Ecommerce businesses know that an order being placed is just the beginning in the customer journey. In an ideal world, the customer would receive the "package shipped" notification the same day, and then "delivered" the next. But fulfillment isn't always so straightforward. Whether shipping times stretch too long, or tracking information is unclear, customer disappointment doesn’t just hurt your brand image. It can cost you sales, repeat business, and loyal customers.

That’s why efficient shipping operations are essential to ecommerce businesses. Manual shipping processes may work early on, but automation technologies can make a significant impact as your daily number of orders increase.

Using software solutions that offer shipping automation tools are the smart and efficient way to ship products—and keep customers coming. Below, learn how automations can transform warehouse efficiency by generating shipping labels, tracking shipments, selecting the best carriers, updating inventory records, managing package dimensions and more.

What Are Shipping Automations?

Shipping automations are rule-based processes that streamline and simplify order fulfillment by reducing the need for manual decision-making. Instead of having staff evaluate each order individually, automation tools apply predefined logic to handle repetitive shipping tasks behind the scenes—improving speed, accuracy, and scalability.

Examples of shipping automations include:

• Automatically selecting the most cost-effective carrier or service level based on destination, package size, and inventory location
• Bulk-printing shipping labels to accelerate fulfillment and reduce downtime in the packing station
• Applying custom shipping presets according to criteria like order weight, value, customer location, or SKU type
• Auto-generating tracking numbers and sending real-time updates to customers through email or SMS
• Setting international incoterms automatically to simplify global compliance and customs documentation

Rather than having staff manually handle each order, automated shipping processes handle the decision-making behind the scenes, based on logic you define. This not only reduces human error, but also boosts efficiency, shortens fulfillment times, and allows your team to repurpose resources toward more strategic, revenue-generating activities.

Why Automated Shipping Matters (Especially as You Scale)

Whether you're fulfilling from a single warehouse or coordinating with multiple 3PLs, shipping automation becomes essential as your ecommerce business grows. Here’s why:

1. Time Savings In Your Fulfillment Process That Add Up

Automating tasks like label printing, rate selection, and packing slip generation can cut fulfillment time by 70% or more, freeing your team for revenue-generating activities.

2. Reduced Human Error, Happier Customers

Automation minimizes human error in selecting shipping services, filling customs forms, and entering tracking information, leading to fewer reships, fewer complaints, and higher customer satisfaction.

3. Consistency Across Ecommerce Platforms and Warehouses

Automations apply uniformly across ecommerce platforms and warehouses, whether orders come from Shopify, Amazon, or Walmart, keeping your shipping process consistent and efficient.

4. Fully Automated Carrier Selection

Shipping automation can select the best carrier and service level based on the package size, weight, shipping speed, and destination, helping you save money without compromising delivery expectations.

5. Scalability Without Complexity

As your order volume grows, automation handles the complexity—streamlining your fulfillment process, maintaining inventory accuracy, and improving output without adding overhead.

Common Use Cases for Ecommerce Brands

Shipping automation software can adapt to your unique fulfillment process, no matter your ecommerce business type. Here are a few real-world applications:

• Subscription Box Services: Automate recurring label generation and order fulfillment every billing cycle—saving time and improving efficiency.
• Apparel Brands: Apply custom packing rules for bundles vs. single items to ensure accurate shipping and better customer satisfaction.
• Health & Wellness DTC: Auto-select cold chain shipping solutions, add shipping insurance, or trigger signature confirmation for high-value or sensitive orders—boosting order accuracy and reducing risk.
• 3PLs and Wholesale Operations: Use advanced automation rules to route orders to the optimal warehouse based on inventory levels, region, or stock availability, ensuring fast, cost-effective fulfillment.

How to Get Started with Shipping Automation Technology

You don’t need to rebuild your entire tech stack to start seeing the benefits of shipping automation. Here’s a simple roadmap to improve your shipping step by step:

• Audit Your Shipping Workflow: Identify repetitive tasks, like choosing carriers, printing shipping labels, or updating inventory, that can be automated to save time and reduce errors.
• Choose the Right Shipping Software: Look for shipping automation software that integrates with your current ecommerce platform, marketplaces, warehouse systems, and fulfillment services for seamless operations.
• Build Basic Automation Rules: Start with simple triggers like order weight, destination, or shipping method to automate label selection, packaging, or tracking information updates.
• Test, Monitor, and Optimize: Track and measure your shipping process performance, refine your automation rules, and scale your setup as your order volume and business grow.

