# Parcels, packages, and pickups

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The physical side of fulfillment: splitting shipments into parcels, packing them into sized boxes, and scheduling carrier pickups.
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## Parcels

[Parcels](/core-api-reference/parcels.md) are shipping line items that represent how a shipment is split for delivery. A shipment can be split into two or more parcels, each tracked individually through the carrier integration. Each parcel includes a shipping label and tracking information that customers can use to monitor their shipment.

## Parcel line items

[Parcel line items](/core-api-reference/parcel_line_items.md) are the individual SKUs within a parcel. If a stock line item is not split, the parcel line items correspond directly to its SKUs. If a stock line item is split, it is distributed across more than one parcel line item.

## Packages

[Packages](/core-api-reference/packages.md) are physical boxes or packs stored at a stock location, with predefined dimensions (length, width, height) and weight. Each stock location can have its own set of packages. Shipping carriers use these dimensions to calculate shipping rates.

## Pickups

[Pickups](/core-api-reference/pickups.md) are associated with eligible shipments and defined by a time window — an earliest and latest time at which the package is available for collection. Once created, the carrier's available pickup rates are returned automatically. A rate must then be selected and purchased to schedule the pickup.


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