Explains how to set a shipment's ship from location, dimensions, weight, service type, and other options.
Help Getting Started
If you need assistance with automation in ShipStation, we offer both professional services and self-paced training options.
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Our Professional Services team can provide both consultation and implementation services to help you configure the automation that is right for your business right away.
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If learning by doing is more your style, take the ShipStation University Intro to ShipStation course. The lesson videos will show you how to navigate ShipStation, connect stores and carrier accounts, import orders, configure your shipments, and create your labels!
You must set your shipping options before you can get a rate and create a label.
Shipping options include:
You'll set these shipping options in the Configure Shipment Widget, which you can access either in the sidebar of the Orders grid or an order's Order Details screen.
Orders Grid Shipping Sidebar:
Oder Details Screen:
The Ship From Location is the address where your packages ship from. This information is required before the carrier will return a rate or create a label.
If you added a Ship From Location while in the Onboard screen, ShipStation will have automatically selected this location for you. However, if you did not yet create one, you must add one now.
To add your first Ship From Location, select an order in your Orders grid and do the following:
Click Add Ship From Location in the Shipping Sidebar.
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Enter the location name, then fill in the address you will be shipping your packages from.
If your Return Address will be different, be sure to uncheck the Same as Ship From Address box and fill in your Return Address as well.
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Click Save Location.
You are now ready to set your shipping service, package, weight, and other shipping options.
Set your weight, service, package type, insurance, and other options in the Configure Shipment Widget.
Required Settings | |
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Weight |
Type in the weight, use the arrows, or use a scale with ShipStation Connect to auto-detect the weight. |
Shipping Service |
The available services will depend on which carrier accounts you have connected to ShipStation. For accounts with multiple carriers, the services will be organized by carrier. |
Package Type |
The available package types will depend on the carrier you have selected. |
Dimensions |
Dimensions are required for all services that use dimensional or volumetric weight. You may get a rate without dimensions, however, many carriers reserve the right to post-bill additional charges if dimensions are not included and dimensional weight applies to the service. |
Additional Options | |
|---|---|
Insurance |
Shipsurance: Shipstation's discount insurance provider. This option will charge insurance to the same credit card used for your ShipStation subscription. Carrier insurance: Add insurance provided by the carrier. Set the amount above the default amount. External: If you have third-party insurance, you can indicate so here. This option is meant for reporting purposes only, and performs no other function within ShipStation. |
Confirmation |
Available options will depend upon your selected shipping service. |
Other Shipping Options |
Includes options like Saturday Delivery, Include a Return Label, and 3rd Party Billing. Available options will depend upon your selected shipping service. |
Once you have configured your shipping options, ShipStation will automatically contact the carrier for the rate and display it in the Rate field of the Configure Shipment Widget and the Rate column in the Orders grid.
To view rates for other carriers or services, simply select a different service and ShipStation will update the rate automatically.
You are now ready to create your label!
Automate Your Workflow!
ShipStation can automate much of these processes. To learn how, review the articles about Automation.
Before you create a label, the postage provider will need shipping details, like the Ship From Location, shipping service, and package weight.
You'll enter this information into the Shipping Info section of the Orders tab Shipping Sidebar.
Follow the steps below to get started.
If you haven't yet added a Ship From Location in your Settings, this will be the first step you take before filling in any of your package details.
Click the Ship From drop-down menu.
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Choose Add my location.
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Enter the details for your Ship From Location.
This is the address you will be shipping your packages from. You can add more Ship From Locations in your account settings.
Click Save Changes.
You can now enter your package weight, dimensions, and shipping service.
Most carriers use dimensional weight when calculating shipping rates. Having accurate dimensions and weight for your shipment is crucial for getting accurate rates.
Carrier Maximums and Minimums
Some services or package types have weight and dimension maximums and minimums. Check with your carrier for details if you are uncertain of these limits.
Before getting a rate for the shipping label, you must select a service and package type from the drop-down menus.
Service |
The services listed in the drop-down are determined by the postage provider connected to your ShipStation account. |
Package |
The type of packaging is determined by the carrier service selected. |
Weight |
Type in the weight, use the arrows, or use a scale with ShipStation Connect to auto-detect the weight. Using Product Defaults can automate this process. |