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ShipStation Product Glossary

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ShipStation Content Team

Updated

A list of terms used throughout the product help guides and their definitions as they relate to ShipStation.

ShipStation Terms

Terms used in ShipStation to describe specific interface elements or actions taken in the platform.

Action Menu

A menu bar containing buttons that trigger either specific actions on selected products or some other function within the Products tab.

ad hoc batch

A batch created in ShipStation when you create labels for multiple orders without first adding them to a normal batch. With ad hoc batches, ShipStation creates a batch in the background to process the shipments in a single action, and that allows you to print the labels all at once. Ad hoc batches are numbered and can be found in Shipments > Batches for further review.

aggregate inventory

Aggregate inventory is the total available inventory from both your internal inventory stock and the stock from any external connected inventory sources. This number is displayed in the Total Available column of the Products grid.

Allocation

The process of reserving inventory units for your orders in the Awaiting Shipment status, so you are always certain you have enough available stock to fulfill your orders.

This process is a core component of our internal Inventory Management solution because it clarifies the difference between the stock you have on hand ('Stock'), the stock you need to ship your open orders ('Allocated'), and the remaining stock you have available to sell ('Available').

Allocation Strategy

Your Allocation Strategy determines how ShipStation reserves (i.e., allocates) inventory for your Awaiting Shipment orders.

By default, ShipStation allocates inventory for your oldest orders first. But, if you have reasons to prioritise some orders over others, then it's best to set up a custom allocation strategy with 'tasks' that match those priorities.

API

API stands for Application Program Interface. It's a set of protocols for applications (like ShipStation) to communicate and share information with other applications or platforms.

API connections are also custom-built by developers, but they work in the opposite way that selling channel integrations work. Instead of ShipStation initiating communication to the selling channel (i.e., requesting orders), the API instead has “keys” to ShipStation and pushes those orders into a ShipStation manual store without ShipStation having to do anything except allow it.

Barcode listening

A mode wherein a barcode scanner actively 'listens' or looks to accept barcode scans.

Search listens can be set for ShipStation orders in particular statuses. Found orders can be processed to Just display, Ship the order(s), Add order(s) to a new batch, or Add order(s) to an existing batch.

Barcode Scan Search pop-up menu.

Hotkeys:

  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + s

  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + s

Barcode Listening is a ShipStation Legacy only feature.

Branded Returns Portal (BRP)

The Branded Returns Portal is a webpage with your custom store branding where your customers can create their own return labels, without the need to contact you. Think of it as self-service returns.

Configure Shipment Widget (CSW)

The widget in ShipStation where all shipping options are set. The widget appears in the Orders grid Shipping Sidebar, as well as the Order and Shipment Details screens.

custom store

A custom store is a store connected to ShipStation that a developer custom-built according to ShipStation's Custom Store Development Guide.

custom view

A custom view is a set of enabled filters and page layout selections in your Orders and Shipments tabs that you can save to quickly use in the future.

delivery notification

An email sent to your customer once ShipStation receives a notification from the carrier that the package was delivered. Most carriers and services (but not all) support sending this notification to ShipStation.

delivery time

The delivery time displayed in the rate calculator or Shipping Sidebar is supplied by the carrier when they return a rate to ShipStation for the selected service. Some carriers display delivery time as a number of days, but some report a specific date.

Check with your carrier if you have any questions about why a service has a certain delivery time.

Direct Integration

This is a store or carrier integration built directly into ShipStation. These integrations have a branded tile in either the Store Setup or Carriers Settings screens.

Economic Operator Registration And Identification Number (EORI)

An ID code used to track and register customs information in the EU. Currently, all businesses that import or export goods from countries outside the EU need an EORI number.

Required to ship goods from the UK on and after 1 January, 2021.

You can add your EORI number to ShipStation's International Settings so you can then add it to the necessary shipments.

End of Day

The process in ShipStation that manifests your day's shipments for a specific carrier (USPS calls these SCAN forms). The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them.

Manifests may be a printable PDF or may be submitted electronically, depending on which carrier the manifest is for.

Extended Price

The price paid for the item itself (unit cost, retail price), plus any additional costs associated with acquiring it. Such costs may include shipping, customs duties, levies, delivery costs, shipping insurance, legal fees, etc. Add all these ancillary acquisition costs to the price of the item itself to get its Extended Price, as it appears on a receipt or invoice.

An extended price can show the price of the quantity purchased (so should you purchase only one of something, the ‘price’ and ‘extended price’ can be the same). It can show a discounted price due to a wholesale deal, a sale percentage from the regular price, or it can be some other price an individual seller sets.

Field replacements

A way to dynamically insert store, order, customer, and product information into a confirmation email or a packing slip. Field replacements reference a specific piece of data that is unique to each order (like order numbers, customer names and addresses, store logos, and ordered items).

Filter bar

A menu bar containing all filter selections for a specific screen. Filters allow you to view only the items matching your filter criteria and can be applied to orders, shipments, products, and customers.

fulfilment SKU

The SKU used by your fulfilment partner for a specific item.

If the fulfilment SKU is different than your product SKU, enter the fulfilment SKU into the product's Fulfilment SKU field in the Product Detail's Shipping tab. ShipStation will then send the fulfilment SKU when you submit the order for fulfillment.

Harmonization Tariff System Code (HTS Code)

Also known as the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code, this is a 10-digit import classification system for internationally traded products. An HTSUS code takes the same form as an HS Code for the first six digits and then has four differing last digits. This internationally recognized commodity description is set by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

You can add harmonization codes to your customs declarations either manually in the order details or by adding them to their product details. While not always required, it is recommended for international shipments. All U.S. importers should know and use the correct HTSUS codes because this classification is the basis for how commodity duties are assessed.

