Automation rules let you set order conditions and fulfillment actions that apply to a group of orders automatically. They're a great time saver for the repeatable, predictable parts of your fulfillment workflow.
To learn more, see the Automation Rules Overview. Below are the questions we hear most often.
What automation rules are available in Shippo?
With Shippo's automation rules, you can automatically assign:
- Package templates
- Carrier service levels
- Sender address
- Tags
Based on an order's:
- Item name
- Item SKU
- Total item quantity
- Order weight
- Shipping destination: domestic or international
- Shipping destination: state or province (U.S. and Canada)
- Shipping destination: ZIP code (U.S. and Canada)
How many automation rules can apply to an order?
Multiple rules can apply to an order, but only one of the same action will apply. For example, an order might have a package assigned through one rule and a carrier service assigned through a different rule, or both through the same rule.
What an order can't have is two of the same action, like two package templates. When that conflict comes up, see the next question for how Shippo decides which one wins.
In what order will my automation rules apply?
Automation rules process top to bottom, and you can reorder them anytime by clicking and dragging. Order matters most when an order meets the conditions for two rules with the same action but different selections, like applying package template A versus package template B. In that case, whichever rule is listed first in your Automations list is the one that applies.
How do I know if an automation rule has applied to an order?
When an automation rule applies to an order, Shippo notes the change at the top of that order's detail page.
When do my automation rules apply to orders?
Automation rules automatically apply to all new orders imported into Shippo, whether they sync from a connected store or come in through a CSV upload. Shippo checks each order to see if a rule should apply.
Note: Manual orders don't support automation rules. |
How do I apply a new automation rule to existing orders?
If you create a new rule and want it applied to existing orders, click Run automations on the Automations page (Settings > Automations).
What is the "Save as a rule" prompt I see after purchasing labels?
When you apply a package template to an order and Shippo finds other unfulfilled orders with the same item and quantity, we'll ask if you'd like to apply that template to those orders too. If you accept, we'll then offer to save the selection as an automation rule, so future orders with the same item get the same package template automatically. It's just a faster path to creating a rule; the result works the same as one you'd build manually from Settings > Automations.
I saved a rule from the "Save as a rule" prompt. Where can I find it?
Any rule created this way is saved to your Automations page (Settings > Automations). It's automatically named based on the item and package template, and you can rename it, edit its conditions, reorder it, or delete it just like any other rule.
Why don't I see the "Save as a rule" option on some orders?
The "Save as a rule" prompt only appears for orders with exactly one line item. If your order has multiple items, you can still use the bulk-apply recommendation to update matching orders, but the automation rule prompt won't appear. You can always create a rule manually from Settings > Automations for more complex scenarios. If an automation rule already exists for that item, the prompt also won't reappear.
To learn more about Shippo's automation rules, visit the Automation Rules Overview.