What Shipping Automation Looks Like with VESYL

At VESYL, our powerful shipping automations are purpose-built to help ecommerce stores streamline fulfillment, reduce manual labor, and boost shipping efficiency across the board. By combining smart shipping logic with warehouse automation and real-time inventory management, VESYL enables a more scalable, error-free fulfillment process.

With VESYL, you can:

• Automatically rate shop the most cost-effective shipping service across multiple carriers based on shipment dimensions, weight, delivery time, and destination
• Trigger custom workflows based on SKU, order type, warehouse location, or inventory levels—ideal for managing multi-channel, 3PL, or distributed warehouse operations
• Set international Incoterms automatically when generating labels, ensuring compliance and minimizing cross-border delays
• Sync seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WarehouseOS, connecting your shipping and inventory management systems for end-to-end fulfillment visibility

A Customer Satisfaction Story: Saranoni Luxury Blankets

After implementing VESYL’s shipping automations, Saranoni Luxury Blankets cut warehouse fulfillment time by over 50% and significantly reduced shipping costs by automatically assigning shipments to the optimal carrier with zero manual input.

With automatic carrier selection and zero manual input, their team was able to ship faster, more affordably, and with fewer errors.

This success story highlights the power of VESYL’s shipping software as a full-stack automation platform. By integrating intelligent workflows, real-time inventory data, and warehouse logic, VESYL enables ecommerce brands like Saranoni to transform fulfillment from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.

Whether you're shipping from one location or juggling a complex supply chain, VESYL gives you the tools to save time, cut costs, and scale your ecommerce operations with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Automations in Ecommerce Shipping

For any growing ecommerce business, shipping automations are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re a must-have. Automating tasks like carrier selection, label creation, and package routing doesn’t just reduce errors—it improves accuracy, speeds up fulfillment, and frees your team to focus on what really drives growth.

In a market where speed, precision, and scalability define success, automated shipping isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about delivering the kind of experience your customers expect and your brand deserves.

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Ready to streamline your fulfillment? Learn what VESYL can do for your ecommerce store today!

As your ecommerce store grows, shipping can quickly switch from a back-office task to a major operational challenge. More orders mean more labels, more tracking requests, and higher customer expectations. This is when your manual processes can become a bottleneck as you scale.

That’s where ecommerce shipping software comes in. It helps streamline fulfillment, reduce shipping costs, and scale your operations efficiently. However, not all platforms are built the same. In this guide, we’ll break down the key features to look for and how to find the right fit for your growing ecommerce business.

Why Growing Ecommerce Businesses Need Smarter Shipping Tools

As your ecommerce business grows, so does the complexity of your shipping process. If you’re a growing business trying to fulfill more orders across multiple sales platforms, it might be time to upgrade. Here are some common signs that it's time:

• You’re spending hours manually printing shipping labels instead of using a shipping app that can automate label creation with just a few clicks
• You're overpaying on shipping costs because you can’t easily compare and find the best shipping rates
• Your team is overwhelmed with tracking and delivery questions, and it’s hard to keep your customers informed
• You want to offer international shipping, but completing customs forms and keeping up with international regulations is too time consuming
• You’re juggling orders from multiple sales channels like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay, and struggling to fulfill orders faster

The right shipping software helps ecommerce businesses save money, time and scale with fewer resources.

Key Features to Look For in Ecommerce Shipping Software

Not every shipping app is built the same. For growing ecommerce businesses, the right shipping software should streamline your shipping process, reduce shipping costs, and scale with your growth. Here are the top features to prioritize:

1. Offer Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping

Compare real-time shipping rates across carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to get the best rate for every shipment, whether you're prioritizing speed or savings. An ideal shipping software should let you compare shipping services (like Ground vs. 2-Day) and offer discounted rates on shipping labels for instant savings.

