What is a Joint Shipment and Why Does it Matter?
If your business receives multiple orders going to the same shipping address, you’re not alone. This is common in global e-commerce and B2B sales. Customers often place several orders within a short window. This typically occurs during sales, product launches, or repeat stock replenishments.
When each order is packed and shipped separately, it creates extra work. You end up managing multiple packages, processing multiple tracking numbers, and using more packaging than needed. Over time, this increases operating costs and puts pressure on your fulfilment systems.
A better way is to combine products from different orders into a single package. This is known as a joint shipment. It’s sometimes called order consolidation or combined shipping, and it’s used by many high-volume retailers to improve fulfilment efficiency.
Well-known platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Target already utilise variations of joint shipping to streamline the process of grouping and delivering orders. Some do it automatically based on inventory and processing time. Others let customers choose delivery preferences during checkout.
Joint Shipment vs Split Shipment: What’s the Difference?
Not every order can be grouped into one package. Some are better shipped together, others apart. Understanding the difference between joint shipment and split shipment helps you choose the best delivery method for each situation.
Here’s how they compare:
| Aspect | Joint Shipment (Combining multiple orders into one shipment) | Split Shipment (Dividing one order into multiple packages) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Packages | One package for multiple orders | Multiple packages from a single order |
| Cost | Lower overall cost | Higher cumulative cost |
| Tracking Number | One tracking number | Separate tracking per package |
| Delivery Time | Ships when all items are ready | Ships available items sooner |
| Inventory Availability | All SKUs must be in the same warehouse | Can pull from multiple warehouses |
When Should You Use Each Method?
Use joint shipments when:
- A customer places multiple orders on the same day
- All items are in stock at the same location
- You want to reduce shipping costs and simplify tracking
Use split shipments when:
- Items are stored across different fulfilment centres
- Some products are out-of-stock or delayed
- Partial delivery improves the customer experience
Choosing the right method helps you optimise your warehouse operations, manage inventory better, and control shipping costs without sacrificing service.
Is Joint Shipment the Same as Combined Shipment?
Yes —joint shipment and combined shipment refer to the same process. Both terms describe the practice of packing multiple orders into one delivery to save time and reduce costs.
Some platforms use different labels. For example, logistics teams might call it a joint shipment, while customer-facing messages say combined shipping. Either way, it means the customer receives one package, often with one tracking number, instead of multiple deliveries.
This strategy also goes by other names, including order consolidation and grouped shipments, but the goal is always the same: reduce handling, save on shipping, and make fulfilment easier.
What Are the Benefits of Joint Shipments?
Joint shipment strategies offer more than just savings. By combining multiple orders into one package, businesses can improve delivery efficiency, lower costs, and simplify warehouse operations. Here are the key advantages:
1. Reduce Shipping Costs
Shipping multiple orders in one package means fewer carrier charges, fewer labels, and fewer trips. It helps protect your profit margins, especially in international shipping, where freight costs can add up quickly.
2. Simplify Tracking
One tracking number covers all items in the shipment. That reduces confusion for customers and your support team. It also lowers the risk of lost packages or delays caused by split deliveries.
3. Improve Customer Satisfaction
Receiving multiple orders in a single delivery feels more seamless for the customer. It cuts down waiting time, avoids tracking fatigue, and improves the post-checkout experience.
4. Save Time in the Warehouse
When orders are consolidated, your team only needs to pick, pack, and label once. This streamlines warehouse workflows and helps your WMS or OMS process orders faster, especially during high-volume periods.
5. Reduce Packaging Waste
Joint shipments help you use less cardboard, filler, and plastic. That’s good for sustainability goals and aligns with the expectations of customers who care about reducing their environmental impact.
How to Implement Joint Shipment Strategies in Your Supply Chain
If you’re ready to reduce costs and simplify fulfilment, implementing joint shipment strategies is a smart move. The process involves more than just packing different orders in one box. It requires planning across your order management system, warehouse workflow, and inventory visibility.
Here’s how to get started:
Set a Clear Consolidation Policy
Decide when orders qualify for joint shipping.
Most businesses choose a 24-hour window where multiple orders to the same shipping address are automatically combined.
Make this policy clear at checkout or in your confirmation emails to set customer expectations.
Use an OMS or WMS That Supports Consolidation
Your order management system (OMS) or warehouse management system (WMS) should flag orders that can be grouped.
Choose software that supports:
- real-time inventory updates
- identifying matching SKUs
- and combining multiple orders into one shipment
For online stores, platforms like Shopify or tools like ShipStation offer plugins that help manage this automatically.
Optimise Warehouse Picking and Packing
Your warehouse layout should support batch picking and easy grouping.
Create a designated consolidation area where items from different orders can be packed into one box.
Train your team on:
- when to hold an order for grouping
- how to manage labels and tracking
- and how to reduce packing errors when orders are combined
Automate Tracking and Customer Communication
Use one tracking number for each joint shipment.
Update customers with a clear message:
“Your orders have been combined into one delivery to save time and reduce packaging.”
Monitor Success Rates and Exceptions
Track your success rate for consolidated shipments.
Look at metrics like:
- cost savings
- average delivery time
- packaging reduction
Also watch for issues like out-of-stock items or orders held too long waiting to be grouped.
What Are the Challenges of Joint Shipments?
Joint shipping can save time and money, but it’s not always smooth. These are the most common challenges to watch out for:
- Out-of-stock items can hold everything up
If one order isn’t ready, the whole shipment might be delayed. - Items stored in different warehouses can’t be grouped
Orders across fulfilment centres usually ship separately. - Systems may not flag orders for consolidation
Without real-time inventory and automation, opportunities to combine are missed. - Packing errors become more likely
Merged orders increase the risk of missing items or mix-ups. - Customers get confused by tracking updates
If they expect two packages but only see one tracking number, it can create support tickets. - Double shipping fees can lead to refund issues
Customers may be charged twice if the system doesn’t adjust shipping costs. - Urgent items might be held too long
Delaying a ready-to-ship product to wait for another can hurt the delivery experience.
Is Joint Shipment Right for Your Ecommerce or B2B Business?
Joint shipments can improve fulfilment, but they’re not for every setup. Here’s how to know if it makes sense for you:
- You often receive multiple orders from the same customer
If customers place repeat orders within a short time, grouping them can save costs and reduce delivery trips. - Your warehouse can handle combined picking and packing
If your team or WMS supports batch picking and consolidation, joint shipping is easier to manage. - You want to reduce packaging and simplify tracking
One delivery and one tracking number makes the customer experience smoother—especially for international shipping. - You have a clear refund or shipping fee policy
If your system can auto-adjust charges for grouped orders, you avoid support issues. - You’re using (or planning to use) an integrated OMS or 3PL partner
Platforms with dashboard-based tools and real-time inventory make it easier to implement joint shipment strategies at scale.
If your supply chain can support it, combining orders into one package is a smart way to streamline fulfilment and protect profit margins.
Make Joint Shipments Easier with IncoDocs
If you’re managing repeat orders or exporting to the same customer, combining them into one shipment can help save time and reduce shipping costs.
IncoDocs makes it easy to handle the paperwork when multiple orders are packed into one delivery. You can reuse details, create accurate packing lists, and keep your export documents in sync without doing the same job twice.
If you work with a 3PL or ship direct, this approach helps keep your fulfilment and documentation process simple. Fewer shipments. Less admin. More time to focus on growing your business.
