BigCommerce ShipStation Integration Guide

Overview

BigCommerce and ShipStation work together to streamline your fulfillment workflow. When you connect the two platforms, orders placed in BigCommerce automatically flow into ShipStation, where you can pick, pack, and ship them using your preferred carriers. This eliminates manual data entry, reduces shipping errors, and gives your team a single dashboard to manage all orders—whether you’re fulfilling from one warehouse or multiple locations.

The integration is particularly valuable if you’re scaling your ecommerce business and need to handle growing order volumes without adding headcount to your operations team. ShipStation’s carrier integrations (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others) combined with BigCommerce’s order data create a seamless fulfillment pipeline.

How the Integration Works

• Automatic Order Sync: When a customer places an order in BigCommerce, the order details—including customer name, address, items, quantities, and totals—automatically push to ShipStation within minutes. No manual importing or CSV uploads required.
• Carrier Selection & Shipping Labels: Your team uses ShipStation’s interface to select the best carrier and service level for each order, print shipping labels, and generate tracking numbers all in one place. ShipStation negotiates discounted rates with major carriers, often saving 40% or more on shipping costs.
• Tracking Updates Back to BigCommerce: Once you generate a shipping label in ShipStation, the tracking number automatically syncs back to BigCommerce, and your customer receives a notification with their tracking link.
• Multi-Channel Support: If you sell on other channels (Amazon, eBay, Etsy), ShipStation consolidates all orders into one workspace, so your fulfillment team doesn’t jump between platforms.
• Inventory Visibility: ShipStation can monitor inventory levels across your BigCommerce store and alert you when stock runs low, helping prevent overselling and backorder issues.

Key Features & Capabilities

• Batch Order Processing: Select multiple orders at once, apply the same shipping service, and print labels in bulk—cutting fulfillment time from hours to minutes.
• Discounted Shipping Rates: ShipStation’s negotiated carrier rates typically undercut what you’d pay buying postage directly, with savings compounding as order volume grows.
• Automation Rules: Set rules to automatically assign orders to specific warehouses, apply default packaging weights, or flag orders requiring special handling—reducing manual touchpoints.
• Returns Management: Generate return labels and track returned items back into your inventory, closing the loop on customer refunds without leaving ShipStation.
• Branded Packing Slips & Invoices: Customize packing slips with your logo and messaging, creating a more professional unboxing experience that reinforces your brand.
• Real-Time Reporting: Track key metrics like average shipping cost per order, carrier performance, and fulfillment times to identify bottlenecks and optimize your process.

Setup Difficulty

Easy (5–10 minutes)

Connecting BigCommerce to ShipStation requires no coding. You’ll authorize the integration through BigCommerce’s app marketplace, grant ShipStation permission to read your orders, and map any custom fields if needed. Most teams are live and processing orders within the same day. The hardest part is usually configuring your carrier accounts in ShipStation if you don’t already have them set up.

Prerequisites & Requirements

• Active BigCommerce store (any plan: Standard, Plus, or Pro)
• ShipStation account (free trial available; paid plans start at $9.99/month)
• At least one carrier account (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) or ShipStation’s built-in USPS integration
• Admin access to both platforms to authorize the connection

Alternatives & Workarounds

If the native BigCommerce–ShipStation integration doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider these options:

• Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat): These automation platforms can connect BigCommerce to ShipStation or other shipping tools if you need custom workflows, conditional logic, or multi-step automations that the native integration doesn’t support.
• EasyPost or Shippo: Alternative shipping platforms that integrate with BigCommerce and offer similar carrier discounts and label printing, though they may lack ShipStation’s multi-channel order consolidation.
• Custom API Integration: If you have specific fulfillment logic (e.g., routing orders to different warehouses based on product type), a developer can build a custom integration using BigCommerce’s REST API and ShipStation’s API to handle those rules.
• BigCommerce Built-In Shipping: For very small stores, BigCommerce’s native shipping calculator and carrier integrations may suffice, though you’ll lose ShipStation’s batch processing and advanced automation.

Common Setup Pitfalls

Duplicate Orders: If you import orders manually into ShipStation while the integration is active, you’ll create duplicates. Disable manual imports once the connection is live.

Carrier Account Mismatch: Ensure the carrier accounts you’ve authorized in ShipStation match the ones you want to use. If you add a new carrier later, you’ll need to re-authenticate it in ShipStation.

Custom Field Mapping: If you use custom fields in BigCommerce (e.g., “Gift Message” or “Delivery Instructions”), you may need to manually map them in ShipStation so they appear on packing slips. Check ShipStation’s field mapping settings during setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the integration work with BigCommerce’s multi-location inventory?

Yes. If you manage inventory across multiple warehouses or fulfillment centers, you can configure ShipStation to route orders to the appropriate location based on stock availability or custom rules. This requires some setup but is fully supported.

What happens if an order is canceled in BigCommerce?

Canceled orders sync to ShipStation and are marked as canceled, preventing accidental fulfillment. However, if you’ve already printed a label, you’ll need to manually void it or request a refund from the carrier. It’s best practice to cancel orders in BigCommerce before printing labels whenever possible.

Can I use ShipStation with multiple BigCommerce stores?

Yes. ShipStation supports connecting multiple BigCommerce stores to a single account, which is useful if you operate separate brand stores or regional storefronts. Each store’s orders appear in ShipStation’s unified dashboard.

Does ShipStation offer discounts on shipping rates?

Yes. ShipStation negotiates carrier rates that are typically 20–50% cheaper than retail rates, depending on your shipping volume and the carrier. The savings usually pay for the ShipStation subscription within the first few months.

Disclaimer

Integration features and capabilities may change as both BigCommerce and ShipStation release updates. This guide reflects the integration as of its publication date. Always verify current capabilities and supported features on the official BigCommerce and ShipStation documentation pages before making integration decisions.