What is a consignment?

In the context of the Consignments platform, the term “consignment” refers to a collection of one or more packages that are shipped from the same origin address, to the same destination address, on behalf of the same Sorted customer, using the same carrier service, on the same day. A consignment must contain at least one package.

A package is a physical object to be shipped. Packages have dimensions, weight and value properties, and can contain items. Items are not mandatory properties within a package.

As an example, suppose that a clothing retailer has received a customer order for a necklace, a bracelet, a coat, and a hat. As the necklace and bracelet are both physically small, the retailer elects to ship them in the same package. As such, this sales order would break down to:

  • Four items - The necklace, the bracelet, the coat, and the hat.
  • Three packages - One containing the necklace and bracelet, one containing the coat, and one containing the hat.
  • A single consignment corresponding to everything on the order.