Buy a shipping label in Shopify
Buying the label inside Shopify also fulfils the order: the tracking number lands on the order by itself. This tutorial buys one label for order 1045, a 1.10 lb parcel of 2 Trail Crew Tees going to a customer in Ontario, with a signature service added at checkout.
Written · Shopify admin, desktop steps · 4 minutes read
The worked example
| Order | 1045 |
| Items | 2 × Trail Crew Tee |
| Item weight | 0.40 lb each |
| Box weight | 0.30 lb |
| Total weight | 1.10 lb |
| Label | $9.85 |
| Signature service | $2.50 |
| Total billed | $12.35 |
Download the record: shipping-label-record.csv (118 bytes).
A shipping label record for order 1045: the $9.85 label plus the $2.50 signature service add to the $12.35 billed. It is a planning record, not a file Shopify imports.
1Open the order
From your Shopify admin, go to Orders and click order 1045, which contains unfulfilled items. The label flow starts from the order, not from a separate label page.
2Click Create shipping label
In the Unfulfilled section, click Create shipping label. The label form opens with the order items already listed.
3Confirm the items and weight
In the Items section, confirm the 2 tees are in this fulfilment. To change an item weight, click Edit weight and adjust it; to save the corrected weight to the product, select Save weight to product details.
4Pick the package
In the Package and weight section, select the box from the drop-down menu, or click Add package to create a new one with its size and weight.
5Confirm the total weight
In the Total weight (with package) field, confirm the total: 2 tees at 0.40 lb plus the 0.30 lb box is 1.10 lb. The carrier price is based on this weight, so weigh the packed box rather than guessing.
6Pick the shipping service
In the Shipping service section, select a service. The services you have set as preferred show first; click All to see every eligible service. For a Canadian fulfilment location, Canada Post is one of the carriers available through Shopify's carrier accounts.
7Add the signature service
Under additional services, add the signature on delivery service for $2.50. Extra services vary by carrier; the ones shown are the ones your chosen carrier supports.
8Pick the shipping date
In the Shipping date field, select the date you will hand the parcel over. If you want Shopify to send the shipment details to the customer on that date, select Send shipping information to customers.
9Review and buy the label
Review the Summary section, then click Buy shipping label. The cost is billed through your Shopify account, and the order is marked as fulfilled with the tracking number added.
10Print the label
Choose whether to print the label now, or print it later from the Shipping labels page. You can print your shipping labels during the label purchase flow or from that page at any time after you buy them.
The arithmetic
The weight and the cost are both simple sums.
| Figure | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Items weight | 2 × 0.40 lb | 0.80 lb |
| Box weight | 0.30 lb | |
| Total weight | 0.80 lb + 0.30 lb | 1.10 lb |
| Label | $9.85 | |
| Signature service | $2.50 | |
| Total billed | $9.85 + $2.50 | $12.35 |
The label cost is shown in your local currency before tax, and the cost plus tax is billed through your Shopify account after you buy it.
Held at the counter
Buying a label marks the order as fulfilled. After you buy and print a label, Shopify marks the order as fulfilled. Do not also click Mark as fulfilled by hand, or you will chase a status that is already set.
International shipments have a value ceiling. The declared value of an international shipment cannot exceed $2,500 USD per label, and HS codes are required. Check the customs form before you buy, not after.
A wrong label has to be voided. A label bought for the wrong address or the wrong weight cannot be edited. Void it within 30 days and buy a new one, and check the weight before you click Buy.
Sources
- Buying shipping labels individually — Shopify's help pages: the full buy-a-label steps, the Canada carrier list, the weight and package fields, the signature service, the 30-day void note, and the $2,500 international ceiling.