X-Cart:Setting Up Dimensional Shipping - Revision history

Aim: /* Module-specific settings */ If the total number of items in cart exceeds the specified limit, the extra items will be placed into additional packages, one item per package

2020-04-08T11:49:32Z

‎Module-specific settings: If the total number of items in cart exceeds the specified limit, the extra items will be placed into additional packages, one item per package

Seyfin: /* Module-specific settings */

2013-01-21T07:50:11Z

‎Module-specific settings

Dohtur at 19:11, 27 July 2012

2012-07-27T19:11:45Z

Dohtur: /* Module-specific settings */

2012-07-27T18:56:00Z

‎Module-specific settings

Seyfin: /* Module-specific settings */

2012-06-28T08:11:41Z

‎Module-specific settings

Vladimir Gurinenko: /* Module-specific settings */

2011-09-12T14:07:35Z

‎Module-specific settings

Vladimir Gurinenko: /* Module-specific settings */

2011-09-12T14:07:04Z

‎Module-specific settings

Vladimir Gurinenko: Created page with 'X-Cart now provides a packaging algorithm that allows splitting an entire purchase into multiple packages that fit the limitations (maximum package weight and dimensions) imposed…'

2011-05-13T06:33:30Z

Created page with 'X-Cart now provides a packaging algorithm that allows splitting an entire purchase into multiple packages that fit the limitations (maximum package weight and dimensions) imposed…'

New page

X-Cart now provides a packaging algorithm that allows splitting an entire purchase into multiple packages that fit the limitations (maximum package weight and dimensions) imposed by a certain shipping service. This algorithm allows to get real-time shipping rates even when the cart contains a large quantity of products with the total weight and dimensions exceeding the values allowed for a single package.

With the Dimensional Shipping feature, you can specify dimensions for each product you have got at your store (See the Product details page) and use those dimensions for calculating shipping rates using the on-line real-time shipping rate calculation services like UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.

==Module-specific settings==

Certain shipping modules, such as Australia Post, FedEx, UPS and USPS allow enabling/disabling splitting orders into multiple packages.

To enable this function, select '''Split the shipment into multiple packages if its weight/dimensions exceed the limitations''' on the Shipping methods -> Options page of the administration menu.

In the shipping settings, you can also specify:

'''Maximum package weight (lbs)''' - package weight that must not be exceeded when when shipping products to customers.

'''Maximum package dimensions (inches)''' - package dimensions that must not be exceeded when when shipping products to customers.

'''Always use the same package dimensions as specified in the "Maximum package dimensions" fields''' - applies the dimensions specified in the above option to all packages shipped through this shipping service.

{{Note1|Keep in mind...}}

* If the total weight/volume of the products ordered by customer exceeds the limitations defined by these settings, the order is split into several packages.

* The maximum package weight and maximum package dimensions that you set on this page must not exceed the actual limitations imposed by the shipping service.

* If you set the maximum package weight or any of the maximum package dimension values to zero, X-Cart will use the default limitations established by the shipping service.

For other shipping modules, please follow the instructions below.

==Enabling Dimensional Shipping==

'''To enable Dimensional Shipping:'''

1. Select Settings -> General settings on the administration menu and then click on the Shipping link on the Сore options pane at the right.

2. On the Shipping page that appears, select the '''Use product dimensions for shipping rates calculation''' check box under '''General shipping options'''.

3. On the same page, under '''Dimensions of the shipping box for small items (for real-time shipping)''', specify the length, width and height (in inches) for the default shipping box. These dimensions are used by the calculator when no product-specific dimensions are provided.

4. Click the '''Apply changes''' button.

{{Note|To enable the shipping calculators, make sure to select the '''ENABLE SHIPPING''' check box at the top of the page before making any other shipping settings.}}

==Defining product dimensions==

'''To define dimensions of a product:'''

1. Sign in as provider and select the product to be edited.

2. On the Product management page, select the '''Use the dimensions of this product for shipping cost calculation''' check box.

3. In the '''Shipping box dimensions''' group, specify the length, width and height of the product, in inches.

{{Note1|To make sure that UPS supports the dimensions you have specified, click on the Check for unavailable shipping methods link by the dimension boxes.}}

4. Select the '''Ship in a separate box''' option to set shipping the product in separate boxes, then specify the '''Quantity per shipping box''', i.e. how many pieces of the item can be placed in a single shipping box.

5. Click the '''Apply changes''' button.

==Checking dimensional shipping settings==

{{Note1|The following instructions are meant for advanced users.}}

'''To check dimensional shipping settings:'''

1. Open the directory where your X-Cart is installed in a file manager and then open the file config.local.php in any plain-text editor.

{{Note1|Hint! If the file config.local.php does not exist, create a new text file and save it as config.local.php.}}

2. In the config.local.php file, uncomment or type the following code:

<pre>
<?php
define("PACKAGING_DEBUG", "Y");
?>
</pre>

3. Save the modified config.local.php file in the directory where your X-Cart is installed and test your shipping calculator with the new settings.

