UPS Shipping rate computation plugin has been enhanced with additional packing options. Two additional options have been added to the original.
Options can be set in the UPS Configuration screen. Here are the decriptions for the packing options:
Original - this is the default. The number of packages is calculated based on total product item dimensions. The configuration screen also has option to "send dimensions" to UPS API (in addition to weight), otherwise only the weight is sent. But, be careful here- this still uses the original "total dimension divided by # of packages". I've posted about how that can be inaccurate and that the below cube root is better.
The number of packages is based on the total product volume. Then, it calculates package dimensions based on cube root of volume. Volume defaults to 5,184 cubic inches.
Each shopping cart item is a separate package. Each shopping cart item's dimensions are used to create its package dimensions. This is the option that should be used with the Shipping Director when it will perform the packing. (Currently, nopC shipping plugins cannot take "packages"; thus, the Shipping Director fabricates dummy shopping cart items with "packed" dimensions, weight, and total price.).