See also Harmonized System Codes.

Harmonized System Codes (HS Code)

An internationally standardized system of names and numbers used to classify globally traded products. The codes are required on customs declaration forms CN22 and CN23 for goods sent to other countries. Each commodity group is identified by a six-digit code used to identify the duty and tax rates for specific types of products. The system was developed by the World Customs Organisation and is used by over 200 countries as a basis for their customs tariffs.

See also Harmonization Tariff System code.

In ShipStation, you can add a product's HS Code to its Product Details so it will automatically populate in your customs documentation. Or you can add it manually to a shipment's customs declarations before creating your label.

hotkeys

Also known as quick keys or keyboard shortcuts, hotkeys are key combinations that allow you to accomplish specific tasks quickly without using your mouse to click a UI (user interface) element. Go to the Help menu and select Hotkeys for a full reference of hotkeys available in ShipStation.

International Transaction Number (ITN)

The number assigned to a shipment confirming that the Automated Export System (AES) accepted the Electronic Export Information (EEI) and has it on file. Every AES shipment must have a unique ITN.

For the purposes of AES filing, a shipment is all goods (regardless of the number of packages) tendered to the USPS on the same day from one US Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) to one addressee. The USPS defines the USPPI as “the person or legal entity in the United States that receives the primary benefit, monetary or otherwise, from the export transaction.” (Source: USPS)

You can add your ITN number to ShipStation's International Settings.

mail stream

The mail-processing function, or total live mail from point of acceptance to point of delivery. ShipStation's tracking and customer notification features can be triggered by a shipment's status in the mail stream.

Manual store

A store you can create in ShipStation to hold manual orders (orders you create directly in ShipStation or by CSV import, rather than importing them from a connected store). You can create as many manual stores as you need.

mapping

The method used in ShipStation to assign a specific piece of data from a source to its corresponding field in ShipStation. As in "field mapping" for order imports and "service mapping" for import rules.

marketplace

A marketplace is a platform that allows third-party vendors to sell their goods or services. Typically, they list products of many categories and from multiple sellers. Some examples of marketplaces that ShipStation partners with include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Etsy.

Marketplaces differ from ecommerce stores in that they take a percentage of the sales. Also, see 'selling channel'.

Multi-package

In ShipStation, this is a single shipment that contains multiple packages. A label prints for each package, and each label has a unique tracking number that links to a master tracking number. Only the master tracking number appears in ShipStation.

Not all carriers support creating multi-package shipments.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

A form of artificial intelligence that analyzes the human language to help machines understand and communicate with human speech.

In ShipStation, this feature allows you to enter a customer's shipping information as a block of text for ShipStation to extract the appropriate details and insert them into the appropriate fields.

On Hand Stock

On Hand refers to the number of items you have available and allocated to fulfill orders.

order age

The order's age is determined by the length of time that has passed between the order paid date and the date the label was created.

order-level information

Information specific to the order (as opposed to product-level information), like order date, order total, tax paid, etc.

order record

The data object that contains all of the information for an order. To view an order record in full, open the Order Details from the Orders grid.

orders grid

On the Orders page, the grid or layout of rows and columns that contain your orders and each order's associated details.

order source

This is where your orders in ShipStation come from. Orders can originate from multiple sources:

  • Imported from a connected store (either direct integration or custom stores)

  • Imported from a CSV or tab-delimited file

  • Manual orders (orders created directly in ShipStation)

  • Created via the ShipStation API

order tag

A color-coded tag with a custom label you can add to orders to help you or your staff identify something about that order. Tags can also be used as automation criteria to trigger certain actions.

Package Level Detail (PLD)

The shipping and package data about the shipments processed since your last End of Day process. This is the data that UPS WorldShip sends to UPS.

parent products

A non-sellable product that acts as the primary product for reporting purposes and contains the variant products that belong to it.

Parent products should have a unique SKU.

Parent Products are non-buyable, "umbrella" products that exist to group variants for reporting and to push product-level settings to their variants. Since it's not possible to buy a parent product, they can't be associated with inventory units.

Parent products will appear in your Products list, with their Variant products nested below. Parent products will not appear in the Inventory section.

pick list

A useful document that tells you the number of items needed to fulfill one or more orders.

ShipStation lets you create pick lists from several locations throughout the app. Typically, you have the option to create a pick list wherever you have the option to print.

point of sale (POS)

Software that enables the online store to accept transactions.

ShipStation does not interact with your POS.

postage provider

The provider you purchase your postage from. This provider may or may not be the same as the carrier that picks up or delivers the package (though, in most cases, it is).

For example:

  • Stamps.com is a postage provider, while USPS is the carrier.

  • ShipStation Carriers is a postage provider, while DPD, Parcelforce, and Evri are the couriers.

printer workstation

The printer workstation is the computer your printers are physically attached to via USB. ShipStation Connect must be installed and running on the printer workstation (but not on non-printer workstations) to print documents via ShipStation Connect.

product alias

An alias tells ShipStation that different SKUs are actually the same product. This feature helps with reporting and other product settings purposes. Aliases can be assigned to either Standalone or Variant products (but not Parent products).

product-level information

Information specific to the product (as opposed to order-level information). This includes SKU, Item Name, Warehouse Location, quantity, and unit price.

product record

The data object that contains all of the information for a product in the Products grid. By default, a product record is created in ShipStation when an order imports with an item that doesn’t already have a product record and the selling channel’s settings are configured accordingly.

products grid

The rows and columns that display product data in the Products screen. It’s a visual representation of the records in our database. The Products Grid is customizable in the same way as the Orders and Shipments Grids.

product views

The left-hand sidebar section in the Products screen. You can view product records, preset groups, reporting categories, and inventory in separate grids.

rate calculator

The Rate Calculator allows you to enter shipment details (like postal codes, service, and weight) to view and compare the rates available for the carriers you have in ShipStation.

reconfigure

A way to update or renew a store connection in ShipStation without connecting a new store. This is useful if your store authentication or keys/tokens have changed. It is also sometimes used as a troubleshooting step when you have store connection or order import issues.

Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA)

An authorization number or character sequence (typically) that must be displayed on or included with a returned product's packaging. This serves as part of the process of returning a product to receive a refund, replacement, or repair.

Also called a return authorization (RA) or a return goods authorization (RGA).

selling channel

A selling channel is a platform through which you sell your products.

In ShipStation, this term refers to either a shopping cart (like Shopify) or marketplace (like Amazon) that you connect to ShipStation, either through direct integration, custom store, or via ShipStation's API. Often, the terms "store" and "selling channel" are used interchangeably.

service mapping

The process of telling ShipStation to automatically assign a specific shipping service to an order when it imports with a specific requested service from the selling channel. This automates the service and package selection process and allows you to ship orders with fewer steps.

Ship From Location

The address from where your packages ship. This information is required by postage providers before they will return a rate or create a label. The Ship From Location in your settings can also have a unique return address, which is the address that will print on the label.

You can add as many Ship From Locations as you need in ShipStation.

shipment notification

An email ShipStation sends to your customer once you create the label for their shipment. This option is disabled by default. You can also configure the notification to be sent at a later time, such as an hour after the label is created or when the shipment hits the mail stream.

shipment record

The data object containing all of the information for a shipment. Shipment records are displayed in the Shipment grid and in the corresponding order's details.

Shipment records are created when you create a label.

Shipment Record Widget

The widget in ShipStation that contains the shipment's label details, the Shipment # and status, label tracking number, and a shipment action menu.

The widget appears in the Orders grid Shipping Sidebar, as well as the Order and Shipment Details screens, once a shipment record is created for an order.

Short Message Service (SMS)

Text messages sent via a traditional cellular network and limited to 160 characters, including spaces. Most carrier services chain messages together when SMSs exceed this limit. Now often includes Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), the media-enhanced version of an SMS message (built on the same technology as SMS ) that allows users to send images, videos, or audio.

SKU

SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit. A merchant’s unique alphanumeric identification code for each product that can be purchased. SKUs differ from universal product codes (UPCs) in that they are not universal. This means that every retailer has their own unique set of SKUs to track their merchandise.

Product records in ShipStation are identified using the SKU by default (though if you don’t use SKUs, this can be modified so Product records are identified by the product name instead).

standalone product

The default product type in ShipStation. A standalone product type has no relationship to other products.

surviving customer

The active customer record that remains after several similar or redundant customer records have been combined or merged into one.

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Taxpayer Identification Numbers quickly identify your business and track its related tax activities. Examples include the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in the US, Value Added Tax (VAT), Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS), and Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI).

You can add your TIN in ShipStation's International Settings. See our Tax Identifier Article for details.

throttling

Throttling is the process of limiting the number of requests you (or your authorized developer) can submit to a given operation in a given amount of time. Some selling channel platforms may throttle the number of requests that they will accept from third-party platforms like ShipStation.

UPC

Stands for Universal Product Code. UPC is a “barcode symbology” uniquely assigned to “trade items” to help track items at the point of sale in an automated way.

ShipStation’s Product Details support adding a UPC, and you can use a barcode scan in the advanced search to find orders with these products as well as with ShipStation's Verify & Print workflow.

variant products

A sellable product that belongs to a Parent product. This product type inherits any product defaults set in the Parent product details.

Variant products are products under a Parent "umbrella" and can be configured with inventory, just like Standalone products. Inventory will be deducted from the individual variant products when you ship them.

Variant products will be nested under their Parent product in the Products grid. They will also be displayed individually in the Inventory section of your Products tab.

widget

An application or a component of a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to read, edit, or otherwise interact with a computer, perform a function, or access a service.

Each widget facilitates a specific type of user-computer interaction and appears as a visible part of the application's GUI.

Widgets that support user interaction include drop-down menus, icons, labels, buttons, and on-off checkboxes. Others - like windows, panels, and tabs - act as containers that group the widgets added to them.

Ecommerce & Shipping Terms

Terms used generally in the e-commerce and shipping process that you may encounter or need to understand while using ShipStation.

ASIN

ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. It's a unique block of 10 letters and/or numbers that identify your Amazon items. Find the ASIN on the item's product information page on Amazon.com. For books, the ASIN is the same as the ISBN number, but for all other products, a new ASIN is created when the item is uploaded to Amazon's catalog.

ASINs can be used to search for items in Amazon's catalog. If you know the ASIN or ISBN of the item you are looking for, simply type it into the search box (which can be found near the top of most pages), hit the Go button and if the item is listed in Amazon's catalog, it will appear in your search results. For example, the ASIN for Hasbro's Monopoly game is B00005N5PF. Source

Automated Package Verification (APV)

The United States Postal Service (USPS) built the Automated Package Verification (APV) system to manage postage discrepancies (under-paid and over-paid postage labels) in an automated fashion. The APV system considers postage paid on every domestic package, based on weight, dimensions, package type, mailing service, and the origin and destination ZIP codes.

CN22 Form (CN22)

A customs declaration form required for international shipping, especially for packages coming from or destined for outside of the EU. These forms contain information about the goods you are shipping, including which goods are packaged inside your parcel, their value, names of the shipper and receiver, and any parties involved in the shipping. Customs authorities use these forms to determine taxation, import duties, security, public health, and environmental protection.

