---
id: CON-COM-FUL-004
name: Shipment
feature: FEAT-COM-FUL-03
product_area: commerce
module: fulfillment
revision: 1
status: draft
product_intent: proposed
implementation_evidence: observed
source_sha:
  services-commerce: c8b66a98e2490617aec38ba5c8165dd9bd0a8f9b
  react-console: baf6dae382d6f41dce976c7f848667ccc37e076f
definition: >-
  A shipment organizes the picking, packing and departure of an order's physical
  units at one warehouse, through carriage or collection.
owned_by: MOD-COM-FUL
synonyms:
  - wave
  - parcel shipment
  - pick-up
not_to_be_confused_with:
  - The commercial order owning the sale
  - An individual parcel within shipment work
  - The return document authorizing incoming goods
facets:
  - name: Shipment line
    meaning: >-
      A shipment line groups a contiguous range of an order line's units and
      follows their handling state.
    used_for: Understanding shipment line in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/db/shipment-lines.table.ts'
  - name: Pick list
    meaning: >-
      A warehouse picking batch identifies its picker and records full or short
      quantities.
    used_for: Understanding pick list in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/fulfillment/picking.ts'
  - name: Parcel
    meaning: A packed parcel groups contents with weight and label information.
    used_for: Understanding parcel in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/db/packages.table.ts'
  - name: Carrier label
    meaning: >-
      Carrier purchase attempts retain the label, tracking and charged cost and
      support voiding.
    used_for: Understanding carrier label in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/fulfillment/labels.ts'
  - name: Shipping zone and strategy
    meaning: >-
      Zones and charging strategies supply destination coverage and shipping or
      collection choices.
    used_for: Understanding shipping zone and strategy in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/rating/zone-strategy-rating.ts'
  - name: Carrier account
    meaning: >-
      The account identifies a carrier connection without holding its
      credentials.
    used_for: Understanding carrier account in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/db/carrier-accounts.table.ts'
  - name: Pick-up
    meaning: >-
      Collection completes through a named recipient at the counter instead of
      carriage.
    used_for: Understanding pick-up in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/fulfillment/handoff.ts'
  - name: Cancellation fence
    meaning: >-
      Cancellation fencing prevents the same unit range from departing unchecked
      during cancellation.
    used_for: Understanding cancellation fence in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: >-
      services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/fulfillment/cancellation-fence.ts
  - name: Return receipt and return label
    meaning: >-
      Incoming labels and receipts support authorized return arrival, inspection
      and disposition.
    used_for: Understanding return receipt and return label in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/services/returns/return-receiving.ts'
  - name: History
    meaning: Immutable events explain warehouse and carrier progression.
    used_for: Understanding history in the shipment workflow.
    provenance: observed
    source: 'services-commerce:modules/shipping/db/shipment-events.table.ts'
relationships:
  - to: CON-COM-FUL-001
    statement: Handover records completion for the shipment units' obligations.
    provenance: test
    source: >-
      services-commerce:modules/shipping/tests/integration/services/fulfillment/shipping-flow.integration.spec.js#completes
      every unit’s obligation through the register (the allocation as the
      record), and emits one deferred cost relief fact per item
  - to: CON-COM-FUL-005
    statement: >-
      Shipment departure records the stock movement associated with its
      committed allocations.
    provenance: test
    source: >-
      services-commerce:modules/shipping/tests/integration/services/fulfillment/shipping-flow.integration.spec.js#hands
      off: the line handed to the carrier with its whole quantity shipped, the
      units shipped in the ledger, one shipment movement of minus three on the
      item, three fewer on hand
lifecycle:
  - state: open
    meaning: Order units have been assigned to shipment work.
    how_it_changes: Staff release the work or cancel it before departure.
  - state: 'released, picking, picked'
    meaning: Warehouse staff are preparing the units.
    how_it_changes: Pick results advance the applicable lines and batch.
  - state: 'packing, packed'
    meaning: Units are being assigned to parcels.
    how_it_changes: Carrier labels or pickup handover continue after packing.
  - state: 'labelled, manifested'
    meaning: Carrier preparation is recorded.
    how_it_changes: Handoff confirms physical departure.
  - state: handed to carrier or collected
    meaning: Goods have departed through carriage or collection.
    how_it_changes: Requested tracking can supply the subsequent delivery result.
  - state: delivered or cancelled
    meaning: The shipment retains its delivered or cancelled result.
    how_it_changes: Further handling follows the applicable shipment and parcel guards.
acted_on_by:
  - CAP-COM-FUL-010
  - CAP-COM-FUL-011
  - CAP-COM-FUL-012
  - CAP-COM-FUL-013
  - CAP-COM-FUL-014
  - CAP-COM-FUL-015
visible_to:
  - ACT-COM-010
  - ACT-COM-009
  - ACT-COM-008
evidence:
  - repository: services-commerce
    sources:
      - >-
        services-commerce:modules/shipping/tests/integration/services/fulfillment/shipping-flow.integration.spec.js#completes
        every unit’s obligation through the register (the allocation as the
        record), and emits one deferred cost relief fact per item
      - >-
        services-commerce:modules/shipping/tests/integration/services/fulfillment/shipping-flow.integration.spec.js#hands
        off: the line handed to the carrier with its whole quantity shipped, the
        units shipped in the ledger, one shipment movement of minus three on the
        item, three fewer on hand
  - repository: react-console
    sources: []
supersedes: []
---

# Shipment

## What It Is

A shipment is the warehouse work that organizes physical units leaving an order's stock allocation. It groups units at one warehouse and carries the destination and shipping choice associated with the order. Staff progress that work through picking and packing before handing it to a carrier or a collecting buyer. The shipment gives warehouse activity its own record without changing the identity of the sale.

A single order can require several shipments. Stock ready now can leave while backordered units wait for replenishment and a later wave. Shipment lines identify the quantities being handled, and parcels describe how those quantities are packed. A pickup uses the same broad departure accounting while following a collection path without carrier labels. History records the sequence of warehouse and carrier-related events so staff can reconstruct the handling of a particular shipment.

## What It Is Not

A shipment is not a parcel: one shipment can contain several packages with separate labels and tracking. It is also not the order's delivery obligation, although departure completes the physical units' obligations. The order remains responsible for the commercial sale. A return authorization belongs to the post-sale document workflow; receiving and label work account for the goods moving under that authorization.

## How It Is Used

Warehouse staff create a shipment from eligible order allocations, release work to the floor and organize picking. They record shortages rather than treat every planned quantity as found. Packing creates the parcels that carrier work uses. Staff then label and manifest carrier shipments or record pickup collection. The console currently exposes a limited shipment entry point, so the full floor workflow remains service-driven. Refused handover needs attention before any goods leave.

## Its Facets

**Shipment line.** A shipment line groups a contiguous range of an order line's units and follows their handling state. Understanding shipment line in the shipment workflow.

**Pick list.** A warehouse picking batch identifies its picker and records full or short quantities. Understanding pick list in the shipment workflow.

**Parcel.** A packed parcel groups contents with weight and label information. Understanding parcel in the shipment workflow.

**Carrier label.** Carrier purchase attempts retain the label, tracking and charged cost and support voiding. Understanding carrier label in the shipment workflow.

**Shipping zone and strategy.** Zones and charging strategies supply destination coverage and shipping or collection choices. Understanding shipping zone and strategy in the shipment workflow.

**Carrier account.** The account identifies a carrier connection without holding its credentials. Understanding carrier account in the shipment workflow.

**Pick-up.** Collection completes through a named recipient at the counter instead of carriage. Understanding pick-up in the shipment workflow.

**Cancellation fence.** Cancellation fencing prevents the same unit range from departing unchecked during cancellation. Understanding cancellation fence in the shipment workflow.

**Return receipt and return label.** Incoming labels and receipts support authorized return arrival, inspection and disposition. Understanding return receipt and return label in the shipment workflow.

**History.** Immutable events explain warehouse and carrier progression. Understanding history in the shipment workflow.

## How It Relates

Orders supply sold quantities and saved shipping choices. Stock allocations supply the particular units, and handover changes their ledger state. Obligations provide delivery authorization and completion. Cost relief is invoked at departure through the configured provider, while carrier integration uses Platform connections. Stock findings retain warehouse and label problems outside the operations queue.

## What It Could Become

The product should supply the picking, packing, handover and receiving screens needed for ordinary warehouse work. Tracking automation, label storage and returned-to-sender handling remain open delivery edges. Design also needs clear evidence for carrier behavior beyond local fixtures before staff rely on the integration operationally.
