You put a lot of effort into making sure your customers have a great experience. You approve product photos, fine-tune your online store design, and craft marketing emails—all with the goal of keeping customers happy.

But there’s still one big question: what’s the best way to ship your products to customers?

Ecommerce shipping is a critical part of your business. It’s the moment when customers finally get to hold your product in their hands. At the same time, fulfillment and logistics can become one of your biggest expenses—making it essential to have the right shipping strategy in place.

In this guide, we’ll cover ecommerce shipping best practices: from choosing the right strategy and packaging to working with carriers, handling tracking and insurance, lowering shipping costs, and exploring integration options that streamline the entire process.

How to easily ship products to customers

1. Design Your Packaging Materials

Your product packaging does more than protect an item—it helps shape the customer experience and can influence whether they come back for more. That’s why it’s worth investing time in creating packaging that feels special and memorable.

Here are some packaging elements you might want to customize:

Boxes or bags
Tissue paper or filler
Tape
Stickers
Business cards
Branded promotional inserts
Personalized notes

The more thoughtful and unique your packaging design, the more it will stick in your customers’ minds. Even a simple touch, like a handwritten thank you card, can make the unboxing experience feel personal.

Ideally, start thinking about your packaging design before you sell your first product—this way, you can wow customers from day one.

2. Package Your Order

Once your products are ready, it’s time to carefully package the order. Start by adding your chosen filler material to cushion the items. Then, gently place the products inside the box so they’re secure and protected during shipping.

Consider adding small extras—like branded stickers, a business card, a thank-you note, or even a personalized message—to make the unboxing experience more memorable.

Finally, seal the package securely and get it ready for shipment.

3. Print Your Shipping Label

When a new order comes in through your Shopify store, head to your dashboard to generate the shipping label. This will include all the key details you need—like the customer’s name and mailing address.

Once printed, attach the label securely to the top of your sealed package. Then set it aside while you continue preparing any other orders.

4. Drop Off Orders at Your Preferred Shipping Facility

Once you’ve packaged your orders, the next step is getting them on their way to customers. You can drop them off at your local shipping facility—whether that’s USPS, FedEx, UPS, or DHL Express. Be sure to collect tracking numbers so customers can monitor their delivery and know when to expect their package.

Or, Simplify with an Ecommerce Fulfillment Warehouse
If handling shipping yourself feels overwhelming, consider outsourcing to an ecommerce fulfillment warehouse. In this model, you only need to design your packaging materials and send them—along with your products—to the fulfillment center.

From there, whenever a new order comes in, the fulfillment partner takes care of everything: picking the items, packing them up, and shipping them directly to your customer. All you need to do is process the payment and keep growing your business.

Ecommerce Shipping Strategy 101

Before you start shipping products to your customers, it helps to understand the basics. These foundational steps set the stage for a smooth and cost-effective shipping process. While you can refine and adjust each element as your business grows, these key decisions form the core of a strong ecommerce shipping strategy.

Your Shipping Rates and Methods

Will you pass the full cost of shipping onto your customers, or offer free or flat-rate shipping to cover some—or all—of the cost yourself? How will you handle deliveries to local customers?

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the insights you need to make the right choices for your business and create a shipping strategy that works for both you and your customers.

Product Weights

To make shipping smoother, measure and record the weight of every product you sell. Knowing your products’ weights helps you estimate total shipping costs accurately and ensures you can provide precise shipping prices to your customers.

Choose Your Preferred Packaging

Selecting the right packaging for your products is key. For example, shipping a hat requires a different approach than sending an art print. Once you’ve chosen the packaging types that suit your products, you can add this information to your Shopify store. This ensures you can calculate accurate shipping prices and provide a smooth experience for your customers.

Source Your Packaging

You can take advantage of free packaging offered by carriers like USPS, UPS, or DHL, or invest in branded packaging if that fits your strategy.

💡Tip: Clearly communicating shipping speeds at checkout helps improve cart conversion, builds transparency, and boosts customer confidence.

Ecommerce Shipping Rates and Methods

Before you start shipping orders, you need to define your shipping pricing strategy. There are several common methods to choose from, but your decision should always be guided by your business’s financials to ensure it’s both competitive and profitable.

Offer Free Shipping

Free shipping is one of the most effective ways to reduce shopping cart abandonment—but remember, shipping is never truly free; someone has to cover the cost. To make free shipping work, consider these approaches:

Increase product prices to cover shipping costs (customer pays).
Absorb the full shipping cost yourself (you pay).
Split the cost by slightly raising product prices while covering part of shipping yourself (shared cost).
Offer free shipping via a discount code for select customers.

Another common strategy is to offer free shipping on orders over a minimum purchase amount. This can help offset shipping costs by increasing your average order size, but keep in mind it still comes out of your margins—so it’s not always the most profitable solution for every online seller.

Charge Real-Time Carrier Rates

Another effective strategy is to charge real-time carrier rates for shipping. Platforms like Shopify offer integrations that connect with carriers such as USPS, Canada Post, and others to provide live shipping options and accurate pricing.

