BigCommerce

BigCommerce’s cloud-based platform enables merchants to grow their mid-market brand businesses. BigCommerce integrates directly with ShipStation to automatically import your orders so you can start shipping quickly. ShipStation will automatically notify your BigCommerce account with each order's shipment details as soon as you create each label.

Interested in starting a BigCommerce account? Sign up for a free trial on BigCommerce's ShipStation integration page!

Updates to ShipStation's BigCommerce Integration

  • ShipStation has updated its integration with BigCommerce to support its most up-to-date features. Follow our BigCommerce Migration guide to update your legacy BigCommerce integration.

  • Effective March 2023: If you access the ShipStation App inside of BigCommerce, you will need to renew ShipStation's permissions in your BigCommerce account.

    Open the ShipStation App in your BigCommerce dashboard and click the Confirm button to update your connection. You will be prompted to log in to your ShipStation account, then you will be returned to BigCommerce.

BigCommerce's dashboard. Box shows check agree to share Shipstation, arrow points to Confirm button.

BigCommerce Requirements

Connection Requirements:

  • An active BigCommerce account.

  • The BigCommerce Store Owner username and password.

  • The ShipStation app installed in your BigCommerce account (available from the BigCommerce App Marketplace).

Order Import Requirements:

  • Order includes at least one physical product and a Ship To address.

Connect a BigCommerce store to ShipStation

To connect your BigCommerce store to ShipStation:

  1. Go to ShipStation in the BigCommerce Apps Marketplace.

    Only store owners can access Apps.

    The BigCommerce Store Owner user is the only user that has permission to view and install Apps via the App Marketplace. Check which user account you have logged into and make sure you are using the Store Owner user.

  2. Click Get this App.

    BigCommerce app store shows ShipStation app with "Get This App" button highlighted
  3. Click Log In when prompted.

    BigCommerce app store log in page with "Log in" button highlighted

    This will take you back to your BigCommerce Dashboard to continue the process.

  4. Click the Install button.

    BigCommerce ShipStation app with Install button highlighted
  5. Agree to the permissions by clicking Confirm.

    Next, you will be taken to a page where you can either sign up for a free ShipStation trial or log in to your existing ShipStation account.

  6. Log in to your ShipStation account to complete the connection.

    ShipStation log in page open in BigCommerce

After you've completed the connection steps, the store's Settings page will open. You can adjust your store-specific settings like branding and customer notifications, if you wish. Or click Save to close.

Going forward, you can access ShipStation by logging in to ShipStation directly or through your BigCommerce account by clicking ShipStation under My Apps.

Each BigCommerce store can only be connected to a single ShipStation account.

If you need to transfer your BigCommerce store to a different ShipStation account, you should:

  1. In ShipStation, go to Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup and Edit your BigCommerce store.

  2. Deselect the Is Active? checkbox and click Save Changes.

  3. Log out of ShipStation.

  4. In BigCommerce, locate the ShipStation app and uninstall it.

  5. Follow the steps listed above to connect the BigCommerce store to the new ShipStation account.

Available Features for BigCommerce

The ShipStation integration with BigCommerce supports the following standard features:

Order Status Mapping

ShipStation Status

BigCommerce Status

Awaiting Payment

Unpaid

See Manual Verification Settings in BigCommerce Store Settings in ShipStation for more details.

Awaiting Shipment

  • Awaiting Fulfillment

  • Awaiting Pickup

  • Awaiting Shipment

  • Disputed

  • Partially Shipped

  • Partially Refunded

  • Paid

Shipped

  • Shipped

  • Completed

  • Any orders that have a Ship Date

Cancelled

  • Cancelled

  • Declined

  • Refunded

  • Any orders that were deleted

On Hold

  • Manual Verification Required

    (When the Manual Verification Required Setting = false AND if the BigCommerce order status = manual verification required)

  • Disputed

Data Sent with Shipment Notification

This table indicates which data ShipStation sends to BigCommerce with the marketplace shipment notification:

Field

Sent to Marketplace?

Status Update

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Tracking Number

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Carrier

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Service

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Carrier Fee

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Note to Buyer

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Item Information

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Status UpdateTracking NumberCarrierServiceCarrier Fee

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

Item Information

Additional Features for BigCommerce

ShipStation's integration with BigCommerce allows for the following additional features:

Feature

Description

Import Harmonization Codes from BigCommerce

ShipStation only imports the 6-digit harmonization code. The 8-digit harmonization code is destination-specific, and will not import.

Enable the Import Harmonization Codes feature on a per-store basis by going to Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup and choosing your BigCommerce store(s). Click Edit BigCommerce V3 Settings in the General tab, and then check the box beside Import harmonization codes in the Modify Marketplace Settings pop-up.

SET_STORE_BigCommerceV3-ModifyMrktPlSetting-ImportHSCode-Checked_MRK.png

BigCommerce’s Import Harmonization Code feature overrides ShipStation's product information on the order. Customs Item Value and Country of Origin are exceptions to this override.