These documents are scanned, and if descriptions inaccurately relate the contents, you may be fined for up to 100% of the merchandise value.

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Check with your national tax authority for an overview of all EU countries. Also, take note of any regions where exceptions may apply. Some regions within the EU are not part of the EU customs zone, but shipments to these regions are still subject to customs control. Thus, you must always include a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration with them.

Utiliser Étiquette verte CN22 avec Envois postaux (petits envois) de valeur inférieure ou égale à 380 euros.

NOTE: You can substitute a CN23 for a CN22, but not the other way around.

Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

CN23 Form (CN23)

A customs declaration form required for international shipping, especially for packages coming from or destined for outside of the EU. These forms contain information about the goods you are shipping, including which goods are packaged inside your parcel, their value, names of the shipper and receiver, and any parties involved in the shipping. Customs authorities use these forms to determine taxation, import duties, security, public health, and environmental protection.

These documents are scanned, and if descriptions inaccurately relate the contents, you may be fined for up to 100% of the merchandise value.

Check with your national tax authority for an overview of all EU countries. Also, take note of any regions where exceptions may apply. Some regions within the EU are not part of the EU customs zone, but shipments to these regions are still subject to customs control. Thus, you must always include a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration with them.

Utiliser Déclaration en douane CN23 (feuillet individuel ou feuillet intégré dans la liasse postale CP72) avec Envois postaux de valeur supérieure à 380 euros et inférieure ou égale à 1 000 euros. Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

NOTE: You can substitute a CN23 for a CN22, but not the other way around.

Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

Commercial Invoice

A commercial invoice details the agreement between the shipper and receiver. This includes who’s responsible for the shipment and the duties and taxes (and whether or not they’ve already been paid).

Commercial invoices are typically created for international shipments that use private carriers (like FedEx, DHL Express, and UPS).

CSV

CSV stands for 'comma-separated values'. This type of spreadsheet file is often used by ShipStation (and several of our integration partners) to import and export your ShipStation data for orders, products, and reports.

CUPS

CUPS stands for Common Unix Printing System. It is the Mac OS method for managing print jobs and printing preferences.

Delivered at Place (DAP)

The shipper is responsible for the transportation costs, but not responsible for paying the taxes associated with this shipment. Customs agents will be using the contact information provided on the invoice and customs declarations to settle the charges.

The opposite of DDP. See similar DDU. See also INCOTERM.

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)

The shipper is responsible for the shipment and for paying duties, taxes and/or fees assessed associated with the shipment. DDP and DDU/DAP are incoterms.

The opposite of DDU and DAP. See INCOTERM.

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)

The shipper is responsible for the transportation costs, but not responsible for paying duties, taxes and/or fees assessed associated with this shipment. Customs agents will be using the contact information provided on the invoice and customs declarations to settle the charges.

The opposite of DDP. See similar DAP. See also INCOTERM.

De Minimis Value

De Minimis Values are used in the context of international shipping. They are a valuation ceiling for imports where no tax or duties are charged and the clearance procedures are minimal for shipments that have a value less than the De Minimis threshold. De Minimis Values vary from country to country.

For example, imports into the US are subject to duty and taxes when the value is over the De Minimis Value of $800 USD.

dimensional weight (DIM)

Dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight, is a pricing technique for commercial transport (including courier and postal services) of larger packages with a lighter weight. DIM weight uses an estimated weight calculated from the length, width, and height of a package divided by a specific divisor determined by the carrier.

If DIM weight applies to your package, the carrier will compare the DIM weight and actual weight and charge the higher of the two for the label.

Electronic Advance Data (EAD)

A customs requirement that information about the sender, receiver, and parcel contents all be gathered digitally and sent ahead to Customs in the destination country. China and the US have passed legislation introducing this requirement to bolster border protection, and more countries are likely to follow suit in the coming years.

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

A method to transmit information in a standardized digital format. UPS uses EDI to transmit customs documents electronically. "EDI" will be printed on UPS labels to indicate the data has been submitted electronically.

Certain platforms also use EDI to transmit sales orders, purchase orders, and other types of information. For selling channel platforms that use EDI, you must use one of ShipStation's solutions providers to import their orders into ShipStation.

Electronic Trade Document (ETD)

A method to transmit customs documents electronically, used primarily by FedEx. The letters "ETD" will be printed on FedEx labels to indicate your data has been submitted electronically. For FedEx International Ground, the letters "ETD" will appear in a black box under the shipping service icon.

Integrated labels

Labels that print with the label and packing slip on the same sheet.

International Commercial Terms (INCOTERM)

Incoterms or International Commercial Terms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms that relate to international commercial law. Published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), these terms are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes, and their use is encouraged by trade councils, courts, and international lawyers. The terms exist as an international standard to protect buyers and sellers and to regulate the payment terms for the receiver of the goods.

See DDP, DDU, and DAP for examples of INCOTERMs.

Other Regulated Material (ORM-D)

A type of label that identifies certain potentially hazardous materials that have special requirements regarding shipping and handling. These materials have limited risk during transportation because of their quantity and packaging. Typically, they are for US domestic transport only. EX: hairspray, nail polish, medicines, detergents, fuels, drain openers, lighters, and more.

ShipStation does not currently have a built-in method to add ORM-D to any postage provider's labels. However, certain carriers may support ShipStation's "This shipment contains dangerous goods" option.

pay-on-use

Also known as pay-on-scan. These are labels you are not charged for until the carrier scans them into the mail stream. UPS and FedEx are pay-on-use labels, which means you do not need to void them to get a refund if they are not used.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

A firm that provides outsourced supply chain management and logistics services to its customers. Services generally include managing inventory, picking, packing, shipping, and returns management, among other functions. The terms 3PL and fulfilment are often used interchangeably.

