A partial shipment sends only part of an order at a time. The overall order status, individual line quantities and package states need separate records. Dispatching the first parcel should not mark every item as delivered.
This can happen when stock is available at different times or products leave from separate locations. Customers need to know what each parcel contains and what remains outstanding.
Connect order lines, packages and carrier details
- Order reference and product code
- Total ordered quantity
- Prepared and dispatched quantities
- Remaining quantity
- Package reference and contents
- Tracking number and package status
Counting parcels alone is insufficient when several units of the same product are involved. Keep quantities visible at line level.
Work through a simple example
Suppose a customer orders three units. The first parcel contains two and the second will contain one. The record should retain “two dispatched, one pending”. Delivery of the first parcel does not complete the entire order.
If the last unit is cancelled, distinguish cancelled quantity from quantity still awaiting dispatch. This is an operational example, rather than accounting or invoicing guidance.
Test stock movements
Agree which stages reserve stock and which reduce it. Verify that creating a package and marking it dispatched do not deduct the same quantity twice.
- Create a sample order for three units.
- Prepare a parcel containing two.
- Check stock and the remaining quantity.
- Prepare the second parcel or follow the authorised cancellation process.
- Reconcile the totals against the original order.
Communicate the actual situation
A message should identify which items were dispatched and how many parcels are expected. Avoid promising an unconfirmed delivery date. Each tracking link should correspond to the correct parcel.
A useful example is: “The first parcel contains two units. One unit remains in preparation; separate tracking details will follow when it is dispatched.” Adapt this only to verified order information.
Confirm software scope before implementation
Do not assume every commerce panel supports partial shipments. When discussing a project with BE Soft, demonstrate line-level quantities, multiple tracking numbers, partial cancellation and returns. The customer's view should be as understandable as the administrator's view.
Common questions
Should the first delivered parcel close the order?
Not when items or required actions remain outstanding.
Must every parcel become a new order?
A suitable system can retain separate shipment records under one order.
Discuss your shipping scenarios through the BE Soft English website before defining the implementation scope.
