Item sorting system

An item sorting system includes at least three modules for processing items requiring sorting, a conveyor line to transport the items in a first transport path from the first to the second and to the third module, and a bypass to transport items requiring sorting in a second transport path from the first to the third module thereby bypassing the second module. A control unit sets a spacing between the items in the conveyor line upstream of the bypass as a function of an activation of the bypass. The bypass is to mitigate stresses to which items are exposed when the item sorting system is used in a plurality of passes with different functions.