Shipping Configuration

Customize how TimberCloud's shipping system works for your company. Define packaging rules, shipping-mode preferences, markup, pallet specs, fulfillment locations, and more.

Note: Rate-shopping, booking, and label printing run through TimberCloud's integrated carrier network — you do not enter your own FedEx, UPS, USPS, or LTL carrier accounts or API keys. TimberCloud manages the carrier relationships centrally; you just configure the packaging and markup settings below, then shop live rates and book in-app. See Rate Shopping and Booking & Labels.

Carrier Services availability

Live carrier rate-shopping and label booking are a plan-gated capability:

• Included on Build, Production, and Enterprise plans.
• On Commerce, add the Carrier & Freight Services add-on ($99/mo) to enable in-app rate shopping and booking.
• The Free plan is inquiry/quote-only and does not include carrier services or payments.

The packaging, box, pallet, and markup settings on this page can still be configured ahead of time, but you'll need an eligible plan (or the add-on) to actually shop rates and book shipments. See Subscriptions & Plans for details.

Accessing Shipping Settings

Navigate to Settings → Orders → Shipping or Settings → Orders → Packaging.

Packaging Mode

Control how the algorithm packages your products:

Auto Mode Behavior

In Auto mode, the algorithm:

1. Analyzes each product's dimensions and weight
2. Checks against parcel shipping limits (108" max dimension, 165" length + girth, 150 lbs)
3. Assigns items to Box or Pallet as appropriate
4. Groups similar items for efficient packing
5. Applies consolidation rules

For a deeper look at how packing works, see Smart Packaging.

Default Shipping Mode

Determines which carrier type to use by default:

Note: When set to Auto, TimberCloud routes to LTL freight whenever any package is a pallet or the total shipment weight exceeds 150 lbs; otherwise it uses small parcel.

When to Use Each Mode

Auto (Recommended)

• Mixed orders with boxes and pallets
• Let the algorithm optimize carrier selection
• Best overall cost efficiency

Small Parcel Only

• Lightweight products only
• Customers expect parcel delivery speeds

LTL Freight Only

• Heavy products across the board
• Commercial/industrial customers with docks

Consolidation Rules

Max Boxes Before Pallet

Set a threshold where box shipments convert to pallets:

Example:

Setting: 6 boxes

Order generates 8 boxes → Reconsolidated onto 1-2 pallets
Benefit: A single freight shipment is often cheaper than 8 parcel packages

Prefer Fewer Packages

When enabled (default):

• The algorithm prioritizes fitting items into fewer, larger packages
• Reduces package count even if boxes aren't optimally sized
• Generally lowers shipping costs

When disabled:

• Each item goes in the smallest suitable box
• May result in more packages
• Useful when consolidation creates handling issues

Custom Box Sizes

Define boxes that match your actual packaging inventory.

Enabling Custom Boxes

1. Toggle "Use Custom Box Sizes" ON
2. Add your boxes with:
   • Name: Descriptive identifier
   • Width: Interior width in inches
   • Length: Interior length in inches
   • Height: Interior height in inches
   • Max Weight: Maximum weight capacity in pounds

Example Custom Box Setup

Tips for Custom Boxes

• Measure actual boxes — use interior dimensions
• Include common sizes — cover your product range
• Consider weight limits — match to your packaging materials
• Add specialty boxes — long boxes for stiles, rails, and trim

Pallet Configuration

Customize your default pallet specifications:

Best Practices

• Match your inventory — use pallets you actually stock
• Account for wrap — max height includes stretch wrap
• Consider truck limits — standard trucks fit 48" × 40" pallets

Shipping Markup

Add your markup to carrier rates before they're shown to customers:

Setting Markup

1. Go to Settings → Orders → Shipping
2. Enter a markup percentage or fixed amount
3. Save changes
4. Markup is applied to all future rate quotes

Note: When you book a shipment, TimberCloud charges your shop's card on file for the carrier rate plus the platform markup, recorded as a shipping platform charge. See Platform Charges and Booking & Labels.

Fulfillment Locations

Configure where orders ship from. This drives origin addresses and LTL pickup details for rate-shopping.

Important: Shipping from multiple locations (multi-warehouse fulfillment) is a Production (and Enterprise) feature. On lower plans you ship from a single primary location. See Subscriptions & Plans and Locations.

Adding a Location

1. Go to Settings → Company → Locations
2. Click "Add Location"
3. Enter:
   • Location name
   • Address
   • Contact information

Location Settings

LTL Location Services

Each location can define default LTL freight services so freight quotes reflect what's available at that origin:

These defaults pre-fill freight options when you shop rates, and you can still adjust them per shipment.

Address Validation

Settings

Residential flags matter because they can affect carrier rates and surcharges at checkout.

Notification Settings

Configure shipping notifications. These are managed alongside your other notification preferences (in-app, email, and SMS).

Customer Notifications

Internal Notifications

Rate Validity

Live carrier rates are time-sensitive:

• Shopped rates remain valid for 24 hours, the standard expiration window.
• Rates also go stale early if the order's items, shipping address, or due date change.

When a rate is stale, simply re-shop rates before booking to get a fresh, accurate quote. See Rate Shopping for the full rate-shopping workflow.

Product Shipping Defaults

Set default shipping configuration for new products:

You can override any of these per product on the product's Shipping Options tab.

Troubleshooting Configuration

Custom Boxes Not Being Used

• Ensure "Use Custom Box Sizes" is enabled
• Verify box dimensions are valid (positive numbers)
• Check that at least one custom box is defined

Products Not Packaging Correctly

• Verify products have dimensions and weight configured
• Check parts configuration if using unassembled shipping
• Review freight class settings for LTL items

No Rates Showing

• Confirm your plan includes Carrier Services — Build+, or the Carrier & Freight Services add-on on Commerce (see Subscriptions & Plans)
• Make sure all line items have dimensions and weight so packages can be calculated
• Verify the shipping address is complete and valid
• If rates were shopped over 24 hours ago, re-shop to refresh them

Related Settings

• Order Settings — lead times, PDF settings
• Shipping Options — product-level shipping configuration
• Parts — product components for shipping and production
• Smart Packaging — how packaging works

Next Steps

• Smart Packaging — package optimization
• Rate Shopping — compare carrier rates
• Booking & Labels — book shipments and print labels
• Tracking — automatic delivery tracking