Definition‍

Packing is the process step that directly follows picking, preparing an assembled order for handover to the shipping carrier. It involves selecting packaging appropriate to the order's weight, size, and fragility, and securing the contents so they survive transport without damage.

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What packing involves

• Choosing the right packaging material — cardboard box, wooden crate, or padded envelope, depending on what's being shipped and how sturdy it needs to be
• Sizing the package correctly — oversized packaging wastes shipping cost and cushioning material; undersized packaging risks damage
• Adding cushioning or filling material — protects the product against movement and impact during transport
• Preparing shipping documentation — labels, invoices, or customs paperwork, depending on the shipment's destination

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Why packing quality matters‍

A picking error is invisible until packing, but a packing error is invisible until the customer opens the box. Poor packing choices (wrong box size, insufficient cushioning) are one of the most common drivers of damaged-in-transit returns, which cost more than the packaging material saved by using a smaller box or less filling.

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Picking, packing, and shipping‍

Picking, packing, and shipping form one continuous handoff — a delay or error at any one step pushes back the next. This is why packing efficiency is usually evaluated as part of the broader fulfillment process rather than in isolation: a warehouse that picks fast but packs slowly doesn't actually ship faster.

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