Glossary Discription

 Pick-to-box is an order fulfillment method where pickers place items directly into the final shipping box or container during the picking process, combining picking and packing activities into a single efficient operation particularly suited for e-commerce orders containing few items. In this system, pickers receive order information on handheld devices or pick-to-light displays, select an appropriately sized shipping box from available options, retrieve all items for that specific order while carrying the box, and pack items with protective materials as they pick, resulting in a completed, ready-to-ship package at the end of the picking route. This approach eliminates separate packing stations and intermediate handling steps, reduces total processing time per order, minimizes labor costs by consolidating tasks, and decreases potential for order mix-ups since each picker maintains complete responsibility for individual orders from start to finish. Pick-to-box is most effective for orders with predictable item quantities typically ranging from one to five items, in facilities with ergonomic picking layouts supporting box transport, and for products requiring minimal specialized packing procedures. The method requires pickers to make box size selection decisions and carry boxes during picking, which may reduce efficiency for heavy items or complex orders requiring extensive protective packaging.

Characteristics:

• Items placed directly into final shipping box
• Combines picking and packing activities
• Picker carries shipping box during picking
• Eliminates separate packing stations
• Ideal for small e-commerce orders
• Reduces handling steps and processing time