The Harmonization System (HS) code will NOT be added to product defaults in ShipStation.

BigCommerce Multi-User Feature

ShipStation supports the BigCommerce Multi-User feature, which allows someone other than the Store Owner User to have access to ShipStation.

Non-store owners who wish to access ShipStation can request the store owner to 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 App Permission on their User Profile. Do this for each user you wish to have access to ShipStation in BigCommerce.

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

🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Send ShipStation Rates to BigCommerce Checkout

The ShipStation Checkout Rates Options allow you to send the rates you get in ShipStation to your store checkout. Currently available to ShipStation accounts based in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Please see our Send Rates to Store Checkout article for setup instructions and the Enable Checkout Rates Option for BigCommerce section of our Connect Checkout Rates to Your Store article.

Multi-Storefront Compatible

ShipStation's new integration with BigCommerce supports the multi-storefront feature.

If you would like to take advantage of new features and functionality, please contact support to have your account enabled. Once you receive confirmation, please follow the Migration Guide to ensure a successful migration with no disruptions in your workflow.

When using Multi-Storefront, make sure you use the column 'Source' in ShipStation available in the Orders grid. This will show which particular storefront in BigCommerce the order originated from.

Supports ShipperHQ

You can use ShipperHQ with BigCommerce. It will not work with multi-recipient orders.

Gift Orders and Gift Notes

ShipStation imports and identifies gift orders. Imported Gift Notes are set on the Product level in BigCommerce.

Displays BigCommerce Inventory counts

ShipStation can display BigCommerce inventory stock count in the order details, as long as the BigCommerce store is set as the Inventory Source for your Ship From Location.

Will import orders with multiple Ship To addresses

If a BigCommerce order has more than one Ship To address, ShipStation will create multiple orders based on each Ship To address.

Receives shipment updates for linked Amazon and eBay stores

If you have Amazon and/or eBay connected to both BigCommerce and ShipStation, ShipStation will also update your BigCommerce store whenever a shipment update is sent to the Amazon or eBay store.

Please review the Using BigCommerce with Amazon or eBay article and use Method A.

FedEx Hold at Location available during Checkout

With ShipperHQ installed on your BigCommerce account, you can enable FedEx Hold at Location as an option at checkout. ShipStation imports these orders with a Hold at Location designation so they can be appropriately processed.

Support-Enabled Features for BigCommerce

In addition to the features listed above, you can request the following settings for your BigCommerce store to be enabled by the ShipStation User Success team.

Feature

Description

Multiple Ship To Addresses

If enabled, ShipStation will import BigCommerce orders with multiple Ship To addresses as separate orders based on the Ship To address. If disabled, only a single BigCommerce order will be created that uses the primary Ship To address for the order.

Please be aware that once enabled, if you have any orders in Awaiting Shipment status, those will be duplicated only on the first store import refresh.

Import Unpaid Orders

If enabled, ShipStation will import BigCommerce orders in the Awaiting Payment status as Awaiting Payment. If this setting is not enabled, Awaiting Payment orders will not import into ShipStation until they enter a supported status.

Exclude eBay orders from import

If enabled, ShipStation will ignore BigCommerce orders that originated on eBay.

If a store allows custom statuses, this means you define that statuses your orders use in your selling channel. In most cases, if you have custom statuses you'll need to define which ShipStation statuses each custom order status corresponds to.

ShipStation will import the customer's email address with the order data and can send shipment confirmation and delivery emails to that email address (configured in your Store settings).

ShipStation will import the customer phone number with the order data.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer during their store checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation can determine if an order is a gift from the order data sent by the store.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the store into the ShipStation Internal Notes field.

ShipStation will import notes provided by the customer when they made their purchase.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the store.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order. These images will appear as thumbnails in your Order Details and can be included in email notifications and packing slips.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order. This data will appear in your Order Details and can be included in customer emails and packing slips.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

Status UpdateTracking NumberCarrierServiceCarrier Fee

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

Item Information

BigCommerce Store Settings in ShipStation

You can enable the following options in the BigCommerce Store Settings in ShipStation:

Feature

Description

Allow orders to import without ShipTo Data

This setting allows orders that do not contain any Ship To information (name, address) to import without fail into Shipstation.

Import "Manual Verification Required" orders as Awaiting Payment

When checked, this feature will import orders in the BigCommerce status "Manual Verification Required" into Awaiting Payment Status in ShipStation. If unchecked, these orders will import into "On Hold".

Import harmonization codes

Enable this feature (on a per-store basis) to locate your Harmonized System (HS) Codes and import them into the order's customs declarations in ShipStation. Experience better compliance for cross-border shipping and trust that your packages won't get stuck in customs.

If you set a 6-digit HS code for a product on BigCommerce’s side, we will auto-fill the customs section with HS codes when we import orders placed with that product. The item options will now include the Harmonization code in addition to options such as size and color attached to the SKU. There's no need to set this up separately in ShipStation.

Order Price Mapping

When orders import from BigCommerce, the cost details from the order are mapped to the Order Details as referenced below.

