Every online customer expects reliable and affordable shipping, no matter where they shop. It can be difficult for a seller to provide order fulfilment that is free of stress.
You’re responsible for storing products, packaging orders, choosing delivery partners, and selecting the right shipping methods, all while balancing your business’s resource allocation and customer satisfaction.
Find out how Shopify shipping works with major carriers to make shipping packages affordable and simple, so that your customers can receive their purchases quickly.
What is Shopify Shipping?
Shopify Shipping simplifies, speeds up, and lowers the cost of fulfilling orders by offering discounted shipping rates and shipping tools integrated directly into Shopify. Save as much as 88% when you use rates from USPS and UPS in the United States; Canada Post in Canada; Sendle in Australia and DPD in UK.
Shopify Shipping is included in all Shopify plans and gives sellers access features like international shipping, overnight delivery, and shipping insurance. Plus, you’ll get access to tracking information, address verification, personalized packing slips and notification emails.
Shopify Shipping allows sellers to offer their customers flat-rate or free shipping, as well as calculate the shipping cost for them at the checkout. It also helps sellers keep track of their finances with automated routing and shipping service suggestions.
Shopify Shipping Features
1. Choose from multiple carriers
You can choose from the top carriers such as USPS, UPS DHL Express and Canada Post to ship domestically and internationally.
2. Discounted Rates
Reduce shipping costs by taking advantage of pre-negotiated discounts.
3. Print shipping labels quickly
Print up to 100 shipping and packing slips from your Shopify dashboard for both individual and bulk orders.
4. Order routing optimization
If you have multiple warehouses, you can use routing rules to automatically send orders to the nearest or best one.
5. Track packages and get Insurance
With every label, you can offer your customers peace of mind with robust tracking and insurance up to $200.
6. Take your business global with international shipping
Manage international shipping complexity to serve customers globally.
7. Offer local pickup
Small businesses can save money by offering local customers convenient pick-up and deliveries.
Shopify – Faster shipping
Shopify’s order management and delivery features allow you to fulfill orders without using any additional tools or apps.
How to ship with Shopify Shipping
After you’ve chosen a strategy for shipping, setting up Shopify Shipping is easy. Follow these steps to set up your store for order processing and quickly process orders once they arrive.
1. Fill in product and package details
Shopify Shipping calculates rates based on the weight of your cart, package size and carrier. Shopify Shipping will need to know the size, weight and location of your products.
2. Set shipping rates for services
Choose the shipping services that you will offer your customers via the Shipping & Delivery tab. This can be found in the Settings menu on the Shopify dashboard.
Choose from supported carriers to add real-time rates at your store’s check out, or create your own flat fee. You can also offer free delivery for customers who have a coupon code or make qualifying purchases.
3. Print and attach shipping labels
Shopify creates a shipping label when you receive an order. It uses the order information and the shipping method selected by the customer during checkout. Print labels in batches or individually using the Orders section of the Shopify dashboard. You can use a home printer, or a label printing device.
The label should be attached to the package according to the weight and size requirements of the class of mailing.
4. Drop the package with the carrier
Drop the labeled packages in the mailbox, at the post office or with the carrier. You can schedule package pickups via Shopify for carriers that are supported, such as UPS and DHL Express.
Shopify Shipping: Benefits
Reduce overheads
Save money on shipping rates with trusted carriers. These low prices are usually reserved for large businesses. It’s not just about lower rates, but also about making your shipping budget more efficient. You can reduce your shipping costs while reinvesting the savings back into your business.
USPS offers discounts up to 88 %, giving your business a competitive advantage.
All in one place
Shopify Shipping combines the complete shipping process in a single dashboard. Manage orders, print labels, and track delivery from a single place. Reduce errors and spend less time on administrative tasks.
The ability to print shipping labels in bulk can reduce the time it takes to process orders. This is especially useful during high-volume sales periods such as Black Saturday.
Expand your reach
Do you dream of expanding your business globally? Shopify Shipping allows you to access global markets by providing the tools necessary to navigate International Fulfillment. Reach new customers easily without worrying about complicated logistics.
Shopify Fulfillment Network: Third-party fulfillment
When your business grows, it becomes more difficult to store and package orders. Consider outsourcing order management when you reach this point to a third party fulfillment service.