This constant adds comments on the performance of the packaging routine at the bottom of the UPS calculator page. View those comments in an HTML source viewer and determine whether your dimensional shipping settings work as expected.

When you are done testing, don't forget to comment out or delete the debug string from the config.local.php file.

{{Note1|Hint! An alternative way to check whether your dimensional shipping settings work as expected is to place a number of items greater than what fits in a shipping box to the shopping cart and see how many boxes you have got for shipping.}}

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 '''Always use the same package dimensions as specified in the "Maximum package dimensions" fields''' - applies the dimensions specified in the above option to all packages shipped through this shipping service.
-{{Note1|<b>Tip</b>: The max number of items that can be placed into one package can be changed by modifying the below line of code in "include/func/func.pack.php" file:
+{{Note1|<b>Tip</b>: The max number of product items that to be used for packing algorithm is defined in "include/func/func.pack.php" file:
-<pre>define('MAX_ITEMS_FOR_PACKING', 2000);</pre>
+<pre>define('MAX_ITEMS_FOR_PACKING', 3000);</pre>
 }}
 {{Note1|<b>Keep in mind...</b>}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:50, 21 January 2013
Line 17:		Line 17:
	'''Always use the same package dimensions as specified in the "Maximum package dimensions" fields''' - applies the dimensions specified in the above option to all packages shipped through this shipping service.		'''Always use the same package dimensions as specified in the "Maximum package dimensions" fields''' - applies the dimensions specified in the above option to all packages shipped through this shipping service.

		+	{{Note1\|<b>Tip</b>: The max number of items that can be placed into one package can be changed by modifying the below line of code in "include/func/func.pack.php" file:
		+	<pre>define('MAX_ITEMS_FOR_PACKING', 2000);</pre>
		+	}}
	{{Note1\|<b>Keep in mind...</b>}}		{{Note1\|<b>Keep in mind...</b>}}

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 '''To enable Dimensional Shipping:'''
-. Select <u>Settings</u> -> <u>General settings</u> on the administration menu and then click on the <u>Shipping</u> link on the <u>Сore options</u> pane at the right.
+# X-Cart 4.4.0 and later: Go to the <u>Shipping</u> page (Settings menu -> General settings -> "Сore options" pane at the right -> Shipping).<br />X-Cart 4.3.x: Go to the <u>Shipping options</u> page (Settings menu -> Shipping settings)<br />X-Cart 4.2.x: Go to the <u>Shipping options</u> page (Administration menu -> General settings -> "In this section:" menu -> Shipping options).<br />
+# On the page that appears, under '''General shipping options''', select the '''Use product dimensions for shipping rates calculation''' check box.<br />
-. On the <u>Shipping</u> page that appears, select the '''Use product dimensions for shipping rates calculation''' check box under '''General shipping options'''.
+# On the same page, under '''Dimensions of the shipping box for small items (for real-time shipping)''', specify the length, width and height (in inches) for the default shipping box. These dimensions are used by the calculator when no product-specific dimensions are provided.<br />
+# Click the '''Apply changes''' button.
 {{Note|To enable the shipping calculators, make sure to select the '''ENABLE SHIPPING''' check box at the top of the page before making any other shipping settings.}}

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Certain shipping modules, such as Australia Post, FedEx, UPS and USPS allow  splitting orders into multiple packages.
-To enable this function, select '''Split the shipment into multiple packages if its weight/dimensions exceed the limitations''' on the <u>Shipping methods</u> -> <u>Options</u> page of the administration menu.
+To enable this function, select '''Split the shipment into multiple packages if its weight/dimensions exceed the limitations''' on the <u>Shipping methods</u> -> <u>Options</u> page.
 In the shipping settings, you can also specify:

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 {{Note1|<b>Keep in mind...</b>}}
-* If the total weight/volume of the products ordered by customer exceeds the limitations defined by these settings, the order is split into several packages.
+* If the total weight/dimensions of the products ordered by customer exceeds the limitations defined by these settings, the order is split into several packages.
 * The maximum package weight and maximum package dimensions that you set on this page must not exceed the actual limitations imposed by the shipping service.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 {{Note1|<b>Keep in mind...</b>}}
-: * If the total weight/volume of the products ordered by customer exceeds the limitations defined by these settings, the order is split into several packages.
+* If the total weight/volume of the products ordered by customer exceeds the limitations defined by these settings, the order is split into several packages.
-: * The maximum package weight and maximum package dimensions that you set on this page must not exceed the actual limitations imposed by the shipping service.
+* The maximum package weight and maximum package dimensions that you set on this page must not exceed the actual limitations imposed by the shipping service.
-: * If you set the maximum package weight or any of the maximum package dimension values to zero, X-Cart will use the default limitations established by the shipping service.
+* If you set the maximum package weight or any of the maximum package dimension values to zero, X-Cart will use the default limitations established by the shipping service.
 For other shipping modules, please follow the instructions below.