Shipping & Logistics
TimberCloud provides comprehensive shipping management with intelligent packaging optimization, multi-carrier rate shopping, real-time booking, and package tracking—all integrated into your order workflow.
Important: Live rate shopping and label booking ("Carrier Services") are plan-gated. They're included on Build, Production, and Enterprise; on Commerce they require the Carrier & Freight Services add-on ($99/mo). The Free plan does not include Carrier Services (it's inquiry/quote-only). See Subscriptions & Plans for the full breakdown.
Overview
Our shipping system handles the complete fulfillment lifecycle:
- Smart Package Optimization — Automatically determines optimal packaging
- Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping — Compare live parcel and freight rates in real time
- In-App Booking — Book shipments and generate labels without leaving TimberCloud
- Package Tracking — Real-time tracking updates for you and your customers
- Flexible Configuration — Customize packaging rules to match your business
No carrier accounts to set up
You do not connect your own FedEx, UPS, USPS, or LTL freight accounts, and you don't enter any carrier API keys. TimberCloud ships through an integrated carrier network and manages those relationships centrally. You simply shop live rates, book, and print labels in-app — carrier access is built in.
How It Works
ORDER PLACED → PACKAGE CALCULATION → RATE SHOPPING → BOOKING → TRACKING1. Package Calculation
When you request shipping rates, TimberCloud's intelligent packaging algorithm:
- Analyzes your products' dimensions and weights
- Groups compatible items together
- Determines optimal box or pallet configuration
- Calculates total shipment weight and dimensions
Learn more about Smart Packaging →
2. Rate Shopping
With packages calculated:
- Select your shipping mode (or let Auto decide)
- Compare live rates across parcel and freight options
- View delivery times and service levels
- Apply your shipping markup
Rates are good for 24 hours and go stale if order items, the shipping address, or the due date change. Learn more about Rate Shopping →
3. Booking
Once a rate is selected:
- Book the shipment directly through the integrated network
- Generate the shipping label (PDF)
- Receive a tracking number and tracking URL
- The shipment cost is charged to your card on file and recorded as a shipping platform charge
4. Tracking
Throughout delivery:
- Real-time status updates (polled about every 15 minutes)
- Customer-facing tracking on the order page
- Delivery notifications
- Automatic move to Delivered when all tracking numbers report delivered
Carrier Network
Rate shopping and booking run through an integrated carrier network rather than accounts you maintain yourself. The network spans both small-parcel and LTL freight carriers, so you can ship a single drawer front or a palletized cabinet run from the same screen.
Note: The carrier names below are illustrative of the kinds of services the network offers. The exact set of carriers and services available for any given shipment depends on origin, destination, package details, and live availability — the rate-shopping results always show what you can actually book.
Parcel (small package)
Typical parcel services include major nationwide carriers for express, ground, and economy delivery — for example FedEx, UPS, and USPS-style services.
Freight (LTL)
For heavy or palletized shipments, the network includes national and regional less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carriers offering full-service LTL, regional, and coast-to-coast lanes.
Shipping Modes
TimberCloud supports three shipping modes:
| Mode | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Auto | Automatically routes each shipment based on package type and weight | Most orders |
| Small Parcel | Box-based parcel shipping | Light shipments |
| LTL Freight | Palletized freight shipping | Heavy / pallet shipments |
Auto Mode is recommended. It routes a shipment to LTL freight when any package is a pallet or the total weight exceeds 150 lbs; otherwise it ships small parcel.
Key Features
Smart Packaging
The packaging algorithm groups compatible items and chooses the right boxes or pallets so you don't ship every part in its own carton. Fewer, better-sized packages generally mean lower rates.
Learn more about Smart Packaging →
Rate Shopping
Compare carriers in real time:
- View all available rates for the shipment
- Sort by price or delivery time
- Apply shipping markups automatically
Learn more about Rate Shopping →
Direct Booking
Book shipments without leaving TimberCloud:
- One-click booking
- Automatic label generation
- Tracking number and URL assignment
- The shipment cost is charged to your card on file at booking (rate + your markup); if booking fails, the charge is automatically canceled and no money is taken
Package Tracking
Keep everyone informed:
- Real-time status updates
- Customer tracking on the order page
- Email notifications
- Automatic delivery confirmation
Quick Start
For Orders
- Open an order with the Delivery Option set to Carrier Services
- Click Shop Rates to open the carrier services modal
- Review the auto-calculated packages (edit if needed)
- Select shipping options (liftgate, residential, etc.)
- Click Get Rates to fetch live rates
- Select your preferred rate and click Save
- When ready to ship, click Book Shipment
- Print the label and ship
For Quotes
- The customer builds an order in your storefront
- Selects Carrier Services as the delivery option
- Sees estimated shipping based on the auto-calculated packages
- Submits the quote request
Tip: If you don't see the Carrier Services / Shop Rates option, confirm your plan includes it (Build, Production, Enterprise) or that the Carrier & Freight Services add-on is enabled on Commerce. See Subscriptions & Plans.
Product Configuration
For accurate shipping calculations, configure these fields on each product:
| Field | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Width, height, depth | 24" × 36" × 2" |
| Weight | Product weight | 15 lbs |
| Freight Class | Required for LTL | 150 (wood products) |
| Package Type | Preferred packaging | Box, Pallet, or Auto |
| Stackable | Can items be stacked? | Yes / No |
| Hazmat | Hazardous material flag | Yes / No |
Parts Configuration
For products that ship unassembled, configure Parts with:
- Part dimensions (static or calculated)
- Weight per part
- Quantity per product
- Package-separately flag
Shipping Workflow Summary
For Quotes
- Customer builds the order
- Selects Carrier Services as the delivery option
- Views estimated shipping (auto-calculated)
- Submits the quote request
For Orders
- Admin opens the order
- Clicks Shop Rates
- Reviews the auto-calculated packages
- Selects shipping options
- Fetches live rates
- Compares and selects the best rate
- Saves the order with the selected rate
- Books the shipment when ready
- Prints labels
- Tracks delivery
Next Steps
- Smart Packaging — How the packaging algorithm works
- Rate Shopping — Comparing carrier rates
- Booking & Labels — Booking shipments and printing labels
- Tracking — Package tracking and delivery status
- Configuration — Packaging, markup, and location settings
- Platform Charges — How booked shipments are billed to your card
- Subscriptions & Plans — Carrier Services availability by plan