Steps to try if you are unable to get rates or create a label for a carrier in ShipStation. Includes common label and rate errors and how to skip warnings.
Follow the troubleshooting steps outlined below when you cannot get rates or create labels for a connected carrier in ShipStation.
This article also lists the following:
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Common error messages that occur when getting rates or creating labels, as well as their meaning and solutions.
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Common skip label warnings. Skip label warnings do not stop you from creating shipping labels, but do bring something to your attention that might influence your shipping decision.
Check for errors when you are unable to get rates or create a label. Hover over the error indicator to view the error or a message indicating what needs to be corrected.
The Common Label and Rate Errors section below includes a list of the most common errors and steps to resolve them. Compare the error you're seeing in ShipStation with the error table to see if there is a solution.
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Did viewing the error message assist you with correcting your issue? |
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Great! |
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OK, review the carrier integration guide for possible solutions to the issue. |
Our Integration Help Guide includes a help article for each of our integrated carriers. Each article includes a list of available services, possible restrictions, and errors that could affect your ability to get a rate or create a label. When possible, we also include troubleshooting tips and links to partner resources that can help you address issues you encounter when creating labels.
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Great! |
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Please reach out to ShipStation support. We are happy to help. |
Expand any of the errors below to review detailed information and possible solutions related to the error.
When this error occurs:
When attempting to get a rate, the following errors may occur:
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Please select a shipping service
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Please select a package type
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Please specify a weight
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Please select a 'Ship From'
Reason for the error:
The shipment detail shown in the error has not been set yet. ShipStation requires all four shipment details to create a label successfully.
Possible solution:
Set the missing values for the shipment.
Error message:
Return Services are unavailable with the requested service
Reason for this error:
Not all carriers/services can be used for return labels.
Possible solution:
Review the Integrations Help Guide for your carrier for details. Details about Return Labels are in the Available Features section within each carrier's article.
Error message:
Selected service is not compatible with other settings (package type, weight, size)
Reason for this error:
The service, package, weight, dimensions, or Other Shipping Options selected for the shipment are not compatible with each other.
Possible solution:
Review the shipment details to pinpoint the invalid shipment settings. You may need to refer to the carrier's service guide for details on allowed package types, dimensions, and shipping options.
Error message:
The mail class [X] cannot be used with package type [Y] for domestic mail. or The mail class [X] is not available for [Y]
Reason for this error:
The selected shipping service and package type are not compatible with each other.
Possible solution:
Adjust the shipping service or package type as needed. You may need to refer to the carrier's service guide for details on which package types are compatible with which services.
Error message:
You have selected an invalid shipping service type for this address.
Reason this error occurs:
The selected shipping service is not a valid option when shipping from the Ship From address to the Ship To address.
For example, you attempt to use a domestic shipping service for an international shipment.
Possible solution:
Select a valid service for the shipment. You may need to refer to the carrier's service guide for details on allowed shipping services for the shipment destination.
Error message:
Dimensions are required in order to calculate the rate.
Reason for this error:
The selected shipping service requires dimensions, but dimensions have not been added to the shipment details.
Possible solution:
Add package dimensions to the Size area of the shipment details. To ensure you receive an accurate rate, please use the actual package dimensions.
Error message:
This field is required to ship to Mexico.
Reason for this error:
Mexico requires a summary of contents in the Package Description field. This requirement, called Carta Porte, was implemented by the Mexican Tax Authority in January of 2023. The Mexican customs authority will start enforcing this rule on August 1st, 2023.
Solution:
Enter a summary of the package contents (35 character maximum) into the Package Contents field in ShipStation. You can then successfully create your shipping labe.
Error message:
Inventory Unavailable. Insufficient inventory to fulfill these items.
Reason for this error:
The order includes a product with a higher quantity than the available inventory for the product.
Possible solution:
Click Admin Override to ignore inventory levels entirely.
No stock will be deducted from your existing inventory levels. You can manually adjust your stock levels if needed.
Error message:
Address Line 1 cannot exceed 50 characters.
Reason for this error:
The first address line (Address Line 1) of the Ship To address contains more than 50 characters.
Possible solution:
Edit the Ship To address so that Address Line 1 contains fewer than 50 characters. Move information to the Address Line 2 if needed.
Possible Truncated Address
Some carriers will still allow you to create the label even if Address Line 1 contains more than 50 characters. However, the address will be truncated beyond the character limit.
Error message:
Missing or invalid ship from company name
Reason for this error:
Your ShipStation Ship From Location is missing a Company Name.
Possible solution:
Some carriers, like UPS, require a Ship From Company Name for some services. You can either add a Company Name to your Ship From Location address in your ShipStation account settings, or add a Company Name in the Branding tab of your store's settings.
