How to track shipping boxes and packaging in Shopify: FAQ
Shopify tracks the products you sell. It doesn't track the boxes, mailers and packing supplies you ship them in. Here are straight answers on what Shopify does on its own, and what PACKTRACK adds.
Does Shopify track packaging inventory on its own?
Not as packaging. Shopify has no packaging or supplies item type. You can create boxes as hidden products and track their quantity, but nothing takes a box off stock when an order ships unless you build a Shopify Flow workflow, and that workflow adds the box without checking stock.
Read the full guide: How to track packaging materials in Shopify
How do I keep track of shipping boxes in Shopify?
On its own, Shopify needs a workaround: add each box as an unlisted product with tracked quantity, then use a Shopify Flow workflow to add it to orders. With PACKTRACK, your boxes, mailers and packing supplies are tracked as packaging inventory, and packaging is assigned to every paid order automatically, by your rules or by Peter.
Read the full guide: How to track packaging materials in Shopify
What do Shopify's package settings do?
Shopify's package settings store the size and weight of your boxes so it can calculate shipping rates and buy labels. They don't count how many boxes you have.
Read the full guide: Shopify package settings, what they do and what they don't
How does PACKTRACK pick the right box?
Set simple rules, or let Peter, the built-in AI assistant, pick the best-fit box from your product dimensions. Packaging is assigned when a paid order comes in.
When does packaging stock go down?
Stock is reserved when packaging is assigned to an order and deducted when you fulfill in Shopify.
What packaging can I track?
Boxes, mailers, envelopes, fillers, tissue paper, void fill and other accessories. There's no limit on the number of packaging materials.
Can I get low-stock alerts for boxes and mailers?
Yes. PACKTRACK sends low-stock and out-of-stock alerts by email and in the app, at the thresholds you set. On its own, Shopify can do this only with a Shopify Flow workflow you set up.
Can I see what packaging costs per order?
Yes. PACKTRACK shows packaging cost per order, average cost and trends over time. Shopify's own profit reports have no packaging cost line.
Read the full guide: How to work out packaging cost per order in Shopify
Does PACKTRACK handle purchase orders for packaging?
Yes. Log purchase orders for your packaging to get an average cost (COGS).
Shopify's Stocky app is going away. Does PACKTRACK replace it?
Only for packaging. Shopify says Stocky won't be available after August 31, 2026. PACKTRACK tracks stock and purchase orders for your packaging materials, not for the products you sell.
Is PACKTRACK a parcel tracking app?
No. PACKTRACK doesn't track deliveries. It counts your packaging (boxes, mailers and supplies) and assigns it to your Shopify orders.
Which stores is PACKTRACK for?
Shopify stores that pack and ship orders and want to stop guessing box sizes and running out of packaging. It installs from the Shopify App Store.
How much does PACKTRACK cost?
$12 a month, billed through Shopify, with a 15-day free trial. Cancel anytime.