This way, your customers can select and pay for the exact shipping service they prefer, making the checkout experience transparent and flexible.

Charge a Flat Rate

Flat rate shipping is a popular and straightforward option. The key is to avoid drastically undercharging or overcharging customers.

Flat rate works best if your product line is fairly standard, with items of similar size and weight. If you sell a wide variety of products with different sizes and weights, flat rate shipping can become complicated and less effective.

Offer Local Delivery

Local delivery is a great option for small businesses wanting to provide fast, reliable next-day service to nearby customers. You can set up your delivery area using a radius or a list of zip/postal codes, allowing eligible customers to select “local delivery” at checkout.

Offering local delivery for free on orders over a certain amount—or at a low flat rate—can help reduce shipping costs while attracting more local buyers. In many cases, you can handle deliveries yourself without relying on an ecommerce shipping provider.

Calculating Ecommerce Shipping Rates

Shipping rates from couriers are determined by several factors, including:

Package size
Package weight
Origin address
Destination address
Tracking
Insurance

Comparing services can be tricky, as each courier offers slightly different options and every business has unique variables that affect shipping costs. Understanding these factors will help you choose the most cost-effective and reliable shipping solutions for your store.

Consider Your Margins

To succeed in ecommerce, keeping a close eye on your profit margins is essential. Shipping can be a significant expense, and without proper planning, you risk losing money on each order.

Before finalizing your pricing and shipping strategy, map out all shipping solutions and associated costs. Many ecommerce entrepreneurs are surprised at how quickly small fees add up. Don’t get caught off guard.

Here’s a quick example of how to calculate your total price, including shipping and other expenses:

Cost Item	Amount
Product	$10.00
Packaging	$0.50
Shipping costs	$7.50
Customs/Duties (if covered)	$0.00
Credit card fee	$2.50
Profit margin	50%
Total price	$30.75

This approach ensures you account for every cost and maintain healthy profit margins while offering competitive shipping.

Packaging and Marketing

As ecommerce continues to evolve, so do customer expectations. Shoppers now see shipping, packaging, and presentation as part of the overall experience—not just a way to receive a product.

To compete effectively, many businesses go beyond simply delivering items; they aim to create a memorable experience. Thoughtful packaging inserts and presentation can set your business apart. In a world where sealed factory bags and plain order receipts are the norm, small details make a big impact.

Think about how you can enhance the customer experience through your packaging and use it as an extension of your brand. From personalized notes to branded wrapping, every touchpoint is an opportunity to leave a lasting impression.

Packaging Options

Before shipping your products, you need to package them for safe transport. There are several common packaging options, such as boxes or envelopes—padded or unpadded.

For most businesses, a box combined with additional packaging materials ensures products arrive safely. But it’s also worth thinking outside the box (pun intended!) and exploring alternative packaging options.

For example, poly mailers are a great choice for items that don’t require much structure or cushioning, like clothing. They’re lightweight—helping reduce shipping costs—and flexible, adjusting to different volumes and weights. One poly mailer could hold a single pair of socks or five pairs without overpaying on shipping dimensions or weight.

If you’re sourcing packaging, suppliers like ValueMailers, Fast-Pack, and eSupplyStore offer a wide range of options. Many carriers, including USPS, DHL, and UPS, also provide free packaging in various types and sizes.

Keep It Light and Small

Since shipping costs are often based on size and weight, aim to keep your packaging as compact as possible. Smaller packages help reduce shipping rates, lower what your customers pay, and prevent packaging costs from cutting into your profit margin.

Depending on your product line, it can be helpful to stock a variety of package sizes and materials so you’re prepared for any order.

Insurance and Tracking

Depending on what you’re selling and its value, shipping insurance and tracking can provide peace of mind. Most ecommerce shipping companies offer these services at a relatively low cost, giving you recourse if a package is lost or damaged. Some services, like UPS and USPS Priority Mail, even include complimentary coverage up to $100.

For high-value items, purchasing additional insurance is wise—it ensures you’re protected if something goes wrong. Remember, some shipping services already include insurance in their rates, so factor that in when comparing courier options.

Customs Declarations and Forms

When shipping internationally, you’ll need to include the proper customs documentation. These forms are often available online through your ecommerce platform, like Shopify, or at your local post office or shipping center.

Customs forms let officers in the destination country know what’s in your package, its value, and whether it’s a gift or merchandise.

Always check with your country’s postal service to confirm which forms are required. Complete them accurately and clearly to help ensure your package isn’t delayed or held up at customs.

Customs Declaration Information

For more details on customs declarations, required forms, and policies when shipping ecommerce orders, check the resources below:

USPS Customs Information
UPS
DHL Express
Canada Post Customs Information
UK Royal Mail Customs Information
Australia Post Customs Information

Once you’ve chosen the carriers you want to use, consider setting up business accounts. These accounts provide benefits like discounted rates, better expense tracking, and online tools to manage your shipping efficiently.

USPS, UPS, and DHL Express (US) / Canada Post (Canada): Sign up through Shopify Shipping to access preferred rates and discounts.
UK Royal Mail Online Business Account: Manage shipping expenses and invoices in one place, saving time and effort.
Australia Post Business Credit Account: Charge common services directly to your account for easier expense management.

Setting up these accounts can streamline your shipping workflow and help you save money while keeping your ecommerce operations organized.

Labeling Your Packages

Once you’ve finalized your presentation, packaging, return policy, carrier, and costs, it’s time to label your packages. Many new ecommerce entrepreneurs start by writing the ship-to and return addresses by hand. While this works at first, it can be time-consuming, tedious, and difficult to scale as your business grows.

Using Shopify Shipping—or similar ecommerce shipping tools—you can print and pay for multiple shipping labels directly. Labels can be printed on plain paper with any standard printer, or, to save even more time, you can upgrade to a thermal label printer and print directly on self-adhesive labels.

Using a Fulfillment Warehouse

Fulfillment centers can handle storage, packing, and shipping for you, automating much of your ecommerce logistics. When you work with a fulfillment partner, your inventory is stored in their warehouse. When an order comes in, the fulfillment center picks, packs, and ships it on your behalf.

Advantages of Using a Fulfillment Warehouse:

Cheaper shipping rates: Fulfillment centers ship large volumes for multiple vendors, giving them access to discounted rates. Many also integrate with major shipping carriers, giving you easier access to a wide range of shipping options.
Faster shipping times: By strategically selecting a fulfillment partner and warehouse location, you can store inventory closer to your customers and meet their delivery expectations more effectively.

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks:

Branding limitations: If your packaging and presentation are key parts of your brand experience, most fulfillment warehouses may not offer the level of customization you want.
Additional costs: While you may save on shipping rates, fulfillment warehouses typically charge pick-and-pack fees and storage fees—sometimes per order or monthly. Be sure to review these costs carefully and determine what works best for your order volume.

Best Rates, Right Away

With Shopify Shipping, North American businesses automatically gain access to pre-negotiated rates with top carriers like UPS, USPS, DHL Express, and Canada Post. Normally, you’d need separate accounts with each carrier and negotiate discounts yourself—often based on your past shipping volume.

These online store shipping rates give you flexibility. You can display exact shipping costs at checkout, passing savings directly to your customers. You can also use these rates with Shopify’s label printing, allowing you to print USPS, UPS, DHL Express, or Canada Post labels for each order. This saves trips to the post office, avoids juggling multiple websites, and eliminates the need to pay a third party for label printing.

Schedule Pickups When You Need Them

Getting a stack of orders is exciting—but now they need to get to your customers. Instead of dealing with traffic, long lines, or arranging a ride to the post office, you can schedule pickups for USPS, UPS, DHL Express, Sendle, and Canada Post shipments. This makes shipping faster, simpler, and more convenient, so you can focus on growing your business.

Shipping Is a Fundamental Part of Your Ecommerce Business

Here’s the bottom line: shipping products to customers is one of the most challenging aspects of running an online product-based business. Every business faces unique hurdles and must experiment to develop the most efficient ecommerce shipping solutions. Like many aspects of building your online store, it takes time and tweaking to find what works best.

Understanding all the variables—and continuously refining your approach—is essential for your business’s success. Even once you feel confident in your ecommerce shipping process, don’t let it become stagnant. Reevaluate your strategy every six months to ensure you’re delivering the best possible service and experience at the most competitive price for your customers.

Ecommerce Shipping FAQ

What factors should I consider in ecommerce shipping strategies?
When planning your ecommerce shipping strategy, consider delivery speed, shipping costs, and customer expectations. Offering multiple shipping options—including standard and expedited services—can improve customer satisfaction. Transparent tracking systems also help build trust and keep customers informed throughout the delivery process.

What is shipping and fulfillment?
Shipping and fulfillment is the process that gets your products into customers’ hands. Fulfillment covers the entire journey from when a customer places an order to when they receive it. Shipping is a part of fulfillment and specifically refers to the transit of the package from your storage location to the customer.

Does fulfillment include shipping?
Yes. Fulfillment encompasses everything from the moment a customer places an order to delivery at their door. Shipping is one component of the overall fulfillment process.

What are the six steps in the order fulfillment process?
The six steps are:

Receiving – Accepting and inspecting inventory.
Storing/Holding – Organizing and storing products safely.
Picking – Selecting items for customer orders.
Packing – Safely packaging items for shipment.
Shipping – Sending the order to the customer.
Returns Processing – Handling returns and exchanges.

What are the three functions of order fulfillment?
The three core functions are:

Receiving – Obtaining and managing inventory.
Processing – Handling customer orders and preparing them for shipment.
Delivering – Shipping the orders to customers.

How do I ship products from my house?
To ship from home, choose a carrier such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS. Package your product securely and weigh it to calculate shipping costs. Create a shipping label online, then schedule a pickup or drop off the package at a carrier location. Include tracking information for your customer, and consider insurance for valuable items to protect your shipment.

How to Ship Products to Customers: Complete Ecommerce Shipping Guide (2025)