Overview
Note: This is a paid module, please discuss this with your Account Manager to learn more.
The Cartons and Pallets module allows you to manage inventory on carton and pallet IDs, see an overview of existing cartons and pallets, create new cartons and pallets, and generate labels on demand.
The Cartons and Pallets Overview page shows you all existing carton and pallet records, along with what they hold. From the Overview, you can filter by carton or pallet, edit or delete cartons and pallets via actions, and perform bulk actions. You can create a new carton or pallet from the overview, and upload cartons and pallets in bulk.
Important: Cartons and pallets must be empty of all inventory and have no child items before you can delete them.
Note: To learn more about uploading Cartons/ Pallets in bulk, please review our Bulk Upload help guide.
Example Spreadsheet
This article explains:
Roles and permissions
Setup - creating cartons and pallets types
GS1 and SSCC configuration (optional)
Setup - creating cartons and pallets
Printing labels
Creating cartons and pallets on mobile
Managing carton and pallet locations
Inventory management on cartons and pallets
Storage costs for carton and pallet types (3PL only)
Picking costs for carton and pallet types (3PL only)
Video tutorial
We've created a video to help you set up cartons and pallets quickly. The video covers:
'Goods In' Locations.
For more information, please review our Location Types help guide.
Cartons & Pallet Types.
Creating Cartons & Pallets.
Generating Barcodes.
Creating Cartons & Pallets on Mobile.
Uploading/ Migrating Inventory.
3PL Billing.
1. Add roles and permissions
If you can't see the Cartons and Pallets module on the left-hand sidebar, follow these steps:
Click Settings, then click Warehouse User Accounts.
Find the affected user.
Click Actions, then click Manage Roles.
Select the Module-Pallets&Cartons role group checkbox. This is the exact role group name.
Click Update.
2. Create carton and pallet types
The first step is to set up your carton and pallet types on the system. Go to Cartons & Pallets, then click Extras. You can add new carton or pallet types, and edit or delete existing entries.
2.1 Create carton types
When adding new carton types, you need the following information:
Name: The name of the carton
Description: A short description of what the carton is used for
Prefix: A code that is prepended to auto-generated carton codes. For example, with prefix SC, the system generates codes like SC0001, SC0002
Weight (KG): How much the carton weighs when empty
Length, Width, Height (CM): The dimensions of the carton
MaxWeight (KG): What is the maximum weight allowed in the carton
Tip: The MaxWeight is used for validation when adding inventory. The system warns you if the weight limit would be exceeded.
Once you've added this information, click Create.
2.2 Create pallet types
When adding new pallet types, you need the following information:
Name: The name of the pallet
Description: A short description of what the pallet is used for
Prefix: A code that is prepended to auto-generated pallet codes. For example, with prefix SP, the system generates codes like SP0001, SP0002
Weight (KG): How much the pallet weighs when empty
Length, Width (CM): The dimensions of the pallet
Max Weight (KG): What is the maximum weight allowed on the pallet
Tip: The MaxWeight is used for validation when adding inventory. The system warns you if the weight limit would be exceeded.
Once you've added this information, click Create.
3. Configure GS1 and SSCC (optional)
If you have a GS1 account and wish to use SSCC numbers, you can set this up for you and your clients. This is used to auto-generate SSCC numbers. To set this up, follow these steps:
Click Clients, then click Overview.
Find the client you want to set up.
Click Actions, then click Edit.
Click the SSCC Config tab.
Turn ON the Enable SSCC toggle.
Input your GS1 information, which will be used to generate SSCC numbers for shipments.
4. Set-Up: Creating Cartons and Pallets
Note: Cartons and Pallets can also be uploaded to Mintsoft in bulk. To learn more, please review our Bulk Upload help guide.
4.1 Create a carton
To create a new carton, follow these steps:
Click Cartons & Pallets.
Click Create New Carton.
Select the Warehouse.
(3PL Only) Select the Client.
