Native Label Printing with BigCommerce

This feature currently only available to US-based ShipStation accounts.

ShipStation powers label printing directly within the BigCommerce platform so that you can manage your orders and create shipping labels in a single place.

When you open a new ShipStation account through BigCommerce, you can access ShipStation features and benefits inside your BigCommerce dashboard. With native label printing in BigCommerce, you can:

Native Label Printing Requirements

Print Setup Requirements:

  • Must be logged in to Big Commerce as a store owner to install the ShipStation plug-in.

    Once the plugin is installed, all BigCommerce users can print ShipStation labels.

    • Non-store owners who wish to access ShipStation should request the store owner grant them permission in the Single Click App settings.

      Store owners can enable users in BigCommerce to access ShipStation by adding ShipStation to the Single Click Apps Permission on their User Profile. Do this for each user you wish to access ShipStation in BigCommerce.

      These users will also need their own user login to access ShipStation.

  • No active ShipStation account.

    If you already have a ShipStation account, use this BigCommerce guide to connect to and print labels instead.

Set Up Shipping in BigCommerce

To enable native label printing, you must create your ShipStation account through BigCommerce.

  1. Go to ShipStation in the BigCommerce Apps Marketplace.

  2. Choose Log in for the Existing BigCommerce store option.

    The Log In button is marked for the existing BigCommerce store option.
  3. Log into your BigCommerce account using your BigCommerce account username and password.

  4. Click the Install button.

    BigCommerce ShipStation app with Install button highlighted

    Owner Access Required

    Only store owners can install the ShipStation app.

  5. Click Confirm to agree to the app permissions.

    You will then see the BigCommerce ShipStation app signup page.

    ShipStation log in page open in BigCommerce
  6. Enter your details into the form fields and click Activate Free Account to sign up for a ShipStation account.

  7. Click Connect to complete the connection.

Once you have set up your ShipStation account, native label printing will be ready to use in your BigCommerce account!

You can access your new ShipStation account to manage your settings, fund your ShipStation Carriers balance, and more at shipstation.com.

Connect Your Own Carriers

If you have existing carrier accounts that you would like to use to ship your BigCommerce orders, you can connect these carriers in ShipStation.

Once the carriers are connected to your new ShipStation account, you can get rates and create labels for the carrier services in the BigCommerce native label printing sidebar.

Create a Label in BigCommerce

Once you have enabled native label printing, you can create shipping labels from the Orders section of your BigCommerce account.

To create a shipping label for a single order:

  1. Click the Action menu Actions menu next to the order you want to ship, then select Ship with ShipStation from the drop-down menu.

    This will open the Ship with ShipStation sidebar.

    Expand the Action menu and select Ship with ShipStation.
  2. Review the Ship DateShip From address, and Ship To address.

    You can select a different Ship From address if you have multiple addresses for your account.

    BC_NLP-SB_ODET_ShipFrom_MRK.png
  3. Click the Select Service tab under the Package Details section.

    BC_NLP-SB_SelectService_MRK.png

    Browse Rates for Multiple Services

    If you prefer to browse rates before selecting a shipping service, click the Browse Rates tab.

    See the Browse Shipping Rates in BigCommerce section below for more details.

  4. Select your desired Service and Package Type from the drop-down menus, then enter your package dimensions and weight.

    BC_NLP-SB_SelectService-Example.png
  5. Click the Calculate Rate button.

    BC_NLP-SB_CalculateRateBTN.png
  6. Review your shipment details under the Confirm Shipping Service section, then click the Purchase Now button.

    BC_NLP-SB_PurchaseNowBTN_MRK.png

    The Print Label with ShipStation sidebar will update to show the tracking number for your shipment.

  7. Click the Print Label button to download or print your shipping label through your web browser. The label PDF will open in a new browser tab.

    BC_NLP-SB_PrintLabel_MRK.png

Browse Shipping Rates in BigCommerce

You can estimate your shipping costs before creating labels by browsing rates for different carrier services. From the Print Label with ShipStation sidebar, you can view available rates for your shipment based on the Package Details and save rates to create labels at a later time.

To browse rates in the Print Label with ShipStation sidebar:

  1. Click the Action menu Actions menu next to the order you want to ship, then select Print Label with ShipStation from the drop-down menu.

    Expand the Action menu and select Ship with ShipStation.
  2. Click the Browse Rates tab under the Package Details section.

    BC_NLP-SB_BrowseRates_MRK.png
  3. Enter the Dimensions and Weight for your custom package type.

    BC_NLP-SB_BrowseRates-Example_MRK.png

    If you are using a specific carrier packaging type, select the name of the packaging from the Package Type drop-down menu.

    BC_NLP-SB_BrowseRates-PackageType_MRK.png
  4. Click the Calculate Rates button.

    BC_NLP-SB_CalculateRatesBTN.png

    Eligible carrier services will appear under the Select Shipping Service section based on your package details.

  5. Choose your desired service and rate, then click the Purchase Now button.

    BC_NLP-SB_SelectRate_MRK.png
  6. Click the Print Label button to download or print your shipping label through your web browser. The label PDF will open in a new browser tab.

    BC_NLP-SB_PrintLabel_MRK.png

Save Rate for Later Purchase

Not ready to purchase your label yet? Click the Save Rate button to save the rate for this order.

When you reopen the order in the Print Label with ShipStation sidebar, your rate will appear under the Confirm Shipping Service section.

BC_NLP-SB_SaveRate-Confirm_MRK.png

Add Customs Declarations to International Orders

You can add customs declarations to international orders under the Customs Form section of the Print Label with ShipStation sidebar.

  1. Click the Contents Type drop-down menu and select the option that best describes the contents of your shipment (such as Merchandise or Documents).

    BC_NLP-SB_Customs-Contents_MRK.png
  2. Choose how you would like the carrier to proceed with the shipment if it is unable to be delivered to the recipient from the If Delivery Fails drop-down menu (for example, Return to Sender).

    BC_NLP-SB_Customs-Delivery_MRK.png
  3. Click + Add Declaration to declare customs information for the first item in your shipment.

    BC_NLP-SB_Customs-AddDeclaration.png
  4. Complete the customs declaration form, then click the Add button.

    BC_NLP-SB_Customs-NewDeclaration_MRK.png

    Notes About Customs Declarations

    • If the Quantity is more than 1, the Amount will automatically multiply by the Quantity.

    • The total value must be greater than $0.00 even if the item is free. The carrier will return the package to sender if the total value is listed as $0.00.

    • For a full list of Harmonization Codes (HS Codes), go to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule page from the U.S. International Trade Commission.

To add customs information for additional shipment items, click the + Add Declaration button again.

To edit a declaration, click the vertical ellipsis icon on the declaration and select the Edit or Remove option.

BC_NLP-SB_Customs-Edit_MRK.png

Tips for Using Native Label Printing

  • The Print Label with ShipStation side automatically validates Ship To addresses.

    To change the address, click Edit and enter the new address details. To revert to the original address, click the drop-down arrow next to the validation marker and click Use Original.

    BC_NLP-SB_ShipTo-Edit_MRK.png
  • When configuring your shipment in the Package Details section, you can optionally add a Confirmation type and Insurance coverage:

    • Toggle the Confirmation button on, then select a confirmation type from the drop-down menu (such as Delivery or Signature).

      BC_NLP-SB_Confirmation_MRK.png
    • Toggle the Insurance button on and select your provider from the drop-down menu, then enter the value of your shipment.

      You can insure your shipments with ParcelGuard, carrier insurance, or third-party insurance.

      BC_NLP-SB_Insurance_MRK.png