Guide
The Shipping Automation Rules Playbook
A practical guide to rules that streamline fulfilment and reduce manual work.
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt.
Over 30k retailers use Starshipit for fulfillment automation worldwide
Starshipit: Easy, effective shipping automation software
Save hours every week with Starshipit’s automated shipping software. Automate every step of your shipping process, from label printing and order notifications to generating packing slips, manifests, and more.
Hello Molly reduced dispatch headcount by 15-20% with shipping automation
“Integrating Starshipit with our WMS as well has helped us streamline and reduce the time it takes to fulfil orders. In the first year after implementation, we reduced our dispatch headcount by around 15 to 20%, while maintaining the same output level. That’s helped us lift throughput as we’ve grown, without dispatch labour having to grow at the same rate.”
Mario Eisa, Supply Chain Director at Hello Molly
Read the full case studyAutomate your shipping with smart rules, locally and globally
Take control of your shipping process with the rules engine. Automate tasks like covering shipping surcharges, splitting orders, correcting invalid addresses, setting delivery options, and customs documentation. Manage your orders based on destination, weight/size, SKU and more.
Increase your checkout conversions with shipping automation
Boost your sales by optimising your checkout process with shipping automation. Take control with customisable automation rules: display preferred delivery options, show live rates at checkout, and more.
Simplify order imports and multi-courier management
Save hours every week with Starshipit's automated shipping system. Seamlessly import orders from all your sales channels and use automation rules to assign them to various carriers.
Print shipping labels in one click with shipping automation
Generate and print shipping labels directly from your dashboard. Whether you need to print in bulk or individually, or download them as a PDF, it's all possible. Have a barcode scanner? Simply scan your packing slip to print a label instantly.
Take your pick and pack on the go with our warehouse app
Streamline your warehouse workflow with the Starshipit pick and pack mobile app. With built-in barcode scanning and real-time order management, you can efficiently pick and pack orders directly from any iOS or Android device.
Learn more about mobile-fulfilmentStarshipit is an award winning technology platform
Recognised by the NZ Hi-Tech Awards, Retail Systems Awards, TIN Awards, NORA Awards, VIP Awards, G2 and more.
Your complete solution for automated fulfillment
From the moment a customer places an order to its arrival on their doorstep, Starshipit automates manual processes, reduces human error, and saves you money.
Discover why retailers love Starshipit:
Automate your delivery notifications
Reduce order queries with automated, branded shipping notifications for every stage of the delivery process – including email and SMS.
Auto-correct invalid addresses
Correct invalid addresses worldwide in a single click. Save time and minimise errors with automatic address lookup and field population.
Create a self-service returns portal
Create a branded returns portal that empowers customers to generate their own return shipping labels and more.
Your complete solution for automated fulfillment
From the moment a customer places an order to its arrival on their doorstep, Starshipit automates manual processes, reduces human error, and saves you money.
Discover why retailers love Starshipit:
Automate your delivery notifications
Reduce order queries with automated, branded shipping notifications for every stage of the delivery process – including email and SMS.
Auto-correct invalid addresses
Correct invalid addresses worldwide in a single click. Save time and minimise errors with automatic address lookup and field population.
Create a self-service returns portal
Create a branded returns portal that empowers customers to generate their own return shipping labels and more.
Multi-location shipping and in-store fulfilment
Manage your operations in one dashboard for efficient distribution. Easily operate out of multiple warehouses and master in-store fulfillment.
Auto-assign packages to your orders
Automatically select the most efficient packaging for your orders by matching item dimensions with your configured packages.
Easily split and merge your orders
Split orders into multiple shipments from different warehouses, and merge orders going to the same destination address.
Multi-location shipping and in-store fulfilment
Manage your operations in one dashboard for efficient distribution. Easily operate out of multiple warehouses and master in-store fulfillment.
Auto-assign packages to your orders
Automatically select the most efficient packaging for your orders by matching item dimensions with your configured packages.
Easily split and merge your orders
Split orders into multiple shipments from different warehouses, and merge orders going to the same destination address.
Learn more about automated shipping with Starshipit
The following resources contain more information about the different areas of our automated shipping software:
Shipping labelsManage shipping costsMulti-carrier managementWant to learn more about shipping automation?
Case study
How Hello Molly cut warehouse labour by 20%
See how shipping automation supported global growth with less manual work.
Blog
Save 8 hours a week: Game-changing fulfilment tips and tricks
Practical ways to reduce repeat work, speed up fulfilment and stay accurate during busy periods.
Case study
How Arms Of Eve scaled to $20M using Starshipit
See how connected shipping and fulfilment workflows supported growth and peak-volume operations.
Fulfillment automation FAQs
What is fulfilment automation?
Fulfillment automation is the use of technology and software (like Starshipit) to streamline and manage the process of receiving, processing, and delivering customer orders.
What are the benefits of fulfilment automation?
Fulfilment automation can save time and money by reducing manual processes, minimizing human errors, speeding up order processing, improving accuracy, and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Can I generate packing slips, manifests, and customs documentation automatically?
Yes, you can save hours every week by automatically generating packing slips, shipping labels, and manifests. For international shipments, Starshipit can automatically generate and submit customs documentation.
Can Starshipit integrate with my existing platforms and couriers?
Yes, Starshipit integrates with eCommerce platforms, IMS, WMS, online marketplaces, accounting software, and the world's leading domestic and international couriers.
Can I automate which courier and service each order uses?
Yes. You can use shipping rules to choose a courier or service from order details such as destination, weight or shipping method. For example, a customer's standard or express choice can guide the service used at dispatch. Available actions depend on your courier setup, and rule allowances vary by plan. Test the rules with representative orders before applying them across your workflow.
What is shipping automation and how does it help eCommerce businesses?
Shipping automation uses rules and connected order data to handle repeatable fulfilment tasks without the team making every choice manually. That can include carrier allocation, label creation, shipping documents and customer notifications. Starshipit provides multi-carrier shipping workflows, rules-based allocation and automated email or SMS tracking updates.
What does shipping software do between an online order and courier collection?
Shipping software brings orders from supported sales channels into a shared workflow, helps choose shipping services, creates labels and passes tracking information back through supported connections. Your courier still transports the parcel. The exact steps depend on your platforms, couriers and fulfilment process, so test the complete order journey when comparing options.
Does Starshipit automatically update order status and tracking?
Yes, with Starshipit's write-back feature, you can automatically update the order status and tracking number in the source platform.
How does address validation work?
Starshipit can autocorrect invalid addresses with just one click, ensuring customers receive their orders even if they enter incorrect address details.
Can I use Starshipit for in-store fulfilment?
Yes, you can reduce transportation costs and lead times by fulfilling orders from your eCommerce channels with inventory held in your physical stores using Starshipit's automation.
How can I save time on address entry?
Starshipit offers automatic address look-up and population, saving time and reducing the number of non-delivered parcels due to input errors.
How do I cut down the time spent on shipping?
The quickest wins usually come from removing repeated decisions: choosing a carrier, creating labels, checking addresses and sending delivery updates. Set rules for the decisions your team makes every day, then review exceptions instead. Starshipit brings those shipping workflows, label creation and notifications into one platform.
Can fulfilment automation help with international shipping?
Yes, fulfilment automation can simplify international shipping by automatically generating and submitting customs documentation, calculating international shipping rates, and ensuring compliance with international shipping regulations.