BigCommerce Shipping Integration: Setup & Optimization Guide

BigCommerce offers robust shipping features for growing businesses. Here's how to configure shipping for optimal operations and customer experience.

BigCommerce Shipping Features

Native Capabilities

Feature	Availability
Real-time rates	All plans
Shipping zones	All plans
Carrier accounts	All plans
Label printing	Plus plan+
Shipping rules	Enterprise

Supported Carriers

Native integrations:

USPS
UPS
FedEx
USPS via Stamps.com
Canada Post
Royal Mail
Australia Post

Rate Types

Shipping Rate Options

Type	Description	Best For
Free shipping	No charge	Promotions, thresholds
Flat rate	Fixed cost	Simplicity
By weight	Per lb rate	Heavy products
By value	Percent of order	Variable pricing
Real-time	Carrier calculated	Accuracy

Configuring Real-Time Rates

Settings → Shipping

Add carrier account

Enable services

Configure markups (optional)

Test at checkout

Shipping Zones

Zone Strategy

Zone	Coverage	Rate Type
Local	Near warehouse	Free/low flat
Domestic	National	Real-time
Canada	Neighbor	Real-time
International	Global	Real-time + markup

Zone-Specific Rules

Configure per zone:

Available carriers
Handling fees
Free shipping thresholds
Restrictions

Carrier Integration

Connecting Carrier Accounts

Obtain carrier credentials
Settings → Shipping → Real-Time Quotes
Enter account information
Enable desired services
Configure options

UPS Setup

Required information:

UPS Account Number
Access License Number
User ID and Password
Origin address

FedEx Setup

Required information:

FedEx Account Number
Meter Number
Key and Password
Origin address

Third-Party Shipping Apps

atoship BigCommerce App

Benefits:

Better discounts: Up to 89% off

All carriers: One interface

Batch labels: High-volume processing

Rate shopping: Best rate per order

Order sync: Automatic import

ShipperHQ

Advanced features:

Multi-origin shipping
Dimensional packing
Complex rules
LTL freight

ShipStation

Features:

Multi-channel
Automation rules
Batch processing
Inventory sync

Shipping Rules

Rule Types (Enterprise)

Rule	Example Use
Free shipping	Over $100 orders
Surcharge	Heavy items
Restrict	Hazmat to PO Box
Modify	Change handling time

Example Rules

Free Shipping Rule:

Condition: Cart total > $100
Action: Free shipping option
Priority: Applied first

Oversize Surcharge:

Condition: Product has "Oversize" tag
Action: Add $15 handling fee
Priority: Applied to matching items

Multi-Location Fulfillment

Inventory Locations

BigCommerce supports:

Multiple warehouses
Drop shipping
Store pickup

Location-Based Shipping

Scenario	Configuration
Nearest warehouse	Route by zip code
Specific products	Assign to location
Backup location	Overflow handling

Checkout Optimization

Shipping at Checkout

Element	Best Practice
Estimate timing	Show "arrives by" dates
Option clarity	Clear service names
Price transparency	No surprise fees
Speed variety	Economy to express

Reducing Abandonment

Issue	Solution
High costs	Free shipping threshold
Limited options	More carrier services
Slow shipping	Expedited options
Unclear timing	Delivery date estimates

Label Printing

BigCommerce Shipping (Plus+)

Native label printing:

USPS, UPS, FedEx labels
Discounted rates
Tracking upload
Order status update

Using atoship

Install app from BigCommerce marketplace

Connect your store

Orders sync automatically

Generate labels with best rates

Tracking syncs back to orders

Fulfillment Workflow

Standard Process

New order → Payment verified
    ↓
Pick items from inventory
    ↓
Pack according to standards
    ↓
Generate shipping label
    ↓
Apply label and ship
    ↓
Tracking uploaded
    ↓
Customer notification sent
    ↓
Order marked shipped

Batch Processing

For high volume:

Filter orders by status

Select multiple orders

Batch generate labels

Print all at once

Sort by carrier

Schedule pickups

International Shipping

Configuration

Setting	Consideration
Countries enabled	Where you'll ship
Duties handling	DDU vs DDP
Customs info	Product HS codes
Documentation	Commercial invoices

Landed Cost

Options:

Show duties at checkout
Collect at delivery (DDU)
Prepay duties (DDP)

Reporting and Analytics

Key Metrics

Metric	Importance
Shipping cost %	Margin impact
Carrier performance	Reliability
Zone distribution	Pricing optimization
Service mix	Speed preferences

Using Data

Analyze to:

Negotiate carrier rates
Optimize zone pricing
Identify problem areas
Forecast costs

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue	Solution
Rates not showing	Check carrier credentials
Rates too high	Verify weights/dimensions
Specific carrier missing	Enable in settings
Label errors	Check origin address

Testing Rates

Always test:

Different addresses
Various weights
All zones
Edge cases

atoship BigCommerce Integration

Optimize your shipping:

Multi-carrier rates: Compare all options

Best discounts: Up to 89% off

Order automation: Sync and process

Batch fulfillment: Handle volume

Analytics: Shipping cost insights

Conclusion

BigCommerce shipping configuration enables real-time rates, multi-carrier options, and efficient fulfillment. Use atoship to access the best carrier discounts, streamline label generation, and optimize your shipping operations for growth.