Enable Auto Generate Code or enter a carton code in the Code field. The code is your internal carton identifier (for example, SC0001). This is different from the SSCC number which is used for GS1 tracking and can be set separately. If entering manually, ensure the code is unique and no longer than 30 characters.
Select the Carton / Pallet Type you want to apply.
Select the Location where the carton is located.
Select the Assigned Pallet if you want to assign the new carton directly to an existing pallet.
Click Create.
Tip: When a carton is assigned to a pallet, it inherits the pallet's location. You can view all cartons in a pallet from the pallet's detail page.
4.2 Create a pallet
To create a new pallet, follow these steps:
Click Cartons & Pallets.
Click Create New Pallet.
Select the Warehouse.
(3PL Only) Select the Client.
Enable Auto Generate Code or enter a pallet code in the Code field. The code is your internal pallet identifier (for example, SP0001). This is different from the SSCC number which is used for GS1 tracking and can be set separately. If entering manually, ensure the code is unique and no longer than 30 characters.
Select the Carton / Pallet Type you want to apply.
Select the Location where the pallet is located.
Click Create.
4.3 Add SSCC to existing cartons and pallets
If you wish to add SSCC numbers to existing cartons or pallets, follow these steps:
Tip: You can also enable SSCC during creation by selecting the checkbox in the Create dialog.
Click Actions, then click Edit against the carton or pallet on the Carton/Pallet Overview screen.
Enable Auto Generate SSCC Number if you want the system to auto-generate SSCC codes. This requires additional setup. Review the GS1 and SSCC Configuration section above.
Alternatively, manually enter the Full SSCC Number if needed.
Click Update.
5. Print labels
You can generate and print labels for cartons and pallets on demand from the Overview page. The system supports GS1 labels, standard labels, and shipping labels.
5.1 Print labels for individual cartons or pallets
To print a label for a single carton or pallet, follow these steps:
Go to Cartons & Pallets overview.
Find the carton or pallet you want to print a label for.
Click Actions, then select the label printing option.
The label will be sent to your Print Tool service.
5.2 Print labels in bulk
To print labels for multiple cartons or pallets, follow these steps:
Go to Cartons & Pallets overview.
Select the checkboxes for the cartons or pallets you want to print labels for.
Click the bulk actions menu.
Select the label printing option.
The labels will be sent to your Print Tool service.
Tip: Available bulk actions include delete (for empty items), print labels, and export to CSV.
5.3 GS1 label format
If you have configured GS1 and SSCC numbers (see section 3), you can generate GS1-compliant labels. These labels include the SSCC number and follow GS1 standards for tracking and logistics.
6. Set storage costs for carton and pallet types (3PL only)
For users with the Cartons and Pallets module, you can charge clients for storage based on the carton or pallet types used. Storage costs are configured directly in 3PL Accounting without any client-level setup required.
To set up storage costs for cartons and pallets, follow these steps:
Click 3PL Accounting, then click Overview.
Click Carton/Pallet Type Storage Prices, then click Create.
Set the Client or leave as ALL.
Select the Carton/Pallet Type.
Set the Cost.
Set the Frequency.
Click Create.
Repeat for additional costs if needed.
Note: Access to Carton/Pallet Type Storage Prices requires the AdminStorageMediaTypeStoragePricing role. If you cannot see this option, contact your system administrator.
7. Set picking costs for carton and pallet types (3PL only)
For users with the Cartons and Pallets module, you can set picking costs against your carton and pallet types. This will only apply if using the carton or pallet picking method on mobile. In other cases, the standard picking costs set against the client will apply.
To set up picking costs for cartons and pallets, follow these steps:
Click 3PL Accounting, then click Overview.
Click Carton/Pallet Type Picking Costs, then click Create.
Set the Client or leave as ALL.
Select the Carton/Pallet Type.
Set the Standard First Carton/Pallet Type picking Cost.
Set the Additional Carton/Pallet Type picking Cost.
Click Create.
Repeat for additional costs if needed.