Shipyard’s new shipment planning flows, powered by the latest API, bring several advantages to make your shipping experience more efficient and transparent:
Cost Transparency: See exact placement fees upfront for each inbound option, helping you make informed decisions.
Mileage Visibility: Compare total mileage for inbound options to estimate shipping costs and select the most cost-effective route.
Plans Page: Save your plans and return to them later, allowing you to multitask while Shipyard processes your shipment options.
With these benefits in mind, let’s explore the two flows available in Shipyard’s new system:
Flow A – Boxes Before Planning: Resembles Amazon’s STA workflow, where you handle box content before planning the shipment.
Flow B – Plan-Then-Pack: Shipyard’s traditional flow, where you first plan the shipment and then box the items.
Follow this guide to understand both workflows and decide which one works best for you.
Flow B – Plan-Then-Pack (Traditional Shipyard Flow)
Step 1: Select Items
Go to the Replenish Page.
Select the items and quantities you want to ship.
Step 2: Plan the Shipment
Click ‘Plan Shipment’ to start the planning process.
Assign Categories and Prep Types: Ensure that every item in your plan has a category and prep type assigned. If any items are missing this information, update them before proceeding.
Step 3: Create the Plan
Click ‘Plan All’ to finalize the planning process.
Note: With the new API, planning may take a couple of minutes. During this time:
Use the new Plans Page to check the status of your plans and view all associated options.
Optionally, enable email notifications to be notified once your plan is ready.
Step 4: Review Options
Review the inbound options provided, including placement fees and mileage.
Choose a plan that works best for you and create the shipment(s).
Step 6: Submit Box Content and Purchase Shipping
Click to 'Submit Box Content'
Proceed to 'Prep & Ship'
Ensure all shipments in the plan are boxed before purchasing shipping for any of them.
Choose LTL as your shipping method.
Reminder: For SPD shipments, please use the 'Seller Central Flow'
Flow A – Boxes Before Planning (STA-Like Workflow)
This flow is designed for users who prefer to handle box content before planning their shipments.
Step 1: Start the Planning Process
Click ‘Plan & Box’ to initiate the plan on Amazon’s end.
Step 2: Choose Inbound Options
Once the plan is ready, select an option from the dropdown menu for handling box content:
Everything In One Box
Use 2D Barcode for Box Content
Amazon Manually Process Box Contents
Select the option that fits your needs.
Step 3: Box Items
Pack your items into boxes.
Assign weights and dimensions to each box.
Step 4: Complete the Plan
Click ‘Plan All’ to finalize the shipment.
Choose your Preferred Optimization Settings:
All, Optimized, Minimal, or Partial
Select your Preferred Zone: East, Central, West, or All.
Step 5: Check Plans
Plans are now being created.
Return to the Plans Page to view them when they are ready.
Future Enhancements
We’re actively working on exciting features to further improve your experience:
Estimated LTL Prices and Trucking Bookings: Soon, you’ll be able to view estimated LTL shipping prices and book trucking directly through Shipyard.
International Forwarding: We’re partnering with forwarders from China to combine containers for direct FBA delivery, offering rates comparable to full container shipments per CBM.
Local Trucking: Collaborations with local truckers will enable combined truckloads for local deliveries at rates comparable to full truckloads.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need assistance with either flow, feel free to contact our support team. We’re here to help you get the most out of Shipyard!