The shipping of goods is one of the main functions of the warehouse. It aims to send the ordered products in perfect condition and on time.

This process is divided into several steps and operations that it is important that you follow to the letter so that it runs smoothly. In our article, we will review the different phases of this process and we will present you some strategies to make them more effective.

The stages of shipping goods

The shipment of goods corresponds to the last moments of the products in the storage facilities. Let's see what sub-processes it consists of:

1. Planning of deliveries to be made

The shipping of goods is extremely tied to the rest of the warehouse operations; this is why planning plays a very important role, which should not be overlooked. Organizing daily shipments means:

• Know and confirm the orders that will be prepared and shipped during the day.
• List the orders to prepare.
• Assign orders to carriers and tell them what time to pick up the merchandise.
• Plan the occupation of loading docks.
• Calculate the space required for the temporary storage area and shipments.

2. Consolidation and sorting of goods

We had already included this phase in the order preparation procedure. However, due to its proximity and location in the warehouse, it is possible to consider that it is also part of the overall process of shipping goods.

Consolidation involves combining and grouping goods from different areas of the warehouse in one place so that they are shipped. We usually reserve a space for it within the shipping area.

This step obviously depends on the product collection route followed. If the picking has not been executed correctly, the goods may remain blocked in the dispatch area while awaiting the arrival of the references required for the order.

3. Document control and packaging

The shipment of goods represents the last contact of the product with the warehouse. It is at this point that we carry out the document control in order to avoid errors and to ensure that the customer receives what he ordered.

To do this, it is necessary to check various papers as the pre-shipment inspections (the receipt of the order, the picking slip, the delivery slip, the waybill, the bill of lading, etc.) to ensure that the products ordered are those of the pallet or the package, and that all the information matches that of the warehouse management software.

On the one hand, operators ensure that the weight and volume of the order meet carrier standards for labeling. On the other hand, the goods are packaged or placed in cartons or pallets, then they are sealed and filmed.

The personalization of orders, as some e-commerce sites do using gift wrapping, or the assembly of kits or packs, very common for products on promotion, are other tasks carried out during this stage of the process shipment of goods.

4. Loading of goods

Before even transferring the orders to the truck that corresponds to them, so that everything is in order, it is necessary to Container Loading Supervision:

Check that the truck waiting on the platform is the correct one.

Place the goods in such a way as to balance the loads. In addition, it is essential that the truck is perfectly anchored to the loading docks. We generally use handling equipment such as pallet trucks or forklifts to carry out this operation which must be carried out with extreme caution.

Give the documents to the carrier for signing.

It is important that you keep in mind that the loading and unloading process involves risks for workers. They can cause falls, block your operators or cause accidents related to handling solutions.