Shopify automated shipping

[AlexanderWeb]

I created an e-commerce app using the Storefront API from Shopify and we are running some test orders with real payment to understand the shipping side of it.

My understanding that the shipment can be done in 2 ways:

1) we print our own labels and handle the shipping

2) we automate the  process so that a carrier can come and pick up the package and take it from there.

As for the second how does it work?

When the customer checks out the order how is a carrier assigned (DPD, or whatever option) to deliver the order, do I need an extra app to download to take care of that? 

Considering that we will be shipping only in the UK is there a free app that can help with the second option or one that doesn't charge a fortune?

The ultimate goal for me is that a customer orders a product online and the shipping is handled by a third party, I don't want to print labels or go to a post office and do it myself. I would like to automate as much as possible. Can this be done with my own productS?

Thank you

[JoesIdeas]

Different carriers have different possibilities. I would contact the carriers in your area and ask what options they have available.

[DavidNZSSI · Accepted solution]

Hey Alexander! You've got a few options here, each with their own upsides and downsides.

Depending on your location and intended delivery destinations, you can investigate the best carriers and get an idea of cost and coverage. Many carriers now have fairly robust online systems that make it easy to print labels and book pickups etc. Typically, you'll sign up for a carrier (whether paying by credit card for shipping or going "on account"). At this point, you can simply integrate the carrier with Shopify and assign orders. Easy!

For automation, your best option is to use shipping automation software like Starshipit. This is basically a platform which you plug different carriers into, at which point you can set up automations to assign orders to carriers based on factors like price, weight, destination etc.

Happy to answer any other questions and hope this helps.