Order with no discounts or custom item

This is how the pricing would map between BigCommerce and ShipStation for an order without discounts or custom items.

BC_Orders_defaultPricing_mrk.png
BC_ORDET_PriceMapping.png

BigCommerce Order

ShipStation Order Details

Cost of items

Product

Shipping

Shipping

Grand Total

Total/Total Paid

Tax

Tax

Order with custom item

This is an example of how a BigCommerce order would map to ShipStation if it included the custom item "Shipping Insurance." ShipStation would consider Shipping Insurance as part of the Shipping Cost instead of a product cost.

BigCommerce Order

ShipStation Order Details

Cost of items

Product

Shipping + Shipping Insurance

Shipping

Grand Total

Total/Total Paid

Tax

Tax

Order with Coupon

Coupons that discount the price of the order will appear in ShipStation in the Discount section.

BC_Orders_coupon_mrk.png
BC_SS_ORDET_DiscountMapping.png

BigCommerce Order

ShipStation Order Details

Coupon Code

Discount

BigCommerce Integration Notes

  • If you use ShipStation Legacy and split a BigCommerce order in ShipStation:

    Remove the Order Number suffix during the split process. This ensures the Order Number for the split orders matches the Order Number in BigCommerce. If the suffix is not removed, ShipStation will not be able to communicate properly with BigCommerce when the order is shipped.

    If using ShipStation's new layout, there is no need to amend the split order number.

  • If you use Amazon and/or eBay along with BigCommerce, connect Amazon and eBay to your BigCommerce store, then import orders from BigCommerce. This is outlined in Method A.

  • To use the new Multi-Storefront feature, please contact support to have your account enabled and once confirmed, follow the Migration Guide to ensure a successful migration with no disruptions in your workflow.

    The Multi-Storefront feature is not the same as adding multiple stores to one account. Multi-Storefront uses the same product catalog but the website can have its own design, URL, and branding. Adding multiple stores instead creates a new store attached to a billing account but each store has its own product catalog, customers, and subscription plan.

  • Only one BigCommerce store can only be connected to a ShipStation account even if you have multi-storefront enabled. If the BigCommerce store is added to another ShipStation account, the authentication credentials will be invalidated for the previous connection.

    If you require a workflow that supports one BigCommerce connection with multiple ShipStation accounts, please explore our feature that allows orders to be sent between multiple ShipStation accounts: Third-Party Logistics Provider Bundle. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our fulfillment team at fulfillment@shipstation.com.

BigCommerce Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some common issues experienced by users, potential causes, and available troubleshooting tips.

Issue

How to troubleshoot or resolve

Attempting to log into ShipStation from BigCommerce on a supported browser, but you receive a warning message that the browser is unsupported

Re-enter your username and password, then click the Login button again. The second attempt will be successful.

Encounter a loading wheel when attempting to connect to ShipStation from BigCommerce

Clear Cache and Cookies before making another attempt to connect.

Connection error when trying to import BigCommerce orders into ShipStation

This may mean that the authentication credentials ShipStation is using to communicate with BigCommerce are no longer valid and need to be updated.

To do this, you'll need to uninstall the ShipStation App from BigCommerce, then reinstall it. Follow the connection steps again to re-authorize your BigCommerce store.

Order importing takes a long time to complete

BigCommerce regulates API calls for certain plan levels. ShipStation must adhere to BigCommerce's throttle policy which may result in longer import times.

BigCommerce table of API rate limits for each plan level

Error: The quantity specified is greater than the quantity of the product that is available to ship.

What it means: BigCommerce's servers have denied our shipment notification because that shipment exceeds the available inventory. This happens most often when re-shipping a BigCommerce order (because BigCommerce has already set aside inventory in relation to that order).

What to do :Log in to your BigCommerce store and increase the inventory quantity for the product(s) you are trying to ship. Then, go back to ShipStation and click Retry Failed Steps in the marketplace notification pop-up screen.

Error: Could Not Validate ShipStation Login

What it means: This error may appear when you are attempting to renew your ShipStation App permissions in BigCommerce.

What to do: Log in to your ShipStation account in a separate browser tab at shipstation.com. Once you are logged in, return to your BigCommerce account and refresh the browser page.

If a store allows custom statuses, this means you define that statuses your orders use in your selling channel. In most cases, if you have custom statuses you'll need to define which ShipStation statuses each custom order status corresponds to.

ShipStation will import the customer's email address with the order data and can send shipment confirmation and delivery emails to that email address (configured in your Store settings).

ShipStation will import the customer phone number with the order data.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer during their store checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation can determine if an order is a gift from the order data sent by the store.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the store into the ShipStation Internal Notes field.

ShipStation will import notes provided by the customer when they made their purchase.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the store.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order. These images will appear as thumbnails in your Order Details and can be included in email notifications and packing slips.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order. This data will appear in your Order Details and can be included in customer emails and packing slips.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

Status UpdateTracking NumberCarrierServiceCarrier Fee

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

Item Information