Value-Added Tax (VAT)

Value-Added Tax - also known as a goods and services tax (GST) - is a consumption tax based on the value of goods and implemented as a destination-based tax. VAT usually comes into play when shipping internationally to countries that charge customs fees and taxes to recipients on imported goods. VAT may be recovered for commercial shipments only by a VAT registered recipient; VAT ranges from 5% to 25% depending upon country.

Shipments to certain countries are often subject to customs fees/taxes, like VAT. ShipStation does provide the option to have the fees charged to the shipper (DDP), instead of the recipient, if the carrier supports that option.

A menu bar containing buttons that trigger either specific actions on selected products or some other function within the Products tab.

A batch created in ShipStation when you create labels for multiple orders without first adding them to a normal batch. With ad hoc batches, ShipStation creates a batch in the background to process the shipments in a single action, and that allows you to print the labels all at once. Ad hoc batches are numbered and can be found in Shipments > Batches for further review.

Aggregate inventory is the total available inventory from both your internal inventory stock and the stock from any external connected inventory sources. This number is displayed in the Total Available column of the Products grid.

The process of reserving inventory units for your orders in the Awaiting Shipment status, so you are always certain you have enough available stock to fulfill your orders.

This process is a core component of our internal Inventory Management solution because it clarifies the difference between the stock you have on hand ('Stock'), the stock you need to ship your open orders ('Allocated'), and the remaining stock you have available to sell ('Available').

Your Allocation Strategy determines how ShipStation reserves (i.e., allocates) inventory for your Awaiting Shipment orders.

By default, ShipStation allocates inventory for your oldest orders first. But, if you have reasons to prioritise some orders over others, then it's best to set up a custom allocation strategy with 'tasks' that match those priorities.

API stands for Application Program Interface. It's a set of protocols for applications (like ShipStation) to communicate and share information with other applications or platforms.

API connections are also custom-built by developers, but they work in the opposite way that selling channel integrations work. Instead of ShipStation initiating communication to the selling channel (i.e., requesting orders), the API instead has “keys” to ShipStation and pushes those orders into a ShipStation manual store without ShipStation having to do anything except allow it.

A mode wherein a barcode scanner actively 'listens' or looks to accept barcode scans.

Search listens can be set for ShipStation orders in particular statuses. Found orders can be processed to Just display, Ship the order(s), Add order(s) to a new batch, or Add order(s) to an existing batch.

Barcode Scan Search pop-up menu.

Hotkeys:

  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + s

  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + s

Barcode Listening is a ShipStation Legacy only feature.

The Branded Returns Portal is a webpage with your custom store branding where your customers can create their own return labels, without the need to contact you. Think of it as self-service returns.

The widget in ShipStation where all shipping options are set. The widget appears in the Orders grid Shipping Sidebar, as well as the Order and Shipment Details screens.

The widget in ShipStation where all shipping options are set. The widget appears in the Orders grid Shipping Sidebar, as well as the Order and Shipment Details screens.

A custom view is a set of enabled filters and page layout selections in your Orders and Shipments tabs that you can save to quickly use in the future.

A custom store is a store connected to ShipStation that a developer custom-built according to ShipStation's Custom Store Development Guide.

An email sent to your customer once ShipStation receives a notification from the carrier that the package was delivered. Most carriers and services (but not all) support sending this notification to ShipStation.

The delivery time displayed in the rate calculator or Shipping Sidebar is supplied by the carrier when they return a rate to ShipStation for the selected service. Some carriers display delivery time as a number of days, but some report a specific date.

Check with your carrier if you have any questions about why a service has a certain delivery time.

This is a store or carrier integration built directly into ShipStation. These integrations have a branded tile in either the Store Setup or Carriers Settings screens.

An ID code used to track and register customs information in the EU. Currently, all businesses that import or export goods from countries outside the EU need an EORI number.

Required to ship goods from the UK on and after 1 January, 2021.

You can add your EORI number to ShipStation's International Settings so you can then add it to the necessary shipments.

The process in ShipStation that manifests your day's shipments for a specific carrier (USPS calls these SCAN forms). The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them.

Manifests may be a printable PDF or may be submitted electronically, depending on which carrier the manifest is for.

The price paid for the item itself (unit cost, retail price), plus any additional costs associated with acquiring it. Such costs may include shipping, customs duties, levies, delivery costs, shipping insurance, legal fees, etc. Add all these ancillary acquisition costs to the price of the item itself to get its Extended Price, as it appears on a receipt or invoice.

An extended price can show the price of the quantity purchased (so should you purchase only one of something, the ‘price’ and ‘extended price’ can be the same). It can show a discounted price due to a wholesale deal, a sale percentage from the regular price, or it can be some other price an individual seller sets.

A way to dynamically insert store, order, customer, and product information into a confirmation email or a packing slip. Field replacements reference a specific piece of data that is unique to each order (like order numbers, customer names and addresses, store logos, and ordered items).

A menu bar containing all filter selections for a specific screen. Filters allow you to view only the items matching your filter criteria and can be applied to orders, shipments, products, and customers.

The SKU used by your fulfilment partner for a specific item.

If the fulfilment SKU is different than your product SKU, enter the fulfilment SKU into the product's Fulfilment SKU field in the Product Detail's Shipping tab. ShipStation will then send the fulfilment SKU when you submit the order for fulfillment.

Also known as the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code, this is a 10-digit import classification system for internationally traded products. An HTSUS code takes the same form as an HS Code for the first six digits and then has four differing last digits. This internationally recognized commodity description is set by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

You can add harmonization codes to your customs declarations either manually in the order details or by adding them to their product details. While not always required, it is recommended for international shipments. All U.S. importers should know and use the correct HTSUS codes because this classification is the basis for how commodity duties are assessed.

