If a customer places multiple orders, ReadyToShip can automatically merge them into a single consignment, helping reduce shipping costs and simplify fulfilment.
Before You Begin
Orders are not merged while they are in the Unshipped tab.
ReadyToShip only checks for matching orders when they are moved into a Shipping Run.
Orders will automatically merge if they have the:
Same customer name
Same delivery address
Same shipping carrier
Same shipping service
If any of these details differ, the orders will remain separate.
Change Default Merge Settings
By default, Merge Customer Orders is enabled for each carrier.
To change this setting:
Go to Settings > Carriers.
Click the required carrier to open.
Change Merge Customer Orders to No.
Click Save.
When disabled, ReadyToShip will no longer automatically merge matching orders for that carrier.
How Order Merging Works
When matching orders are moved into a Shipping Run:
Matching orders are automatically merged into a single consignment.
The merged orders are grouped together and identified by a merge icon.
Selecting one order automatically selects every order in that merged group.
When orders are merged:
Item weights are combined.
Parcel dimensions are recalculated based on the combined shipment.
A single tracking number is assigned to the merged consignment.
Package Selection After Merging
When orders are merged, ReadyToShip automatically resets the assigned package.
This allows you to review the combined shipment and choose the most appropriate package for all items now included in the consignment.
Once you've selected a package:
You only need to assign it to one order within the merged group.
ReadyToShip automatically applies the same package to every order in that merged consignment.
This ensures all merged orders use the same packaging and shipping details.
View Merged Orders
To locate merged orders:
Open the required Shipping tab.
Click Filter.
Select the Merged Orders filter.
Merged orders are also identified by a merge icon in the order list.
Unmerging Orders
Orders will automatically unmerge if:
You remove an order from the Shipping Run.
The customer name changes.
The delivery address changes.
The shipping carrier changes.
The shipping service changes.
⚠️ Important: Exact Matching Required
ReadyToShip uses exact matching when determining whether orders should merge.
The following fields must match exactly:
Customer name
Delivery address
Shipping carrier
Shipping service
Even small differences can prevent orders from merging, including:
Extra spaces
Different capitalisation
"Street" versus "St"
Additional punctuation
Slight spelling differences
This conservative matching helps prevent unrelated orders from being combined accidentally.
Troubleshooting Order Merging
If orders are not merging:
Confirm they have been moved into a Shipping Run.
Check the customer names match exactly.
Check the delivery addresses match exactly.
Confirm the same carrier and shipping service are selected.
Ensure Merge Customer Orders is enabled for the carrier.
Recommended Workflow
For the best experience when using merged orders:
Move orders into a Shipping Run.
Review any merged consignments.
Select the appropriate package for each merged group.
Create labels.
Pack Orders.
Create your manifest (if required).
Update your store.
Archive completed orders.
⚠️ Important: Adding Orders to an Existing Shipping Run
Take care when adding new orders to a Shipping Run that already contains existing orders.
If a newly added order matches an existing order in the run, ReadyToShip will automatically merge them.
If labels have already been created or manifested, this can result in shipping errors and incorrect fulfillment of orders.
To avoid issues:
Complete and finalise Shipping Runs before adding additional orders where possible.
If you must add orders to an existing run, review any newly merged consignments before creating labels.