Parcelforce from ShipStation
Parcelforce from ShipStation offers domestic and international services to UK-based ShipStation API accounts shipping from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Irelan, Isle of Man, the Scottish Highlands, Islands, and Scilly Isles.
This guide provides developers with the details needed to build Parcelforce from ShipStation shipping capabilities into your ShipStation API workflows.
ShipStation API also allows you to connect your own existing Parcelforce Worldwide account and the requirements and service details are different than those for Parcelforce from ShipStation. For details about connecting and using your own Parcelforce Worldwide account with ShipStation API, see our Parcelforce World Guide.
Requirements
carrier_name: parcelforce_walleted
- A ShipStation API account based in the UK.
- ShipStation Carriers must be activated for the account and have a positive account balance to create labels. See our Using ShipStation Carriers page for details about activating in your account.
- All shipments must originate from an address in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Irelan, Isle of Man, the Scottish Highlands, Islands, or Scilly Isles.
- Both weight and dimensions are required for all shipments.
- Both a first and last name are required in both the Ship To and Ship From addresses.
- All shipments require a Ship To phone number.
Rates
Parcelforce from ShipStation supports rate shopping with ShipStation API.
Service Details
Available Parcelforce from ShipStation services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.
Parcel Weight limit for all services (domestic and international): ≤30KG
Max parcel dimensions:
- All services except Express 48 Large: 1.5m length and length + girth = ≤3m
- Express 48 Large: 2.5m length and length + girth = ≤5m
Domestic Services
| Service | API Code |
|---|---|
| Express AM | ExpAM |
| Express 24 | Exp24 |
| Express 48 | Exp48 |
| Express 24 Collection | parcelforce-walleted_exp_24_collection |
| Express 48 Collection | parcelforce-walleted_exp_48_collection |
| Express 48 Large Collection | parcelforce-walleted_exp_48_large_collection |
International Services
| Service | API Code |
|---|---|
| Euro Economy | EuropHome |
Shipping to Northern Ireland
Parcelforce intends to support all movement types for shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, in accordance with the Windsor Framework.
The data requirements for each movement type may vary. We will provide more details in this section as soon as they are available.
Return Services
Parcelforce from ShipStation supports return labels for domestic parcels using either Express 24 or Express 48 services. Returns must be dropped off at a local PO.
Review the Return Shipping Labels page for details on creating return labels with ShipStation API.
Packages
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not include specific carrier package types. You can use the generic package type or custom package types.
Adding Shipment Insurance
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support adding carrier insurance to shipments created in ShipStation API. Parcelforce does incude default coverage up to £100/£200. See Inclusive compensation for a breakdown of amount by service.
Label Support
- Label sizes: 4" x 6"
- Label formats: PDF
Label Reference Fields
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support adding custom label messages. The order number is mapped to a label reference field by default.
Multi-Package Labels
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not currently support multi-package shipments.
Label Branding
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support label branding.
Voiding Labels
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support voiding labels with ShipStation API.
You may request reimbursement for unused labels by submitting a claim to ShipStation with the following information:
- Nature of the claim (unused postage, label no longer needed)
- Tracking # or package identifier
- Order # (if applicable)
- Specific courier and service used to create the label
- Ship date used to create the label
- Claim amount (equal to the carrier fee for the shipping label)
- Contact email address
- Contact phone number
Paperless Labels
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support paperless labels.
Delivery Confirmation
All shipments require a signature upon delivery unless the No Signature Required (NSR) option has been applied to the shipment.
| Confirmation Type | API Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| No signature required | none | No confirmation requested. When this option is selected, a “safe place” must also be selected so the carrier knows where it is safe to leave the package if no one is available to claim it upon delivery. |
| Adult signature required | adult_signature | Signature is required for the shipment to be delivered. |
See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.
Advanced Options
Parcelforce from ShipStation supports certain advanced options, which you can add to the shipment object when creating a shipment or label.
| Option | Type | Default Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
additional_handling | boolean | null | Indicates the package requires special handling. |
NotificationsPhone | string | null | The carrier will send SMS tracking notifications if phone number is present. |
NotificationsEmail | string | null | The carrier will send email tracking notifications if email address is present. |
saturday_delivery | boolean | false | Indicates that the carrier should charge for delivery on Saturday for services that do not otherwise include saturday delivery. Only valid for certain services. |
To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information about a carrier's advanced options, use the list carrier options call.
Manifests
Parcelforce from ShipStation shipments do not require manifesting. Parcelforce does run a "clean sweep" process automatically at 2:00 am to transfer all shipments with a printed status into an archive. Those shipments with a status of “Allocated” and “No Label Printed” are then canceled.
Scheduling Pickups
Parcelforce from ShipStation does not support scheduling pickups. Express and Euro Economy services are drop-off only. Collection services are automatically scheduled for pickup on the next business day.
Service Points (PUDO)
Parcelforce from ShipStation Express and Euro Economy services are all Pickup/Dropoff (PUDO) services.
See our Intro to Service Points for more details about how to use service points with ShipStation API.
Tracking
Parcelforce from ShipStation supports receiving tracking updates. Review our Track a Package guides for details on tracking with the ShipStation API.