Third-party fulfillment companies (or 3PLs) manage inventory, pick up and package orders and coordinate with carriers in order to get products to customers. Most 3PLs provide order processing commitments, and warehouses in strategic locations are available to reduce delivery time.
Shopify’s Fulfillment Network allows you to easily connect with 3PLs. Monitor inventory levels, delivery and returns as your fulfillment partner processes your orders.
Orders are delivered quickly
Shopify Fulfillment Network connects business with trusted logistics partners like Flexport. Get fast nationwide delivery, reserve storing, returns management and more fulfillment services.
Distribute products to customers, Walmart, eBay, Amazon, and more than 20 retailers.
How to choose a shipping service and carrier
Shipping carriers are the companies that receive your package and deliver it to the customer. Each carrier offers a variety of shipping services to suit your budget and needs.
Consider the following questions when choosing a shipping company:
- Where are you shipping?
- Where do you ship from?
- What products do you ship?
- How heavy is your product?
- What type packaging do you plan to use?
- Do you offer flat-rate or free shipping?
- What do your customers want from your Shipping Policy?
- Do you need to coordinate your efforts with a 3PL?
Shopify partners up with well-known companies in order to make shipping simple and efficient. You can pay for and print shipping label directly in Shopify if you ship with Shopify Shipping using USPS, UPS or DHL Express within the United States, Canada Post or Sendle in Australia.
United States Postal Service
Shopify Shipping offers discounts up to 88% on USPS for shipping lightweight packages from the US. Choose between domestic and international mail classes, with optional tracking and insurance for packages weighing up to 70 pounds.
Create return labels in Shopify for domestic orders sent via USPS.
United Parcel Service
UPS offers a reliable method to ship orders within the US or Canada. Choose from domestic or international services with guaranteed deliveries. Premium services include tracking, time-window delivery and premium services.
| UPS Service | Delivery Estimate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
|
Ground, Air |
1-5 business days | Affordable domestic delivery |
|
Select |
3 business days | Time-definite delivery |
|
Worldwide Expedited |
2-5 business days | Small packages that are less urgent |
|
Worldwide Express |
1-3 business days | Express international shipping to 120 countries |
DHL Express
DHL Express allows you to save up to 80% on international deliveries that are time-sensitive.
- Most international destinations are delivered within 2 to 3 business days.
- Reduced rates and built-in forms for customs
- Lightweight and heavy (under 150 pounds).
Canada Post
Canada Post offers the best value for shipping packages from Canada, with discounts up to 58%.
Canada Post offers a variety of domestic shipping services. It also offers four parcel shipping services for the United States and six international shipping service to more than 190 different countries. Ship orders up 66 pounds with insurance, tracking and delivery guarantees.
Sendle
Shopify Shipping’s preferred carrier in Australia is Sendle, which offers up to 44% off the shipping rates.
- Shipping to over 200 countries, both domestically and internationally
- Door-to-door delivery across Australia
- Free pickups
- Loss Coverage of $100 per shipment
- 100% carbon-neutral delivery
The complete package: Delivered
Shopify shipping simplifies order fulfillment. Reduce shipping costs, and send products with confidence using tools that are easy to manage. Focus on growing your business while ensuring that your customers get the shipping service they deserve.
Shopify Shipping FAQ
How does shipping work in Shopify?
Shopify users have access to discounted shipping rates and shipping tools that are integrated into their dashboard. Shopify creates a shipping label for a customer based on their chosen shipping service and carrier. Shopify merchants have the option to set up a variety of shipping options, including flat-rate shipping, free shipping, and carrier-calculated rates.
How much does Shopify Shipping cost?
Shopify Shipping comes with all Shopify plans. Shipping costs are determined by package weight, dimensions and destinations as well as the carrier selected. Shopify offers discounted rates for major carriers. This can reduce the cost when compared to standard rates. Shopify users can use the Shipping Calculator to calculate costs by entering details about their shipments.
Who pays for shipping in Shopify?
Customers will usually pay for shipping, unless the Shopify merchant offers a promotion that includes free shipping. Shopify allows merchants to include shipping costs in product pricing or charge them separately at checkout. Shopify allows sellers to customize shipping rates and services in the “Shipping & Delivery” settings.
Is shipping cheaper with Shopify?
Shopify’s partnerships with major carriers such as USPS, UPS and DHL can make shipping cheaper. Users can benefit from pre-negotiated discounts up to 88%. This is more cost-effective than sending packages through carriers at standard rates.