Kitting · Bundles · Fulfillment costs
Multi-item orders, bundles and kitting: how they change fulfillment cost
· 7 min read · SuperFulfill
Bundles, gift sets, starter kits and subscription boxes are good for order value, but they change the work in the warehouse and the way fulfillment is billed. Two brands with the same number of orders can have very different fulfillment bills if one ships single items and the other ships kits of four.
This guide covers how pricing structures treat multi-item orders, how bundles are built, and what to set up in advance so they ship correctly.
How pricing structures treat extra items
Fulfillment is commonly priced in one of two ways. Under per-unit (or per-pick) pricing, there is a charge for the first item and a further charge for each additional item. Under per-order pricing, the order costs the same however many items it contains.
The illustration below uses an invented per-unit structure, not any provider's rates, to show how the difference grows with units per order:
| Units per order | Per-unit structure (hypothetical) | Per-order structure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.00 | One fee |
| 2 | $2.50 | Same fee |
| 4 | $3.50 | Same fee |
| 6 | $4.50 | Same fee |
Fee structure is only one line of the bill: packaging, storage and shipping change with bundle size too. Compare total cost per order for your real basket with the fulfillment cost calculator.
Pre-kit or build to order?
| Approach | How it works | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-kitting | Kits are assembled in batches ahead of demand and stored as their own SKU | Fixed bundles that sell steadily, gift sets with special packaging | Stock locked into kits that don't sell; components unavailable for single orders |
| Kit on demand | Components are picked and packed together when each order arrives | Build-your-own bundles, variable sets, launches | More picks per order; needs accurate bundle mapping in your store |
Many brands use both: pre-kit the bestselling gift set before a peak and build everything else per order.
Set bundles up so they ship right
- Map each bundle in your store to its component SKUs and quantities, so stock is deducted from the components.
- Give each kit a written packing specification: order of items, inserts, protective packaging and the box or mailer to use.
- Measure the packed kit, not the components, for shipping and dimensional weight.
- Tell your provider about promotional inserts and their start and end dates.
- For recurring box programmes, share the shipping calendar so the provider can plan for each dispatch.
Packaging mixed orders
Multi-item orders are where box choice matters most, because the combination of items varies. Agree a small set of box and mailer sizes that fit your common baskets, and how the packer should choose between them. Too few sizes means paying to ship air; too many slows packing. See how dimensional weight works for the effect on shipping cost.
How it works at SuperFulfill
SuperFulfill's published fee is US$0.50 per order whatever the number of items, and standard kitting and inserting are included in it, along with receiving, storage, pick and pack, a standard mailer, inspection, relabelling, parcel insurance and an account manager. Custom packaging materials and inserts you want us to source or manufacture are quoted separately, and multi-step assemblies, special packaging or unusually large orders are reviewed and confirmed in your quotation. Shipping is quoted for your packed sizes, weights and destinations. Send us your bundle structure and packing specification with your quote request, so your quotation reflects how your orders are actually packed. More on our kitting and custom packaging service.