2. Enable Batch Label Printing

Save time by printing shipping labels in bulk for dozens—or even hundreds—of orders. Look for features like batch editing, automations, and a clean, intuitive dashboard to manage label generation, packing slips, and more with ease. This is especially helpful when you're handling more orders with fewer resources.

3. Support Shipping Automations

Speed up fulfillment and reduce manual work with shipping automations. Apply rules and tags based on shipping methods, order weight, sales channels, destination and more. For example, automatically assign USPS Priority Mail shipping labels for domestic packages under 1 lb. With smart automation rules, you’ll minimize errors, fulfill orders faster and increase output without increasing headcount.

4. Simplify International Shipping

Planning to ship globally? Look for tools that simplify the shipping process for international orders with easy-to-fill customs forms, DDP/DDU options, and access to international services. Comparing shipping rates globally helps you find the most cost-effective options, while automated workflows eliminate the groundwork. In today's online shopping landscape, fast, affordable and reliable delivery times are crucial to boosting the customer experience across borders.

5. Integrate with Your Sales Channels

Wherever you sell, whether it's on one platform or multiple, great shipping software should sync easily with multiple online stores like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay. Real-time order syncing helps you import orders, manage inventory levels, and ship orders without delays. Integrated systems also help retailers avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smooth.

6. Scale with Your Growth

As your business expands, so should your shipping strategy. Your platform should support multiple warehouses, new sales channels and partners, and increasing volumes without adding complexity. Whether you're a startup or an established amazon seller, your shipping app should help you scale efficiently—while continuing to save money and time.

Top Ecommerce Shipping Software Options for Growing Stores

Here are some of the top contenders worth considering:

VESYL is built for fast-growing ecommerce businesses scaling across multiple sales channels. It simplifies fulfillment with features like batch shipping, multi-carrier rate shopping, advanced shipping automations, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and Amazon Seller Central. With built-in tools for shipping internationally, returns, and order management, VESYL helps you save time, reduce shipping costs, and deliver a better customer experience. Plus, their responsive support team is just a call away when you need help. You can start with a free plan that includes essential features, perfect for getting started without the commitment.

ShipStation is a popular shipping solution for multi-channel sellers with large volumes and higher budgets. It offers robust integrations with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, along with features such as batch label printing, automation rules, and inventory management. The flexible interface makes it easy to manage complex shipping workflows across multiple sales channels. However, the platform can become expensive at higher tiers, and many users report that customer support can be slow or difficult to reach, something to consider if responsive service is a priority.

Easyship is a good option for ecommerce brands focused on international shipping. It supports customs forms, international rate comparisons, and global carriers. However, its automation features may be limited for high-volume sellers, and some users report issues with billing transparency and slow customer support.

Pirate Ship is a budget-friendly option for small businesses with simple shipping needs. It offers free access to USPS commercial rates and an easy-to-use interface. However, it lacks multi-carrier support, advanced automation, and integrations that growing ecommerce stores typically require to scale efficiently.

How to Choose the Right Shipping Software for Your Store

The right shipping solution needs to align with your business needs, volume, and growth plans. As you compare options, ask yourself the following:

• What’s my monthly shipping volume? Some platforms price based on order count or label generation. Choose one that offers scalable pricing and can handle higher volumes without slowing you down.
• Which carriers do I rely on? Make sure your most-used shipping carriers (like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL) are supported and you can tap into discounted rates. If you have pre-negotiated rates, check that you can easily connect them to the software.
• Do I ship internationally? Look for built-in support for customs forms and international shipping rate comparisons to simplify cross-border shipping.
• What features will save me the most time and increase my output? Tools like shipping automation, batch shipping, instant rate shopping, and auto-generated packing slips help streamline your shipping process and get more packages out the door—fast.
• Does it integrate with my existing platforms and tech? Look for seamless integrations with Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, eBay, and other sales channels, as well as your warehouse tech, post-purchase tools, or inventory systems.
• Is the pricing structure clear? Look for transparent and clear pricing—and be cautious of per-label fees, carrier markups, or unexpected shipping costs that can add up quickly.
• How responsive is the customer support team? Reliable support can make a huge difference—especially during high-volume periods. Look for a provider with a strong reputation for service and an easy to reach team for live help when you need it.

