How rates and labels work
Every shipment is built from a ship-from, a package, a ship-to and a service. Browse Rates quotes; Create + Print Label buys.
Every shipment is built from four pieces that feed the carrier when you buy the label: a ship-from location, a package, a ship-to address and a service.
What goes into a shipment?
- Ship From — the warehouse the parcel leaves from. It comes from your carrier's default location and the order's stock.
- Package — the box or envelope, its weight and its dimensions. Carriers price on weight and size.
- Ship To — the validated recipient address.
- Service — the carrier service level such as FedEx Ground, picked after you shop rates.
What's the difference between shopping and buying?
- Browse Rates asks every active carrier for a live quote against your package and addresses. Nothing is charged.
- Create + Print Label commits the selected rate, buys the label with the carrier and returns a tracking number.
Tip. No real carrier account yet? Add the built-in Test carrier in Settings and every label call returns a mock tracking number, so you can rehearse the whole flow safely.
Common questions
Does Browse Rates charge me anything?
No. Rate shopping only requests quotes. The only step that spends money is Create + Print Label, and even that's free with the Test carrier.
Why doesn't the Configure Shipment panel show?
The order isn't paid. You'll see This Order is Awaiting Payment with a Mark as Paid button instead. Pay it first to unlock rates and labels.
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