GlobalPost from ShipStation

GlobalPost is a modern, economical way to ship internationally from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK to more than 220 countries*. For accounts based in these countries, you automatically have access to GlobalPost from ShipStation services once you’ve set up your ShipStation Carriers payment method.

When shipping with GlobalPost, you can enjoy the following benefits:

  • Some of the most competitive rates for international shipping (visit the GlobalPost List Pricing page for rate details)

  • Electronic customs forms submission - you no longer have to worry about printing customs forms!

  • Automatic Harmonized System Codes - as long as your item descriptions are accurate, GlobalPost will add the proper HS Codes to your customs forms!

  • No minimum volume requirements

  • No hidden surcharges

  • Default loss and damage coverage (varies by country and service)

  • Dedicated GlobalPost tracking

*GlobalPost does NOT ship to the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Russia

🇺🇸 Shipping GlobalPost with a Stamps.com Account

This article is about using GlobalPost from ShipStation, a carrier included with ShipStation carrier services.

For details about using GlobalPost services with your Stamps.com account, please read our Stamps.com: GlobalPost Services help article.

GlobalPost from ShipStation Requirements

  • A ShipStation account based in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK

  • Activate ShipStation Carriers by adding your payment method.

    You'll be prompted to enter your payment method the first time you attempt to create a label with any ShipStation Carrier, or you can add in advance in either your Carrier settings or Payments & Subscription settings.

  • Add Funds to your ShipStation Balance.

    All ShipStation Carrier labels are purchased using the funds in your ShipStation Balance. The first time you add your payment method, you'll be prompted to add funds so you can begin purchasing labels right away.

Activate ShipStation Carriers

To activate ShipStation Carriers you must add your label payment method and agree to the carriers' Terms of Service. Once activated, you'll have access to all the carriers available for your account's country.

To activate ShipStation Carriers:

  1. Click the Get Started button.

    Carriers settings with arrow pointing to Get Started button

    Available carriers will vary by account country.

  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your billing details, agree to the terms and conditions, and finish the setup.

Once completed, you can add funds to your ShipStation Balance and create labels with ShipStation Carriers.

Enable Auto-Funding For a Seamless Experience

We recommend enabling auto-funding to ensure your balance always has the funds for your label purchase needs.

Adding New ShipStation Carriers

ShipStation will sometimes add new carriers to the ShipStation Carriers roster! If you have already activated ShipStation Carriers and would like to start using the new carrier's services, go to Settings > Shipping > Carriers and click the Update button.

ShipStation Carriers settings showing a notification banner for new services and the Update button selected

Agree to the new carrier's terms and you're done! You can immediately start creating labels with the new carrier.

Available Features for GlobalPost from ShipStation

GlobalPost from ShipStation supports the following standard features and services in all countries:

Feature

Supported?

Domestic Shipping

*US-based ShipStation accounts shipping from certain regions may qualify for the GlobalPost domestic shipping service.

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

International Shipping

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Electronic Customs Submission

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Return Labels

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Estimated Rates

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Carrier Insurance

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Tracking

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

End of Day (Electronic)

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

End of Day (PDF)

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Label Branding

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Label Messages

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Multi-package Shipping

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

GlobalPost Service Details

GlobalPost service availability and details differ depending on which country you are shipping from.

  • 🇺🇸 US accounts have access to GlobalPost Economy and Standard international services, as well as the specialized services GlobalPost Go, GlobalPost Plus, and GlobalPost Domestic (for eligible regions only).

  • 🇨🇦 Canada accounts have access to the GlobalPost Standard international service.

  • 🇬🇧 UK accounts have access to GlobalPost Economy and Standard international services.

  • 🇦🇺 Australia accounts have access to the GlobalPost Standard international service.

All GlobalPost services in each country will have their own specifications and limitations. Visit the GlobalPost from ShipStation Service Details article for information on using GlobalPost services, including supported package types, maximum weight limits, and max/min allowed dimensions for each service class.

Select a GlobalPost from ShipStation Service

To ship with GlobalPost, select one of the GlobalPost services in your Services drop-down menu, then create the label like you normally would.

Service menu with the GlobalPost services highlighted

Available services will vary by your account home country.

Always Include Package Dimensions

When configuring your GlobalPost shipments, we recommend you always include accurate package dimensions for the shipment, in addition to the weight. Even though dimensions are not required for you to create a label, adding the package dimensions will ensure you receive the most accurate rate. Because GlobalPost uses dimensional weight, in most cases where dimensions are not included for the shipment, you will receive a post-shipment adjustment back to your account for the difference in the rate paid versus the actual rate.

Your label will print with the nearest GlobalPost Domestic Processing Facility address. Once the facility receives the shipment, it will be relabeled with its international label and all required customs documentation. It will then be sent to the recipient via a GlobalPost partner carrier.

For merchants in Canada, you'll drop the parcel off at your local Canada Post office. For merchants in Australia, you'll drop the parcel off at your local Australia Post office. We'll take it from there!

Disable Unused Services

If you don't use all of the available GlobalPost services, you can disable them in your account's carrier settings so the service is not available when configuring your shipments.

To disable a GlobalPost service:

  1. Click the Services link next to GlobalPost.

  2. Deselect the service(s) you do not wish to use and save your changes.

These services will no longer be visible in your Services list. You can always enable them for future use.

🇺🇸 Does Not Disable GAP Services

Disabling GlobalPost services in ShipStation does not affect GAP labels. When you disable GlobalPost services in your Carrier settings, this only disables the GlobalPost branded services in your account. If you wish to not use GAP labels, you must contact our support team and request your account be opted out of the Global Advantage Program.

GlobalPost Shipping Tools

GlobalPost also provides some useful tools to assist in your international shipping: The HS Classification Tool (or Harmonization Code Lookup) and the Duties & Taxes Calculator.

HS Code Lookup Tool

The Harmonization Code Lookup tool helps you find the appropriate harmonization codes for your customs declarations. We recommend always including the correct harmonization codes on your customs declarations to ensure the destination country's customs authority can process your shipment in the quickest way possible.

To use the lookup tool, enter a simple item description in the search field and click Find Code. You'll then be prompted to drill down on the details of your item with a series of multiple-choice questions until the right code has been identified.

GlobalPost HS code lookup page with "Shirts" entered into search field and "Construction" options available for selection

You can then enter the code into the Harmonization Code field for the shipment in ShipStation.

The Harmonization Code field is highlighted in the customs declarations section of Order Details.

If you have a product catalog in ShipStation, you can enter the product's harmonization code into the product details and ShipStation will automatically add it to the customs declaration for every order containing that product.

Product Details Customs tab.

Duties & Taxes Calculator

The GlobalPost Duties & Taxes Calculator can help you estimate how much duties and taxes can be expected when shipping certain types of goods (based on your HS code) to certain countries. Know in advance how much duties & taxes will apply to a shipment so you can budget or charge your customers appropriately.

The GlobalPost Duties and Taxes Calculator screen

File a Claim for Loss or Damage

Should any of your GlobalPost shipments that include loss/damage coverage become lost or damaged in transit, you can file a claim within 90 days of the shipment date.

GlobalPost includes the following loss/damage coverage by origin country:

  • 🇺🇸 US accounts: up to $100 for Standard; up to $200 for Plus

  • 🇬🇧 UK accounts: up to £50 for Standard

  • 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Canada, Australia, and New Zealand accounts: up to $100 for Standard

Requirements for Filing a Claim

  • All claims must be filed by the shipper, not the recipient.

  • Damage claims can be submitted at any time. Claims for lost packages cannot be submitted until 30 days after the shipment date.

  • All claims must be submitted within 90 days after the shipment date.

How to File a Claim

  1. Go to the GlobalPost Claim Form page.

  2. Fill in the online form:

    • You will need a good contact email, the shipment tracking number, the shipment date, and the claim amount.

    • Do not include the shipping cost when filling in the Claim Amount field. If the claim is approved, the shipping cost will be added to your total payment.

    • For damage claims, upload an image of the damaged shipment.

  3. Send the form when all fields have been completed.

    • If you submit a partially completed form, GlobalPost will not be able to process your claim and will notify you via email. Complete any missing information on your previously submitted claim form and resubmit it, or complete a new claim.

Once a claim has been approved, the refund will be immediately credited to your shipping account. It can take up to 3 weeks for a claim to be processed. Please contact GlobalPost if you have not received a response to your claim within 3 weeks.

If you feel your claim was incorrectly denied, please submit a new claim with new or updated information.

Notes about Shipping with GlobalPost

  • When configuring your GlobalPost shipments, we recommend always including the package dimensions for the shipment, in addition to the weight. GlobalPost uses dimensional weight, so even though dimensions are not required for you to create a label, adding the package dimensions will ensure you receive the most accurate rate.

    Because GlobalPost uses dimensional weight, in most cases where dimensions are not included for the shipment, you will receive a post-shipment adjustment back to your account for the difference in the rate paid versus the actual rate.

  • There are two tracking numbers associated with a GlobalPost shipment:

    1. The GlobalPost tracking number.

      ShipStation sends this tracking number to your customer and selling channel during the marketplace notification processes.

      For Economy shipments, packages are tracked only to the destination country. For Standard and Smartsaver shipments, packages are tracked to the destination address.

    2. The tracking number on the actual label generated in ShipStation.

      This tracking number can only be used to track the movement from the shipment's origin location to the GlobalPost sorting facility. It is not shared with your customer or selling channel.

  • You will not print customs forms in ShipStation.

    ShipStation will submit the customs information electronically, and GlobalPost will include the necessary customs documents when the package is relabeled at their sorting facility. Additionally, if your item descriptions in ShipStation are accurate, GlobalPost will automatically add the correct HS Codes to your customs forms for all EU-bound shipments.

  • Additional carrier insurance is not available for GlobalPost shipments. However, you can add ShipStation's partner insurance to GlobalPost shipments.

  • Currently, GlobalPost labels do not support Unicode characters (for example, Kanji or Cyrillic).

  • Label Messages for SmartSaver supports three reference fields, all other services only support the first two reference fields. Up to 24 characters can be used per field.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.