Preparing your Inward Consignment

In this article, you will learn best practices to prepare your inventory before you deliver it to Eshopbox. Following are the guidelines that will assure:

There is no delay in completing the receiving of your inward consignment.
Avoid any mismatch/inward errors like shortage, overage, or rejections.

In this article, you will learn below:

Prepare your products
Pack your inventory

Step 1: Prepare your products

While preparing your product, make sure that the products have a proper label and packing. Proper labeling ensures that Eshopbox quickly identifies the product. This will support at the time of storage. Adequate packaging should ensure that product is safe during storage and transport. You should review the following checklist while preparing your products.

Labeling products

Each product you send to Eshopbox must have a label on it. This is a must.
The label must have a scannable barcode. The scannable barcode must also be available on the workspace as an identifier of a product like SKU, EAN, UPC, etc.
The label should have only one barcode. In case your products have multiple barcodes - the product to be configured with all of them. This will help to avoid multiple scanning. Eshopbox can identify the product at the time of receiving it.
The product labels should be visible on the outside of the packaging.
The label must satisfy the legal metrology act guidelines relevant to the category of the product.
You must provide printed Information on the label, not handwritten.
You attach a label to the product in a manner that it should not get detached from it during storage.

Packaging an individual product

You must package all the products so they do not get damaged during receipt, stocking, consignment preparation, or sent to the buyer.
Wrap all items separately.
Suppose your product needs boxes for packaging. It should be six-sided. The packaging must not collapse when medium pressure applies to any of the sides. Your package must have openings or a lid that will not easily open on its own. Also, it does not tear out while opening.
Include a silica gel pack if your product is sensitive to moisture.

💡 When adding product definitions to your Eshopbox account, you must define fragile products by clicking the fragile checkbox.

Plastic bags used for products sent to Eshopbox must satisfy all state and local laws.
With small items, you pack products in pouches. That must be packed individually in plastic bags with the barcode outside of the pouch. This is to avoid damage and dust. Place a product description label on the side with the greatest surface area.
You should consider that product packaging may affect the cost of storage and shipping to the customer. The dimensional or dead weight of the product should increase only marginally because of the product packaging you choose. Packing products in the right way helps you to save money.
The best practice is to treat your products like consumer packaged goods. Customers should love the unboxing experience when they receive your product.

💡 If you do not store individual units inside cases, it should not expose them in their display box. If there is an opening that shows the contents of the package, clear plastic should shield it. This protects from dust and provides a better experience for your customer.

Step 2: Pack your inventory

Inventory can travel many miles to reach Eshopbox. Packing your products in boxes with appropriate materials in the right way will help to ensure they arrive safely and stay intact. Also, you label each box to identify the contents. The following checklist outlines requirements that apply to all boxes delivered to Eshopbox.

Packaging of multiple units in a carton

Cartons are protective packaging that can protect the products from damage in transit.
You should place each unit in a carton. One carton should include units from one consignment only.
The packaging must sufficiently protect your product from damage during transit and receiving.

Do not send items in boxes made of weak materials, such as poor cardboard quality. All units should arrive free of damages or defects.
If sending multiple items within a single box, ensure you wrap each one individually. It should be well separated from one another.
You can also use the box in the box method while packaging. It uses a second outer box to offer additional protection. It is useful for the transportation of more fragile items. This is where the inner box will be used for retail purposes. Both an outer and inner box will need to prepare with similar methods.

It is important to completely fill the empty space within the box to avoid contents moving during transit, which can cause damage to both contents and boxes. Odd-shaped or rounded packaging may need extra attention. Overfilled boxes could burst during delivery.
You should seal each carton. It helps to protect your package during transit. Both the adhesive tapes you choose and how you seal the box make a difference in protecting your inventory contents from being exposed or damaged during transit.
Oversized cartons should pack sufficiently to withstand pressure incurred through the normal course of handling. Oversized cartons should have a Warning label. Oversized items may incur additional receiving charges. Cartons should not exceed (31inch X 19inch X 13inch). A weight greater than 50 kg is considered oversized.
Special Handling Label: Warning labels need to be impossible to miss. They should be large, brightly colored, and positioned in multiple, prominent locations on all appropriate boxes.

Labeling cartons

Each box should have a label for identifying the contents of the box.
The below diagram will help you to understand the information on the label. The label on the box includes the following details:

The consignment number which is generated at the time of creating an inward consignment. The reference number of the document (e.g., Invoice, Stock transfer note) is sent along with the inventory. You should use the same reference number while scheduling the consignment. Each carton should have a unique Box Number. At the time of creating consignment, mention the box number in the inward consignment template. This information is useful to reconcile in case of a shortage. Include the number of boxes total in this consignment. (i.e., “Box 1 of 4”)
From: Your company name and address from where you are sending inventory.
To: Eshopbox fulfilment center address, the destination of sending inventory.
Other Info: It is the weight of the box. At the time of unloading, Eshopbox will weigh the cartons and highlight a difference from the weight mentioned on the label. This step helps in identifying if there is any inventory leakage during transport.

You need to paste the label on the box where it is easily visible. Don’t place labels on opening on the box because it will damage them when Eshopbox opens the box.
If you are reusing boxes, remove or cover any existing consignment labels or other barcodes.
Place a spare label inside the package. This will help Eshopbox to identify your consignment if the original label becomes detached or damaged.
The label must be white and the minimum font size of 12pt. The minimum label size must be 4” x 6” (10cm x 15cm).

Knowledge Base