Control whether orders ship partially when full inventory isn't available, preventing incomplete shipments or allowing flexible fulfillment.
What is Partial Fulfillment?
Partial fulfillment occurs when an order cannot be completely shipped due to insufficient inventory. There are two scenarios to understand:
- Multiple items in an order: When 2 out of 3 different items are available (this is supported by default)
- Partial quantities of a single item: When only 2 units are available but 3 units were ordered
Default Behavior
By default, the system ships partial orders automatically. This means:
- Orders will be fulfilled even when complete inventory isn't available
- Remaining items stay in "pending shipment" status
- Customers receive available items immediately
Blocking Partial Fulfillment
You can configure the system to block partial fulfillment, which means:
- Orders will only ship when 100% of inventory is available
- Auto-fulfillment is prevented for incomplete orders
- Orders remain in pending status until full inventory is available
Configuration Options
UI Configuration
A toggle control is available in the Marketplace Configuration table to enable/disable partial fulfillments, similar to the Manual mode setting.
How It Works
- When partial fulfillment is allowed: Orders ship immediately with available inventory
- When partial fulfillment is blocked: System waits for complete inventory before shipping
- Holdback quantities: Help prevent partial fulfillment by reserving inventory appropriately
Best Practices
- Consider your customer experience preferences when configuring this setting
- Use holdback quantities in conjunction with partial fulfillment settings
- Monitor pending orders when partial fulfillment is blocked to avoid delays
- Communicate shipping policies clearly to customers
Related Features
- Holdback quantities management
- Auto-fulfillment settings
- Manual fulfillment mode
- Inventory management
Troubleshooting
Problem: Orders stuck in pending shipment Solution: Check if partial fulfillment is blocked and inventory levels are sufficient
Problem: Customers receiving incomplete orders Solution: Enable partial fulfillment blocking to ensure complete shipments
For additional support or questions about partial fulfillment configuration, contact the technical team.