When this error occurs:
When attempting to get a rate, no error message appears but no rate is displayed after clicking Get Rate.
What this error means:
ShipStation is unable to get rates for the shipment, either because the carrier/service does not support estimated rates or you have applied a shipping option (like third-party billing) that prevents ShipStation from displaying estimated rates.
Possible solution:
Continue to create the label as normal. Even though ShipStation cannot get rates for the carrier/service, you can still create the label successfully.
If the label creation fails, you'll see a more defined error message that can help you pinpoint the issue.
You may encounter any of the following errors when a shipment includes a customs declaration:
Error Message:
No customs items have been created for international order.
When this error occurs:
The shipment requires customs information but no customs information has been added.
Possible solution:
Review the customs declarations for the shipment and add at least one customs declaration line with a valid description, quantity, and value.
Error Message:
Please add a description for your Customs Item(s).
When this error occurs:
A customs declaration has been created for the shipment but is missing the description.
Possible solution:
Review the customs declarations for the shipment and add a Description for each item in the declaration.
Error Message:
Customs contents type not set for international order.
When this error occurs:
You have not set the Package Contents option for the customs declaration.
Possible solution:
Review the customs declarations for the shipment and set the Package Contents option. In most cases, the Package Contents should be set to Merchandise.
Error Message:
Non-delivery option not set for international order.
When this error occurs:
You have not set the If Non-Delivery option for the customs declaration.
Possible solution:
Review the customs declarations for the shipment and set the If Non-Delivery option.
Error Message:
Customs item is missing quantity.
When this error occurs:
The quantity is set to 0 for an item in the declaration.
Possible solution:
Review the customs declarations for the shipment and add a Qty for each customs line.
Errors vs Warnings
When you're unable to proceed, that means you have an error rather than a warning. An error blocks you from creating a shipping label and requires you to make some kind of change before you can successfully create a label.
In ShipStation, warnings don't stop you from creating shipping labels. They exist to bring something to your attention that might influence your shipping decision.
Warnings you may encounter in ShipStation include (but are not limited to):
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This order has been Cancelled. Are you sure you want to process it?
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The total package declared value should equal the order insured value.
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This order has already been fulfilled. Are you sure you want to fulfill it again?
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Company exceeds the printable length for UPS/FedEx labels (35 characters).
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This order is currently On Hold. Are you sure you want to process it?
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The selling channel has identified this order as one that should be fulfilled outside of ShipStation. Are you sure you want to ship this?
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The selected service includes insurance for an insured amount up to $200/$100/$99/$50.
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The selected service already includes insurance for the specified insured value. For additional Shipsurance coverage please enter a value above the carrier insurance provided.
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Weight set to 16 oz. No weight specified, and package type is flat-rate.
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Delivery is an additional $2.00 for domestic. Basic Tracking is included if you select Online.
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USPS does not support Signature or Adult Signature Confirmation to International Addresses.
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The total package declared value should equal the order insured value.
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Recipient address failed verification.
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The address appears to be a PO Box. Are you sure you want to ship using this Carrier? Additional fees may apply.
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This order has already been shipped. Are you sure you want to ship it again?
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This order has already been fulfilled. Are you sure you want to fulfill it again?
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Heads up! You've included custom dimensions for a package type with a standardized size. For more accurate rates, consider removing the dimensions for this shipment.
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City / State / Zip may be too long to print properly.
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Company and Name combined may be too long to print properly.
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Address 1/2/3 may be too long to print properly. Consider splitting the address into multiple lines.
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The number of customs declarations exceeds the total ounces for the shipment. The shipment weight will be increased to reflect at least one ounce per customs item. This may result in a higher rate than quoted.
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One or more customs items have an invalid declared value.
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Address Line 1/2/3 exceeds the printable length for UPS labels (30 characters).
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You may proceed to create this UPS shipping label, but the City Name may be cut off after 15 characters.
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Address Line 3 is not supported on UPS Mail Innovation labels.
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Company exceeds the printable length for UPS/FedEx labels (35 characters).
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Address Line 1/2/3 exceeds the printable length for FedEx Smart Post labels (30 characters).
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Address Line 1 exceeds the printable length for FedEx labels (35 characters).
ShipStation Legacy Layout Only
If you're confident in your shipping methods and not interested in reviewing these warnings, try the Quickship feature if you are using ShipStation's Legacy Layout. Quickship skips the screen that shows these warnings entirely.
There are two warnings that will prevent Quickship from creating labels:
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This order has already been shipped.
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Inventory Warning: Stock level has not been provided.