Order Shipping

This page covers how shipping works specifically for orders. For comprehensive shipping documentation including packaging algorithms, carrier configuration, and tracking setup, see the Shipping & Logistics section.

Shipping Methods

When creating or editing an order, you'll select a Shipping Method (also called Delivery Option) that determines how the order will be delivered.

Available Delivery Types

Delivery options are configured by your company in Settings → Orders → Delivery Options. Common types include:

Delivery Type	Description	When to Use
Carrier Services	Live rates from UPS, FedEx, freight carriers	You want accurate, real-time shipping costs
Flat Rate	Fixed shipping price you define	Standard shipping charge regardless of order size
Dynamic (Per-Weight)	Price calculated based on order weight	Weight-based shipping
Local Pickup	Customer picks up from your location	No shipping needed
Free Shipping	No shipping charge	Promotional or included in product price

Note: The exact delivery options available depend on what your company has configured. Carrier Services enables real-time rate shopping from parcel and freight carriers.

Using Carrier Services

When you select a Carrier Services delivery option as the shipping method, you must request a carrier rate before the order can be saved. This ensures accurate shipping costs based on the actual products and destination.

How Carrier Services Work

Package Calculation — TimberCloud's algorithm calculates optimal packaging based on product dimensions
Rate Shopping — Live rates are fetched from parcel carriers (FedEx, UPS) and freight carriers (LTL)
Rate Selection — You choose the carrier and service level
Booking — When ready to ship, book the shipment and print labels

Requesting Rates from the Admin Panel

Select Shipping Method — Choose a Carrier Services delivery option in the Shipping tab
Click "Get Rates" — Button appears in the sidebar when a carrier service is selected
Review Packages — See auto-calculated packages based on order items
Select Shipping Mode:
- Auto (Recommended) — Algorithm decides based on package type and weight
- Small Parcel — Use FedEx, UPS, USPS carriers
- LTL Freight — Use freight carriers for heavy shipments
Configure Delivery Options — Select delivery requirements:
- Liftgate Delivery (no loading dock at destination)
- Residential Delivery (non-commercial address)
- Limited Access Delivery (restricted access location)
- Construction Site Delivery
- Appointment Delivery (scheduled delivery window)
Configure Coverage Options (optional):
- Protective Service Coverage
- Additional Insurance
Click "Get Rates" — Fetch live rates from carriers
Select a Rate — Choose your preferred carrier and service
Save — The rate is attached to the order

Important: You cannot save an order with a Carrier Services delivery option selected without first choosing a specific rate.

What Gets Saved with the Rate

When you select a rate, the following is stored with the order:

Carrier name and service level
Shipping cost (with any markup applied)
Package configuration
Delivery estimate
All data needed for booking when ready to ship

Carrier Services at Checkout (Embed)

When customers use your Embedded Storefront, they can also select carrier rates at checkout:

Customer selects a Carrier Services option as their delivery method
A "Look up carriers" button appears
Customer opens the Carrier Services modal
Packages are auto-calculated from their cart items
Live rates are fetched from carriers
Customer selects their preferred carrier and service
Shipping cost updates in their order total
They complete checkout with the selected rate

Note: Customers cannot complete checkout with a Carrier Services option selected until they've chosen a specific carrier rate. The checkout button will be disabled and show "Please Select a Carrier Rate".

Rate Staleness

Carrier rates expire after 24 hours. This ensures accurate pricing at the time of booking.

When Rates Become Stale

24 hours have passed since rate selection
Order items have been modified
Shipping address has changed
Estimated ship date has changed

Visual Indicators

When rates are stale, you'll see:

Yellow warning banner — Rates are outdated
"Regenerate Rates" button — With pulse animation
"Outdated" badge — On the selected rate card

Refreshing Rates

Open the Carrier Services modal
Click "Get Rates" to fetch fresh rates
Select a new rate
Save the order

Shipping Cost on Orders

How Shipping Cost is Calculated

Shipping Method	Cost Calculation
Carrier Services	From selected carrier rate + your markup
Flat Rate	Fixed amount from delivery option settings
Dynamic (Per-Weight)	Price per pound × order weight
Free Shipping	$0
Local Pickup	$0 (or custom fee if configured)

Shipping Markup

Add markup to carrier rates to cover handling and packaging:

Percentage Markup — e.g., 10% added to carrier rate
Fixed Markup — e.g., $10 added to all shipments

Configure in Settings → Orders → Shipping.

After the Order: Booking & Shipping

Once the order is ready to ship:

1. Book the Shipment

Navigate to the order
Click "Book Shipment"
Confirm package details
Shipment is booked with carrier
Labels are generated automatically

2. Print Labels

Download as PDF
Print directly to thermal printer
Email to shipping station

3. Ship & Track

Attach labels to packages
Arrange carrier pickup or drop-off
Mark order as Shipped
Tracking updates automatically

For detailed booking and tracking information, see:

Shipping on Different Order Types

Quote Orders

Carrier rates can be selected during quote creation
Rates may become stale before quote acceptance
Refresh rates when converting quote to order if needed

Ordered Status

Rate should be current before booking
Check for stale rate warnings
Book when ready to ship

Storefront Orders

Carrier rate data is saved with the order
All booking data ready for fulfillment
Package configuration preserved

Troubleshooting

"Get Rates" Button Not Appearing

Ensure shipping method is set to a Carrier Services delivery option
Check that you're in edit mode
Verify the order has items with products

No Rates Returned

Verify products have dimensions and weights configured
Check that shipping address is complete
Ensure freight class is set for LTL-eligible items
Verify carrier accounts are configured in settings

Can't Save Order with Carrier Services

You must select a specific rate first
Open the Carrier Services modal and select a rate
If no rates available, check product configuration

Rates Seem Too High

Check product dimensions and weights
Review freight class settings
Verify package consolidation settings
Try editing packages manually in the modal