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Properly labeling your boxes and pallets is essential for efficient receiving at Cahoot warehouses. This guide explains how to generate, fill out, and apply Cahoot Box Content Labels to ensure your inbound shipments are processed quickly and accurately.

Why Box Content Labels Matter: These labels tell our warehouse team exactly what's inside each box or pallet, enabling faster receiving and reducing errors during inventory processing.

Quick Decision Guide:

  • Small Parcel Shipments: Use Standard Process
  • Pallets with well-labeled case packs: Use Standard Process
  • Pallets needing individual box labels: Use Enhanced Method
🔍 Understanding the Box and Pallet Label System

How the Label System Works

When you click Download Box and Pallet Labels, the system generates an editable PDF based on your packing information:

  • For Small Parcel Shipments: Creates one label per box entered in packing information
  • For LTL/FTL Pallets: Creates one label per pallet entered in packing information
  • Special Cases: Additional box labels can be generated using the workaround method below

When You Need These Labels

Always Required:

  • All parcel shipments (each individual box needs a label)
  • Pallets containing cartons with multiple SKUs or mixed quantities
  • Any shipment where contents aren't clearly visible or labeled

May Not Be Required:

  • Pallets with single SKU shipments where boxes are already properly labeled
  • Pallets where each case pack is clearly marked with SKU and quantity by you or your supplier
📦 Standard Process: Parcel Shipments (Small Parcel)

For shipments going via UPS, FedEx, or other parcel carriers, the process is straightforward:

1Navigate to your approved inbound in the Packing Information section.

2Click Download Box and Pallet Labels button.

Download Box Labels Button
Click to expand image

3The system opens an editable PDF with one label per box based on your packing information.

4Fill out each label by clicking into the fields:

  • SKU: Enter the product SKU(s) in this box
  • Item Name: Enter the product name(s)
  • Qty: Enter the quantity of each SKU in this specific box
Download Box Labels Button
Click to expand image
Multiple SKUs in One Box: If a single box contains multiple SKUs, list each one on a separate row within the same label. Include the quantity for each SKU.

5Print the labels and affix one to the outside of each corresponding box.

6Apply labels properly:

  • Place labels on the top or side of each box
  • Avoid placing labels across box seams or edges
  • Ensure labels are flat and securely attached
  • Keep labels away from shipping labels and other markings
🚛 Standard Process: LTL/FTL Pallet Shipments

For pallet shipments where each pallet contains properly labeled case packs from you or your supplier:

When Labeling is Adequate

If your your case packs already show:

  • Clear SKU identification
  • Accurate quantity per case
  • Readable product information

Then you only need pallet labels:

1Navigate to your approved inbound in the Packing Information section.

2Click Download Box and Pallet Labels button.

3Fill out the pallet labels with all SKUs and total quantities per pallet.

4Print and attach labels to the outside of each pallet.

When Additional Box Labels Are Needed

Generate individual box labels if:

  • Case pack boxes inside pallets lack clear SKU markings
  • Multiple SKUs are mixed within pallets
  • Case pack quantities aren't clearly marked
  • You want to ensure fastest possible receiving

For these situations, use the Enhanced Method described in the next section.

⚡ Enhanced Method: Generating Individual Box Labels for Pallets

This method generates both pallet labels AND individual box labels for LTL/FTL shipments:

Important: This is a workaround for the current system limitation. Only use this method when you need individual box labels for pallet shipments.

Step-by-Step Enhanced Method

1Modify your packing information in the inbound:

  • Keep your pallet entries as normal
  • Add additional "Box" entries for the total number of case packs
  • Enter realistic dimensions and weights for the individual boxes

Critical for Cahoot Partnered Carriers: If using Cahoot's Partnered Carriers for freight, you must delete the box entries from the Packing Information section immediately after printing the labels. This prevents the system from using incorrect package information when scheduling your freight pickup.

Safety Tip: Enter "boxes inside pallets" in the Cargo Description field for the box entries. This helps identify that these are internal contents, not separate packages, in case you forget to delete them.

Example Scenario:

You're shipping 2 pallets, each containing 10 case packs (20 total boxes):

  • Row 1: Type: Pallet, Qty: 2, [pallet dimensions]
  • Row 2: Type: Box, Qty: 20, [individual case pack dimensions]
Pallet and Box Labels
Click to expand image

2Click Download Box and Pallet Labels.

3The system now generates:

  • 2 Pallet Labels (for the pallets)
  • 20 Box Labels (for individual case packs)

4Fill out the pallet labels:

  • List all SKUs contained on each pallet
  • Include total quantities per pallet
  • Note the number of boxes on each pallet

5Fill out individual box labels:

  • One label per case pack/box
  • Specific SKUs and quantities for each individual box
  • Match each box label to its corresponding case pack

6Click [Print] in the PDF window to send the labels to your printer

7Edit the inbound and Delete the Box entry from the Packing Information

Note: If your unable to edit the inbound to delete the additional box entries, send a conversation message letting us know. We will make sure to update the inbound before scheduling the freight.
Delete Box Labels
Click to expand image

8Apply labels correctly:

  • Pallet Labels: Attach to the outside of each pallet wrap or strapping
  • Box Labels: Attach to each individual case pack within the pallet
  • Ensure both label types are visible and accessible
Pro Tip: When filling out labels, work systematically - complete all pallet labels first, then work through box labels pallet by pallet to maintain organization.
✅ Best Practices and Tips

Label Filling Best Practices

  • Use exact SKUs: Match the SKU exactly as it appears in your Cahoot account
  • Be specific with quantities: List individual quantities, not ranges
  • Include item names: This helps warehouse staff verify contents
  • Double-check math: Ensure box quantities add up to total inbound quantities

Physical Label Application

  • Print clearly: Use a printer with adequate toner/ink
  • Protect from moisture: Consider clear tape over labels if needed
  • Placement consistency: Place all labels in similar positions
  • Visibility: Ensure labels are easily visible to warehouse staff

Enhanced Method Reminders

Don't Forget: If you used the Enhanced Method with Cahoot Partnered Carriers, remember to delete the box entries from packing information after printing labels but before scheduling freight.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't skip labels: Even if boxes look similar, each needs its own label
  • Don't use handwritten labels: Only use the printed Cahoot labels
  • Don't place over seams: Labels on box edges can tear during handling
  • Don't leave fields blank: Fill out all fields completely

Troubleshooting

If the PDF won't open or edit:

  • Confirm your using Chrome browser
  • Disable popup blockers for the Cahoot site
  • Clear browser cache and try again

If you need more labels than generated:

  • Increase the box quantity in your packing information
  • Use the Enhanced Method described above
  • Contact support if you continue having issues

If freight scheduling shows wrong package count:

  • Check if you forgot to delete box entries after using Enhanced Method
  • Edit the inbound and remove box entries, keeping only pallet entries
  • Contact support if freight has already been scheduled incorrectly
🎥 Visual Examples and Additional Resources

Sample Label Examples

Example Box Content Label
Click to expand - Example of completed box content label

Related Articles

Need Help? If you're having trouble with label generation or have questions about the best labeling approach for your specific shipment, contact Cahoot support using the conversations panel on your inbound.

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