How to Upload Orders to Shippo via CSV

CSV upload allows users to import a large number of orders to Shippo to create shipping labels and is especially useful if you have an e-commerce store that Shippo does not support. In this article we'll cover some of the most common errors users run into with CSV's, as well as a step-by-step guide on uploading a CSV. 

Common Errors 

If you've uploaded CSV files in the past, or if you've just uploaded a file and it was unsuccessful, there's a likely culprit that's easy to fix. Here's a few helpful reminders to get you up and running!

• Correctly formatted fields are essential when uploading a CSV. Missing or incorrect fields are the most common issues related to an unsuccessful upload. See below for a list of Required, Recommended & Optional fields
• Before uploading your CSV, ensure the 8 required fields are filled in the correct format
• Ensure that your header row does not have any blank spaces after the title, such as "Orders  " rather than "Orders" - Trailing spaces will cause the file to not upload.

Upload Orders via CSV

To Upload your orders to Shippo via CSV file:

• Create your CSV file.
  • This can be done either in Google Sheets or in Excel. See below for a list of Required, Recommended & Optional fields.
• Click Upload CSV at the top right of the Orders Page.
• Drag your CSV file or click Select File to choose your CSV for upload.
• Assign the appropriate Shippo categories to the CSV columns, then click Upload:

Orders will then be listed on the Orders Page

• Once you’ve uploaded your file, you’ll receive a summary message via email identifying how many of your orders were successfully and unsuccessfully uploaded. Error message(s) are included outlining any errors in the file.
• If there are errors, please edit your CSV and re-upload the orders that included errors.
• You will also have the option of saving the field mappings as a template for future CSV uploads. This makes all subsequent uploads a streamlined process. 

If you would like a single order with multiple line items, you would need to duplicate the row and change the item-specific information. Check out this sample with one order containing two items.

Required, Recommended, and Optional Fields

It is crucial that your CSV sheet use the required fields for your file to be uploaded correctly. To help save you time and frustration, we recommend using this Orders CSV Template. 

Required Fields:

1. • Recipient name 
   • Street line 1
   • Postal/Zip code: For the few countries that don't have zip codes, such as Hong Kong and Ireland, import a dummy code, e.g. 00000.
   • City
   • State: U.S. domestic shipments require a two-letter state code. See here for a complete listing of state abbreviations in the US.
   • Country: The country code must be a 2-character abbreviation. See here for a list.
   • Recipient email: If you don’t have your customer’s email, enter your own email. Entering "N/A" will cause an error. 
   • Phone number: Please note this is only required if you are shipping internationally via FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority Mail Express. If you don't know the customer's phone number, enter your own.

Recommended Fields:

1. • State: Some countries other than the U.S. require state information. See here for details.
   • Order number: Order numbers help you identify each order; you can display them on the packing slips and shipping labels (45-character limit).
   • Total order weight and total order weight unit: Importing these two values will pre-fill the package weight and allow for bulk label creation with differing weights. The weight value must be a number, and the unit needs to be “oz,” “g,” “lb,” or “kg.”
   • Order date: The format must be YYYY-MM-DD, e.g. If you want December 1, 2019, as the creation date for an order, you would input: 2019-12-01

Optional fields:

1. • Company name
   • Street line 2
   • Street number: This is only required for DHL Germany shipments. DHL Germany requires the house number (or apartment number) to be separated from the street name. For all other cases, it can be part of Street line 1.
   • Total order price & Order currency: Price must be given as a number, currency as the three-character abbreviation, e.g. USD.
   • Item title
   • Item Quantity
   • SKU Number
   • Price per item & Item price currency: Same as Order price and Order currency.
   • Weight per item & Weight unit: These can be used as substitutes (or in addition) to the Total order weight. If both of these are included, then the weight fields will be pre-filled. Please note that the same format restrictions apply to the total order weight.