Shipping method mapping allows you to connect the shipping options sent by your sales channels to the carrier services you want to use for fulfillment. In most cases, Warehance automatically creates shipping methods as they arrive from marketplaces or storefronts; your role is to map those methods to the correct carrier services.
Shipping Methods Are Auto-Created
When a customer checks out using a sales channel, that channel sends the selected shipping method name with the order—such as “Standard,” “Free Shipping,” or “Express.” Warehance automatically creates a shipping method record for each new name it receives. No setup is required for these records to appear.
For example, if Shopify sends a method named “Standard (3–5 days),” a matching shipping method will show up automatically in Warehance under Shipping Methods.
Why Mapping Matters
Unmapped shipping methods do not know which carrier service should be used during label generation. By mapping these methods, you are explicitly telling Warehance which carrier and service level to apply.
Mapping ensures that:
- The correct service is selected during fulfillment
- Manual steps are reduced for packers or shippers
- Carrier costs and delivery speeds remain consistent
- Customer expectations are met more reliably
How Mapping Works
The workflow for shipping method mapping is straightforward:
- The customer selects a shipping option at checkout.
- The channel sends that shipping method name with the order.
- Warehance automatically creates a shipping method record when the name is first seen.
- You map the shipping method to a carrier and service you want to use.
- The correct service is automatically applied during label creation going forward.
If no mapping exists for a method, Warehance will still display the method on the order but will require either manual service selection or automation rules to determine the correct label service.
Mapping a Shipping Method
Once methods appear in Warehance, you can map them:
- Go to Settings
- Select Shipping Methods
- Find an unmapped or existing method you want to modify
- Choose the carrier and service you want to assign
- Click Save to apply
After saving, Warehance will use the mapped carrier service for all future orders with that method name.
Channel Naming Variations
Different sales channels often label similar customer experiences using different words. For example, one channel might use “Standard,” another might use “Economy,” and a third might use “Ground,” yet all three options may reasonably correspond to the same shipping service like UPS Ground or USPS Priority.
You can map multiple channel names to the same carrier service if they represent similar delivery expectations.
Advanced users may also use Automations to vary services based on weight, location, or other order attributes.
Editing and Updating Mappings
Mappings can be adjusted at any time:
- Updating the mapping changes the service on future orders only
- Previously created labels or shipments are not retroactively changed
To update:
- Go to Settings > Shipping Methods
- Select the method you want to edit
- Change the carrier or service
- Save the update
Fallback Behavior
If Warehance receives a method that has not yet been mapped:
- The method is automatically created
- It appears on the order under Shipping Method
- A user must choose a service manually during fulfillment unless automation rules are in place
Mapping is therefore the recommended workflow for consistency and speed.
Typical User Workflow
Most users do not manually create shipping methods themselves. Instead, they:
- Allow sales channels to auto-create methods
- Periodically review newly created method names
- Map them to preferred carrier services
This approach aligns with how channels update or change shipping labels over time (especially during promotional periods or seasonal surges).
Common Issues and Solutions
Below are common issues that may appear when working with method mapping and how to resolve them:
- Unexpected new shipping method names: Sales channels sometimes adjust naming conventions. Simply map the new name to the correct service.
- Wrong service being applied: Check the existing mapping and any automation rules that might override it.
- Carrier options not available: Verify that the carrier integration is connected and that services are enabled.
- Multiple similar names for the same experience: It is acceptable to map multiple storefront names to the same underlying carrier service.
Best Practices
To keep method mapping clean and reliable:
- Map new methods as soon as they appear
- Consolidate similar naming conventions across channels
- Audit mappings periodically, especially during peak seasons
- Apply consistent carrier strategies across channels