Why VESYL is a Smart Choice for Growing Stores

VESYL is purpose-built for ecommerce businesses that have outgrown basic shipping tools and need a platform that can scale with them. With VESYL, you get a robust, all-in-one shipping solution designed to streamline fulfillment, boost efficiency, and cut costs, without the hassle of carrier contracts or complex setup.

Key benefits include:

• A one-of-a-kind Rate Shop that compares rates and service levels in real time to ensure you always get the best shipping rate
• Batch label printing for faster, more efficient order processing
• Powerful automation rules to reduce manual work and eliminate costly errors
• Seamless integrations with major sales channels like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay
• Built-in tools for returns, tracking, and international shipping
• Access to discounted carrier rates with top providers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx

But VESYL offers much more than just shipping:

• Full order, shipping, and inventory management in one easy-to-use platform
• An open, developer-friendly API for custom workflows and system integrations
• Expert support from a team with over 72 years of collective industry experience
• Deep fulfillment expertise—our team has fine-tuned every step of the shipping process to help you fulfill orders faster, save money, and scale

Whether you're shipping hundreds or thousands of orders, VESYL is the shipping software built to grow with you, backed by real people who understand the challenges of ecommerce logistics.

Create your free VESYL account, access our essential features and start shipping for less today!

Final Thoughts

The right ecommerce shipping software should make your life easier, not harder. For growing stores, it’s about more than just printing labels, it’s about building a foundation to scale. Whether you’re shipping 100 or 10,000 orders a month, investing in the right tool now can reduce time, labor, money, and headaches later.

As the festive season kicks into gear, the holiday hustle is officially underway. To make sure your packages arrive on time and to keep your customers happy, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the UPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. UPS Domestic Shipments

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25th.

UPS Domestic Shipments

• UPS® Ground - Check latest schedule
• UPS 3 Day Select® - December 19th
• UPS 2nd Day Air® - December 20th
• UPS Next Day Air® - December 23rd

UPS International Shipments

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. 

US to Canada

• UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
• UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 20th
• UPS Worldwide Express® - December 23rd

US to Mexico

• UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
• UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 19th
• UPS Worldwide Express® - December 20th

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly through the chat box on our website or at hello@VESYL.com.

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Click here for the USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines.

With Black Friday and the holiday season just around the corner, businesses can expect a surge of shoppers eager to get in the gifting spirit and take advantage of seasonal deals. This influx brings a great opportunity for increased sales, but it also comes with the complexities of increased shipping demands.

To keep up with the growing volume of orders, carriers like USPS have announced temporary price adjustments for the 2024 peak holiday season. Effective from October 6, 2024, through January 19, 2025, these rate changes will impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage shipments.

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What Are Peak Season Surcharges?

These holiday surcharges help USPS cover additional costs associated with labor, fuel, and supplies during the peak shipping months to ensure they can maintain service standards while managing higher volumes. Staying informed about these changes is key to plan accordingly and maintain a seamless delivery experience for customers, so we’ve packaged them up for you below.

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Commercial Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

• $0.30 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for 26-70 lbs. 

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

• $0.70 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

• $0.35 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $5.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

• $1.00 increase for 0-3 lbs. 
• $1.50 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for 26-70 lbs

Priority Mail Express: Zone 5-9

$1.75 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$3.95 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$7.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$13.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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Retail Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

$0.40 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$0.55 increase for 4-10 lbs

$0.95 increase for 11-25 lbs. 

$4.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

$0.90 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$8.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

$0.50 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$5.85 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

$1.10 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.90 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$9.75 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 5-9

$2.00 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$4.85 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$9.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$16.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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How Can Businesses Still Save On Shipping?

Despite the USPS price increases during the holiday season, merchants still have opportunities to save on shipping costs. By using VESYL, brands can shop the best-in-class rates across multiple carriers, streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and minimize errors through automation, further maximizing efficiency and cutting down unnecessary expenses. By streamlining shipping operations, merchants can offset the impact of seasonal surcharges while still delivering an exceptional customer experience during the busiest time of the year.

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Schedule a quick 15-minute call with us and we’ll show you how!