How can I add SKU or select specific packaging on shipping labels?

Payments + Shipping & Fulfilment

Topic summary

A merchant wants to add SKU information or select specific packaging types directly on USPS shipping labels generated through Shopify, noting that other shipping platforms offer similar customization.

Current Limitations:

  • Shopify Shipping doesn’t support adding SKUs or custom product details to domestic carrier labels
  • Label customization is restricted by carrier requirements (USPS, UPS, etc.)
  • Weight displays round to pounds rather than showing detailed ounces

Suggested Workarounds:

  • Use packing slips to include SKU and product details (printable via Settings → Shipping and delivery)
  • Explore third-party shipping apps that allow packaging rules per product and can add internal notes to label margins
  • Implement order tagging by SKU or packaging type using Shopify Flow for warehouse staff guidance

Status: The issue remains unresolved, with the original poster expressing frustration about printing additional paper for packing slips and considering leaving Shopify for platforms offering this functionality. Another user has also requested this feature be added.

Summarized with AI on October 23. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I understand that shipping labels are formatted by the carriers. I have seen other shipping sites put small amounts of info on their USPS approved labels. How do I get a SKU on the label? or how do I select a specific packaging per a specific product?

2

Hello @harfordhandyman ,

Typically, domestic carriers do not provide the capability to include SKU and product details on their shipment labels. However, for international shipments, the commercial invoice will include the necessary product details.

To address this, you can utilize packing slips.

While Shopify shipping does not offer the specific feature to select a package per product, you can still choose the appropriate packaging when generating the shipment.

3

This is a cheap copout answer. Other USPS shipping companies have some info
similar to what I am asking on there labels. So your answer is wrong, also
you have an “advertisement” at the bottom of your label, so your anser is
borderline insulting. You can have an accurate weight (yours rounds to lbs,
instead of the detailed ounces) you can do this. Think about your answer
you are encouraging me to print more paper just so we can know what goes
into the box associated with that shipping label, WHAT A WASTE

Please help
Since I have seen and know that what I am asking for can be done. I will
leave shopify to get it, but I’d rather stay.

4

Please add this feature Shopify :slight_smile: The sku \ item and order number is needed on the bottom of each shipping label

5

Hey @harfordhandyman,

You’re right, Shopify doesn’t let you customize carrier labels much. USPS, UPS, and others only allow certain fields, so adding a SKU directly to the label isn’t possible through Shopify Shipping. Here are a few workarounds you might take a look:

  • Packing slips: Add SKUs there instead. You can print a packing slip with every order (Settings → Shipping and delivery → Packing slips) and include whatever product details you want.

  • Third-party shipping apps: There are multiple apps on Shopify that let you define packaging rules per product (like “Product X always ships in Box A”) and can add internal notes like SKUs to the label margin or secondary print area.

  • Automation: If you’re using Shopify Flow or a fulfillment app, you can tag orders by SKU or packaging type so your staff knows what box to grab.

Once shipped, you can connect a tracking app like ParcelPanel Order Tracking to automatically sync the label info and show customers clear tracking updates on a branded “Track My Order” page.

Hope this helps a bit! If it does, feel free to mark it as a solution so others can find it too :slightly_smiling_face: