Shipping & Logistics Dashboard

The Shipping & Logistics Dashboard provides a centralized view for managing orders from completion through delivery. Access it via Shop → Shipping in the main navigation.

Plan availability: The Shop surface (including the Shipping & Logistics Dashboard) is a Production (and Enterprise) feature. Live carrier rate-shopping, booking, and label printing require Carrier Services, which are included on Build / Production / Enterprise and available on Commerce via the Carrier & Freight Services add-on ($99/mo). Merchants do not connect their own FedEx/UPS/USPS/LTL carrier accounts — rating and booking run through TimberCloud's integrated carrier network. See Subscriptions & Plans.

Dashboard Overview

The Shipping Dashboard tracks orders through three stages:

Header Section

Location Selector

At the top right, filter by fulfillment location:

• All Locations - View combined shipping data across all shops
• Specific Location - Filter to orders from a single fulfillment center

Location selection persists across all tabs. (Multi-location fulfillment is a Production+ feature — see Locations.)

Live Clock

A real-time clock displays the current time, useful for time-sensitive shipping cutoffs.

Date Display

Current date shown in format: "Day, Month Date, Year • Company Name"

Metrics Cards

Four key metrics display at the top:

These metrics update in real-time and respect your location filter.

Packaging Tab

The first tab shows orders with "Completed" status that need packaging configuration.

What Appears Here

Orders that have:

• Passed Quality Control
• Been marked "Completed"
• Not yet been configured for shipping

Packaging Workflow

1. Select an order from the list
2. Review packages - System auto-calculates optimal packaging
3. Adjust if needed - Modify dimensions, weights, quantities
4. Save configuration - Mark ready for shipping

Package Configuration

For each order, configure:

Smart Packaging System

TimberCloud's algorithm automatically:

• Extracts product dimensions and weights
• Groups similar items efficiently
• Determines box vs. pallet based on size/weight
• Separates hazardous materials
• Applies consolidation rules

Example:
ORDER: 10 cabinet doors + 5 drawer fronts + 2 hardware kits

BEFORE (No Optimization):  17 separate packages → $136 shipping
AFTER (Smart Packaging):   2 optimized packages → $48 shipping

SAVINGS: 65% ✓

Package Type Rules

Note: Auto shipping-mode detection routes an order to LTL freight when any package is a pallet or the total weight exceeds 150 lbs; otherwise it ships as small parcel.

Pending Shipment Tab

The second tab shows completed orders that haven't shipped yet.

Carrier Services required: Shopping rates, booking, and printing labels from this tab require Carrier Services (Build+ or the Commerce Carrier & Freight Services add-on). If your plan doesn't include them, you'll be prompted to upgrade or add the service.

Order List

Displays orders that have:

• Completed packaging configuration
• Status "Completed" and not yet shipped
• Not yet been booked with a carrier

Actions Available

Rate Shopping

Click "Shop Rates" to open the Carrier Services Modal:

1. Select shipping mode:

   • Auto (recommended) - System determines based on package type
   • Small Parcel - Lightweight, boxable shipments
   • LTL Freight - Palletized or heavy freight

2. Configure shipping options:

   • Liftgate Required
   • Residential Delivery
   • Inside Delivery
   • Appointment Required
   • Insurance

3. Fetch rates from the integrated carrier network

4. Compare and select the best rate

5. Save to order for booking

For full details on rate shopping, see Rate Shopping.

Booking Shipments

Once a rate is selected:

1. Click "Book Shipment"
2. Confirm package details
3. The shipment cost (carrier rate + your platform markup) is charged to the shop's card on file via Stripe and recorded as a "shipping" platform charge
4. Shipment booked with the carrier
5. Labels generated automatically
6. Tracking number, tracking URL, and label PDF returned
7. Order status updates to "Shipped"

Important: Booking charges your card automatically. If booking fails, the charge is automatically canceled — no money is taken. These shipment charges are billed to your shop (not the customer); see Platform Charges and Booking & Labels.

Label Printing

After booking:

• Download label as PDF
• Print directly from browser
• Send to thermal printer
• Email to shipping station

Deliveries Tab

The third tab tracks shipped orders through delivery.

Order Statuses

Tracking Information

For each shipped order:

• Tracking number(s)
• Current status
• Estimated delivery date
• Carrier and service level
• Link to carrier tracking page

Automatic Updates

TimberCloud keeps tracking current via the Parcels App tracking network:

• Polling - Active shipments are checked automatically about every 15 minutes
• Webhook - An optional webhook delivers updates as carriers report them

When all of an order's tracking numbers show delivered:

• Order status automatically updates to "Delivered"
• Delivery date is recorded
• Customer notifications are sent (if configured)

For the full tracking model, see Package Tracking.

Carrier Services Integration

Rating, booking, and label printing run through TimberCloud's integrated carrier network — you don't enter or maintain your own carrier accounts or API keys. The carriers below are illustrative of the parcel and freight options the network can return; the exact carriers and services available depend on your origin, destination, and shipment.

Parcel Carriers (illustrative)

Freight Carriers — LTL (illustrative)

Shipping Options

Delivery Options

Coverage Options

Rate Staleness

Shipping rates expire after 24 hours to ensure accurate pricing.

Visual Indicators

• Yellow warning when rates are outdated
• "Regenerate Rates" button with pulse animation
• "Outdated" badge on stale rate cards

When Rates Become Stale

• 24 hours since rate selection
• Order items modified
• Shipping address changed
• Due date changed

Always regenerate rates before booking if they're stale.

Configuration

Packaging Settings

Configure in Settings → Orders → Packaging:

Packaging Mode:

• Auto (Recommended)
• Boxes Only
• Pallets Only

Default Shipping Mode:

• Auto
• Small Parcel Only
• LTL Freight Only

Consolidation Rules:

• Max boxes before converting to pallet
• Prefer fewer packages option

Custom Box Sizes:

• Define your actual box inventory
• Set dimensions and max weights

Pallet Configuration:

• Default pallet dimensions
• Max stack height
• Max weight capacity

Shipping Markup

Add your markup to carrier rates:

• Percentage - Add X% to rates
• Fixed Amount - Add a flat fee

Configure in Settings → Orders → Shipping. Your markup is added on top of the carrier rate when the shipment is booked and charged. See Shipping Configuration for the full settings reference.

Location Settings

Each fulfillment location can have:

• Default LTL services (liftgate, dock availability)
• A shipping origin address

Locations are configured under Settings → Company → Locations. Multi-location fulfillment is a Production+ feature.

Workflow Summary

Complete Order Flow

1. Order Completed (QC passed)
   ↓
2. Packaging Tab → Configure packages
   ↓
3. Pending Shipment Tab → Shop rates, select carrier
   ↓
4. Book Shipment → Generate labels
   ↓
5. Deliveries Tab → Track to delivery
   ↓
6. Delivered → Order complete

Quick Reference

Troubleshooting

No Orders in Packaging

Check:

• Orders have passed QC
• Order status is "Completed"
• Location filter matches the order's fulfillment location

No Rates Returned

Check:

• Your plan includes Carrier Services (Build+ or the Commerce Carrier & Freight Services add-on)
• The shipping address is complete and valid
• Products have weight and dimensions
• The destination is serviceable

Booking Fails

Check:

• A valid payment method is on file for your shop (shipments are charged to your card at booking)
• The shipping address passed validation
• Package dimensions and weights are within limits
• Your rates haven't gone stale — regenerate if needed

Tracking Not Updating

Check:

• The tracking number was assigned at booking
• Allow up to ~15 minutes for the next automatic sync
• The order has a valid tracking number on file

Related Documentation

• Package Tracking - Detailed tracking documentation
• Shipping Configuration - Full shipping settings
• Rate Shopping - Carrier rate comparison
• Booking & Labels - Label generation guide
• Platform Charges - Shipment charges billed to your shop
• Subscriptions & Plans - Plan availability for Shop and Carrier Services