See also Harmonized System Codes.

An internationally standardized system of names and numbers used to classify globally traded products. The codes are required on customs declaration forms CN22 and CN23 for goods sent to other countries. Each commodity group is identified by a six-digit code used to identify the duty and tax rates for specific types of products. The system was developed by the World Customs Organisation and is used by over 200 countries as a basis for their customs tariffs.

See also Harmonization Tariff System code.

In ShipStation, you can add a product's HS Code to its Product Details so it will automatically populate in your customs documentation. Or you can add it manually to a shipment's customs declarations before creating your label.

Also known as quick keys or keyboard shortcuts, hotkeys are key combinations that allow you to accomplish specific tasks quickly without using your mouse to click a UI (user interface) element. Go to the Help menu and select Hotkeys for a full reference of hotkeys available in ShipStation.

The number assigned to a shipment confirming that the Automated Export System (AES) accepted the Electronic Export Information (EEI) and has it on file. Every AES shipment must have a unique ITN.

For the purposes of AES filing, a shipment is all goods (regardless of the number of packages) tendered to the USPS on the same day from one US Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) to one addressee. The USPS defines the USPPI as “the person or legal entity in the United States that receives the primary benefit, monetary or otherwise, from the export transaction.” (Source: USPS)

You can add your ITN number to ShipStation's International Settings.

The mail-processing function, or total live mail from point of acceptance to point of delivery. ShipStation's tracking and customer notification features can be triggered by a shipment's status in the mail stream.

A store you can create in ShipStation to hold manual orders (orders you create directly in ShipStation or by CSV import, rather than importing them from a connected store). You can create as many manual stores as you need.

The method used in ShipStation to assign a specific piece of data from a source to its corresponding field in ShipStation. As in "field mapping" for order imports and "service mapping" for import rules.

A marketplace is a platform that allows third-party vendors to sell their goods or services. Typically, they list products of many categories and from multiple sellers. Some examples of marketplaces that ShipStation partners with include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Etsy.

Marketplaces differ from ecommerce stores in that they take a percentage of the sales. Also, see 'selling channel'.

In ShipStation, this is a single shipment that contains multiple packages. A label prints for each package, and each label has a unique tracking number that links to a master tracking number. Only the master tracking number appears in ShipStation.

Not all carriers support creating multi-package shipments.

A form of artificial intelligence that analyzes the human language to help machines understand and communicate with human speech.

In ShipStation, this feature allows you to enter a customer's shipping information as a block of text for ShipStation to extract the appropriate details and insert them into the appropriate fields.

On Hand refers to the number of items you have available and allocated to fulfill orders.

The order's age is determined by the length of time that has passed between the order paid date and the date the label was created.

Information specific to the order (as opposed to product-level information), like order date, order total, tax paid, etc.

On the Orders page, the grid or layout of rows and columns that contain your orders and each order's associated details.

The data object that contains all of the information for an order. To view an order record in full, open the Order Details from the Orders grid.

This is where your orders in ShipStation come from. Orders can originate from multiple sources:

  • Imported from a connected store (either direct integration or custom stores)

  • Imported from a CSV or tab-delimited file

  • Manual orders (orders created directly in ShipStation)

  • Created via the ShipStation API

A color-coded tag with a custom label you can add to orders to help you or your staff identify something about that order. Tags can also be used as automation criteria to trigger certain actions.

The shipping and package data about the shipments processed since your last End of Day process. This is the data that UPS WorldShip sends to UPS.

A non-sellable product that acts as the primary product for reporting purposes and contains the variant products that belong to it.

Parent products should have a unique SKU.

Parent Products are non-buyable, "umbrella" products that exist to group variants for reporting and to push product-level settings to their variants. Since it's not possible to buy a parent product, they can't be associated with inventory units.

Parent products will appear in your Products list, with their Variant products nested below. Parent products will not appear in the Inventory section.

A useful document that tells you the number of items needed to fulfill one or more orders.

ShipStation lets you create pick lists from several locations throughout the app. Typically, you have the option to create a pick list wherever you have the option to print.

Software that enables the online store to accept transactions.

ShipStation does not interact with your POS.

The provider you purchase your postage from. This provider may or may not be the same as the carrier that picks up or delivers the package (though, in most cases, it is).

For example:

  • Stamps.com is a postage provider, while USPS is the carrier.

  • ShipStation Carriers is a postage provider, while DPD, Parcelforce, and Evri are the couriers.

The printer workstation is the computer your printers are physically attached to via USB. ShipStation Connect must be installed and running on the printer workstation (but not on non-printer workstations) to print documents via ShipStation Connect.

An alias tells ShipStation that different SKUs are actually the same product. This feature helps with reporting and other product settings purposes. Aliases can be assigned to either Standalone or Variant products (but not Parent products).

The rows and columns that display product data in the Products screen. It’s a visual representation of the records in our database. The Products Grid is customizable in the same way as the Orders and Shipments Grids.

Information specific to the product (as opposed to order-level information). This includes SKU, Item Name, Warehouse Location, quantity, and unit price.

The data object that contains all of the information for a product in the Products grid. By default, a product record is created in ShipStation when an order imports with an item that doesn’t already have a product record and the selling channel’s settings are configured accordingly.

The left-hand sidebar section in the Products screen. You can view product records, preset groups, reporting categories, and inventory in separate grids.

The Rate Calculator allows you to enter shipment details (like postal codes, service, and weight) to view and compare the rates available for the carriers you have in ShipStation.

