume-Based Packing

In Volume-Based Packing, which is the default setting, the products are packed based on the volume of the box and the products. Volume-based packing calculates shipping by adding up the total volume of the products and allocating it to the box that aligns with it.

Stack First Packing

In stack-based packing, the products are placed into the box and stacked based on their dimensions. Stack-based packing tends to utilize the volume of the box completely and ensures that the complete space in the product is utilized. The stacking can be based on the width, length, or height of the product.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Custom Boxes

If you use your own branded boxes or standard Australia Post boxes, you need to tell the plugin their sizes.

• Scroll down to the Box Dimensions table.
• Click Add Box to create a new entry.
• Fill in the following fields:
  – Box Name: Give it a clear name like “Medium Mailing Box” or “Large Satchel.”
  – Outer Dimensions: The size of the box from the outside
  – Inner Dimensions: The actual space available inside for your products.
  – Box Weight: The weight of the empty box itself.
  – Max Weight: The maximum weight this box can safely hold (e.g., 5kg or 20kg).Once you’ve added all these details, don’t forget to save them.

Step 4: Testing Your Setup

Now that the complete shipping boxes are provided, you can test your setup.
Once you’ve added your boxes, click Save Changes.
To make sure it’s working:

1. Go to your store as a customer.
2. Add a few items to the cart.
3. Check if the shipping rate looks correct.

Group Shipping

Group shipping is an option that shows the best price to the customers during checkout. Group Shipping, in essence, offers the customer a discounted or consolidated rate for buying products at once. Australia Post will not calculate the shipping cost of the individual packages if you have enabled it. Instead of that, Australia Post will return the best price for the shipping if a user purchases multiple products and chooses individual packing. The advantage of this option is that customers are more likely to add a second or third item if they know the shipping cost won’t double with every click.

If you’re stuck on a specific configuration or have unique shipping requirements, check out our ELEX Support Documentation or reach out to our team for a hands-on walkthrough.

FAQ

• Should I enter Inner or Outer dimensions for my boxes?
  You should enter both for the best results.
• Can I use Australia Post’s standard Satchels?
  Yes! You can add the dimensions of standard AusPost satchels as custom boxes to ensure the rates match exactly.