Understanding shipping labels
After you set up your shipping, make sure you know how you'll be purchasing shipping labels, which type to buy, and the considerations for shipping to certain countries.
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Shipping label overview
Shipping labels are attached to a shipment's packaging. They display information that's used by shipping carriers to ensure a shipment is delivered correctly. Most labels contain the following information:
| Label information | Description |
|---|---|
| Recipient's name, address, and phone number | Lets the carrier know where to deliver the shipment, and provides a way to contact the recipient if necessary |
| The sender's address | Lets the carrier know where to return the shipment if it can't be delivered to the recipient's address |
| A barcode | Helps the carrier track the shipment's progress. For example, the barcodes are scanned whenever they enter or leave a carrier's facility |
Shipping labels can also show the following extra information:
- The shipment's order number
- A tracking number
- The date when the order was shipped
- The type of shipping service that was purchased
- The shipping carrier's information
Before you give a shipment to a shipping carrier, you must purchase a shipping label and attach it to your shipment's packaging.
Types of shipping labels
The main difference between shipping label types is the delivery speed. For example, a shipping label that promises delivery in 2 days is much more expensive than one that delivers in 7-10 days. Most shipping carriers offer their services in a variety of speeds, such as standard delivery (slow), expedited delivery (faster), and overnight delivery (fastest). Certain delivery speeds are not available for all locations.
When you set up your shipping, you should set your shipping prices according to the transit time that you want to offer. For example, if you want to provide your customers with 2-day shipping, then you might want to charge your customers more to cover your shipping costs than if you offered delivery within 7–10 days.
Labels also offer a certain amount of liability protection in case your shipment is damaged or lost. More expensive labels generally come with higher liability protection. If you're in the United States and purchase shipping labels throughShopify Shipping, then you can purchase additionalshipping insurance.
On some labels, you can also purchase additional services for your shipping labels:
A tracking number- This provides you with a number that you can use to track where your package is during its delivery. You can also provide this number to your customers so that they can see when their package is expected to be delivered. Most faster shipping options come with a tracking number included, but sometimes you can add it to slower methods for a fee.
Signature confirmation- This lets you request a signature from the customer when the shipment is delivered. This helps to make sure a shipment is delivered to the correct person.
Proof of age- If you send goods that have an age restriction on them, such as alcohol, then you can add a request for the shipping courier to check the ID of the recipient.
Some services are not available for some shipping labels. If you need a certain service, then make sure you purchase a shipping label that offers that service.
Tracking numbers
Some labels come with a tracking number for you to track the progress of your order. You can give this tracking number to your customers so that they can track their package as well. Most customers prefer to receive a tracking number because it gives them an estimated date when the package will arrive, and helps them feel confident that they will receive their order.
Shipping labels that come with tracking information generally cost more than those without. If you want to offer shipping labels with tracking to your customers, then make sure that you are accounting for higher shipping costs when you set your shipping prices.
If your supplier purchases the shipping labels, then make sure you know which type they are purchasing.
Determine if you need to purchase shipping labels
Depending on how your business is set up, either you or your supplier purchases shipping labels. Generally, whoever is giving the shipment to the shipping carrier is the one who purchases the shipping label. If your supplier purchases the label for the shipment, then they usually charge you for the cost.
International considerations
Some countries have unique shipping regulations that you need to meet so that your shipments reach your customers. Failing to meet these regulations can result in the shipment being delayed, returned, or destroyed.
Shipping to Brazil
For merchants who sell to customers in Brazil, there is a field labeledAdditional informationon the payment page in the checkout process. This field appears only on the payment page in the checkout process on the online store. It does not appear on Shopify POS or on the mobile app.
Customers who receive shipments from both outside and inside of Brazil enter theirCadastro de Pessoas Físicas(CPF) orCadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica(CNPJ) number into this field. After a customer places an order, you can find their CPF/CNPJ number on their order details page. If your customer is a foreign national without a CPF or CNPJ number, then they can enter their passport number in this field.
如果你在巴西,那么您必须使用论坛/ CNPJ number when issuing the government invoice for the customer. If you are outside of Brazil, then you must add the customer's CPF/CNPJ number to the shipping label. Packages without a CPF/CNPJ number on the shipping label might be destroyed or returned. CPF/CNPJ numbers are not added to shipping labels that are purchased through Shopify Shipping and must be written on the physical label after printing. If you purchase shipping labels through a third-party shipping carrier, then contact your carrier to determine how to add the CPF/CNPJ number.
If a supplier purchases labels on your behalf, then make sure that they add the CPF/CNPJ number to the shipping labels.
Shipping to South Korea
在韩国商人卖给客户and ship their products from outside of South Korea, there is a field labeledAdditional informationon the payment page in the checkout process. This field appears only on the payment page in the checkout process on the online store. It does not appear on Shopify POS or on the mobile app.
Customers who receive shipments from outside of South Korea enter theirPersonal Customs Clearance Code(PCCC) into this field. After a customer places an order, you can find their PCCC number on their order details page. If your customer is a foreign national without a PCCC number, then they can enter their passport number in this field.
If you are outside of South Korea, then you must add the customer's PCCC number to the shipping label. Packages without a PCCC number on the shipping label might be destroyed or returned. PCCC numbers are not added to shipping labels that are purchased through Shopify Shipping and must be written on the physical label after printing. If you purchase shipping labels through a third-party shipping carrier, then contact your carrier to determine how to add the PCCC number.
If a supplier purchases labels on your behalf, then make sure that they add the PCCC number to the shipping labels.
Shipping to Italy
For merchants in Italy who sell to customers in Italy, there are two fields labeledAdditional informationon the payment page in the checkout process. These fields appear only on the payment page in the checkout process on the online store. They do not appear on Shopify POS or on the mobile app.
Customers in Italy enter theirCodice Fiscale(CF) and theirPosta Elettronica Certificata(PEC) into these fields. After a customer places an order, you can find their CF number and PEC on their order details page.
TheAdditional informationfields are not mandatory, because not every transaction requires an invoice. If you are located in Italy and your customer enters information in these fields, then you must issue an invoice to your customer for tax regulations and control. If the fields have been filled out at the checkout, then a banner appears on the order details page.
Shipping to China
For merchants who sell to customers in China, there is a field labeledAdditional informationon the payment page in the checkout process. This field appears only on the payment page in the checkout process on the online store. It does not appear on Shopify POS or on the mobile app. If your customer is a foreign national without a resident ID number, then they can enter their passport number in this field.
Customers who receive shipments from outside of China enter theirPeople's Republic of China Resident Identity Card(resident ID) into this field. After a customer places an order, you can find their resident ID number on their order details page.
If you are outside of China, then you must add the customer's resident ID to the shipping label. Packages without a resident ID on the shipping label might be destroyed or returned. Resident ID numbers numbers are not added to shipping labels that are purchased through Shopify Shipping and must be written on the physical label after printing. If you purchase shipping labels through a third-party shipping carrier, then contact your carrier to determine how to add the resident ID number.
If a supplier purchases labels on your behalf, then make sure that they add the resident ID number to the shipping labels.