A way to update or renew a store connection in ShipStation without connecting a new store. This is useful if your store authentication or keys/tokens have changed. It is also sometimes used as a troubleshooting step when you have store connection or order import issues.

An authorization number or character sequence (typically) that must be displayed on or included with a returned product's packaging. This serves as part of the process of returning a product to receive a refund, replacement, or repair.

Also called a return authorization (RA) or a return goods authorization (RGA).

A selling channel is a platform through which you sell your products.

In ShipStation, this term refers to either a shopping cart (like Shopify) or marketplace (like Amazon) that you connect to ShipStation, either through direct integration, custom store, or via ShipStation's API. Often, the terms "store" and "selling channel" are used interchangeably.

The process of telling ShipStation to automatically assign a specific shipping service to an order when it imports with a specific requested service from the selling channel. This automates the service and package selection process and allows you to ship orders with fewer steps.

SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit. A merchant’s unique alphanumeric identification code for each product that can be purchased. SKUs differ from universal product codes (UPCs) in that they are not universal. This means that every retailer has their own unique set of SKUs to track their merchandise.

Product records in ShipStation are identified using the SKU by default (though if you don’t use SKUs, this can be modified so Product records are identified by the product name instead).

The address from where your packages ship. This information is required by postage providers before they will return a rate or create a label. The Ship From Location in your settings can also have a unique return address, which is the address that will print on the label.

You can add as many Ship From Locations as you need in ShipStation.

An email ShipStation sends to your customer once you create the label for their shipment. This option is disabled by default. You can also configure the notification to be sent at a later time, such as an hour after the label is created or when the shipment hits the mail stream.

The data object containing all of the information for a shipment. Shipment records are displayed in the Shipment grid and in the corresponding order's details.

Shipment records are created when you create a label.

The widget in ShipStation that contains the shipment's label details, the Shipment # and status, label tracking number, and a shipment action menu.

The widget appears in the Orders grid Shipping Sidebar, as well as the Order and Shipment Details screens, once a shipment record is created for an order.

Text messages sent via a traditional cellular network and limited to 160 characters, including spaces. Most carrier services chain messages together when SMSs exceed this limit. Now often includes Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), the media-enhanced version of an SMS message (built on the same technology as SMS ) that allows users to send images, videos, or audio.

The default product type in ShipStation. A standalone product type has no relationship to other products.

The active customer record that remains after several similar or redundant customer records have been combined or merged into one.

Taxpayer Identification Numbers quickly identify your business and track its related tax activities. Examples include the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in the US, Value Added Tax (VAT), Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS), and Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI).

You can add your TIN in ShipStation's International Settings. See our Tax Identifier Article for details.

Throttling is the process of limiting the number of requests you (or your authorized developer) can submit to a given operation in a given amount of time. Some selling channel platforms may throttle the number of requests that they will accept from third-party platforms like ShipStation.

Stands for Universal Product Code. UPC is a “barcode symbology” uniquely assigned to “trade items” to help track items at the point of sale in an automated way.

ShipStation’s Product Details support adding a UPC, and you can use a barcode scan in the advanced search to find orders with these products as well as with ShipStation's Verify & Print workflow.

A sellable product that belongs to a Parent product. This product type inherits any product defaults set in the Parent product details.

Variant products are products under a Parent "umbrella" and can be configured with inventory, just like Standalone products. Inventory will be deducted from the individual variant products when you ship them.

Variant products will be nested under their Parent product in the Products grid. They will also be displayed individually in the Inventory section of your Products tab.

An application or a component of a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to read, edit, or otherwise interact with a computer, perform a function, or access a service.

Each widget facilitates a specific type of user-computer interaction and appears as a visible part of the application's GUI.

Widgets that support user interaction include drop-down menus, icons, labels, buttons, and on-off checkboxes. Others - like windows, panels, and tabs - act as containers that group the widgets added to them.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) built the Automated Package Verification (APV) system to manage postage discrepancies (under-paid and over-paid postage labels) in an automated fashion. The APV system considers postage paid on every domestic package, based on weight, dimensions, package type, mailing service, and the origin and destination ZIP codes.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) built the Automated Package Verification (APV) system to manage postage discrepancies (under-paid and over-paid postage labels) in an automated fashion. The APV system considers postage paid on every domestic package, based on weight, dimensions, package type, mailing service, and the origin and destination ZIP codes.

ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. It's a unique block of 10 letters and/or numbers that identify your Amazon items. Find the ASIN on the item's product information page on Amazon.com. For books, the ASIN is the same as the ISBN number, but for all other products, a new ASIN is created when the item is uploaded to Amazon's catalog.

ASINs can be used to search for items in Amazon's catalog. If you know the ASIN or ISBN of the item you are looking for, simply type it into the search box (which can be found near the top of most pages), hit the Go button and if the item is listed in Amazon's catalog, it will appear in your search results. For example, the ASIN for Hasbro's Monopoly game is B00005N5PF. Source

A customs declaration form required for international shipping, especially for packages coming from or destined for outside of the EU. These forms contain information about the goods you are shipping, including which goods are packaged inside your parcel, their value, names of the shipper and receiver, and any parties involved in the shipping. Customs authorities use these forms to determine taxation, import duties, security, public health, and environmental protection.

These documents are scanned, and if descriptions inaccurately relate the contents, you may be fined for up to 100% of the merchandise value.

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Check with your national tax authority for an overview of all EU countries. Also, take note of any regions where exceptions may apply. Some regions within the EU are not part of the EU customs zone, but shipments to these regions are still subject to customs control. Thus, you must always include a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration with them.

Utiliser Étiquette verte CN22 avec Envois postaux (petits envois) de valeur inférieure ou égale à 380 euros.

NOTE: You can substitute a CN23 for a CN22, but not the other way around.

Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

A customs declaration form required for international shipping, especially for packages coming from or destined for outside of the EU. These forms contain information about the goods you are shipping, including which goods are packaged inside your parcel, their value, names of the shipper and receiver, and any parties involved in the shipping. Customs authorities use these forms to determine taxation, import duties, security, public health, and environmental protection.

These documents are scanned, and if descriptions inaccurately relate the contents, you may be fined for up to 100% of the merchandise value.

Check with your national tax authority for an overview of all EU countries. Also, take note of any regions where exceptions may apply. Some regions within the EU are not part of the EU customs zone, but shipments to these regions are still subject to customs control. Thus, you must always include a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration with them.

Utiliser Déclaration en douane CN23 (feuillet individuel ou feuillet intégré dans la liasse postale CP72) avec Envois postaux de valeur supérieure à 380 euros et inférieure ou égale à 1 000 euros. Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

NOTE: You can substitute a CN23 for a CN22, but not the other way around.

Attention : les formulaires postaux CN22 et CN23 ne peuvent être utilisés pour des envois dont la valeur dépasse 1 000 €. À partir, de ce montant, une déclaration en douane sera établie et déposée par La Poste 1. Pour ce type d’envois, il est préférable de se renseigner préalablement auprès des services compétents du pays de destination.

A commercial invoice details the agreement between the shipper and receiver. This includes who’s responsible for the shipment and the duties and taxes (and whether or not they’ve already been paid).

Commercial invoices are typically created for international shipments that use private carriers (like FedEx, DHL Express, and UPS).

CSV stands for 'comma-separated values'. This type of spreadsheet file is often used by ShipStation (and several of our integration partners) to import and export your ShipStation data for orders, products, and reports.

CUPS stands for Common Unix Printing System. It is the Mac OS method for managing print jobs and printing preferences.

The shipper is responsible for the shipment and for paying duties, taxes and/or fees assessed associated with the shipment. DDP and DDU/DAP are incoterms.

The opposite of DDU and DAP. See INCOTERM.

The shipper is responsible for the transportation costs, but not responsible for paying duties, taxes and/or fees assessed associated with this shipment. Customs agents will be using the contact information provided on the invoice and customs declarations to settle the charges.

The opposite of DDP. See similar DAP. See also INCOTERM.

The shipper is responsible for the transportation costs, but not responsible for paying the taxes associated with this shipment. Customs agents will be using the contact information provided on the invoice and customs declarations to settle the charges.

The opposite of DDP. See similar DDU. See also INCOTERM.

De Minimis Values are used in the context of international shipping. They are a valuation ceiling for imports where no tax or duties are charged and the clearance procedures are minimal for shipments that have a value less than the De Minimis threshold. De Minimis Values vary from country to country.

For example, imports into the US are subject to duty and taxes when the value is over the De Minimis Value of $800 USD.

Dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight, is a pricing technique for commercial transport (including courier and postal services) of larger packages with a lighter weight. DIM weight uses an estimated weight calculated from the length, width, and height of a package divided by a specific divisor determined by the carrier.

If DIM weight applies to your package, the carrier will compare the DIM weight and actual weight and charge the higher of the two for the label.

A customs requirement that information about the sender, receiver, and parcel contents all be gathered digitally and sent ahead to Customs in the destination country. China and the US have passed legislation introducing this requirement to bolster border protection, and more countries are likely to follow suit in the coming years.

A method to transmit information in a standardized digital format. UPS uses EDI to transmit customs documents electronically. "EDI" will be printed on UPS labels to indicate the data has been submitted electronically.

Certain platforms also use EDI to transmit sales orders, purchase orders, and other types of information. For selling channel platforms that use EDI, you must use one of ShipStation's solutions providers to import their orders into ShipStation.

A method to transmit customs documents electronically, used primarily by FedEx. The letters "ETD" will be printed on FedEx labels to indicate your data has been submitted electronically. For FedEx International Ground, the letters "ETD" will appear in a black box under the shipping service icon.

Labels that print with the label and packing slip on the same sheet.

Incoterms or International Commercial Terms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms that relate to international commercial law. Published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), these terms are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes, and their use is encouraged by trade councils, courts, and international lawyers. The terms exist as an international standard to protect buyers and sellers and to regulate the payment terms for the receiver of the goods.

See DDP, DDU, and DAP for examples of INCOTERMs.

A type of label that identifies certain potentially hazardous materials that have special requirements regarding shipping and handling. These materials have limited risk during transportation because of their quantity and packaging. Typically, they are for US domestic transport only. EX: hairspray, nail polish, medicines, detergents, fuels, drain openers, lighters, and more.

ShipStation does not currently have a built-in method to add ORM-D to any postage provider's labels. However, certain carriers may support ShipStation's "This shipment contains dangerous goods" option.

Also known as pay-on-scan. These are labels you are not charged for until the carrier scans them into the mail stream. UPS and FedEx are pay-on-use labels, which means you do not need to void them to get a refund if they are not used.

A firm that provides outsourced supply chain management and logistics services to its customers. Services generally include managing inventory, picking, packing, shipping, and returns management, among other functions. The terms 3PL and fulfilment are often used interchangeably.

Value-Added Tax - also known as a goods and services tax (GST) - is a consumption tax based on the value of goods and implemented as a destination-based tax. VAT usually comes into play when shipping internationally to countries that charge customs fees and taxes to recipients on imported goods. VAT may be recovered for commercial shipments only by a VAT registered recipient; VAT ranges from 5% to 25% depending upon country.

Shipments to certain countries are often subject to customs fees/taxes, like VAT. ShipStation does provide the option to have the fees charged to the shipper (DDP), instead of the recipient, if the carrier supports that option.

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