Shipping method mapping allows you to control which carrier services Warehance uses when fulfilling orders. Shipping methods are typically auto-created when orders are received from a sales channel, and mapping ensures those methods are linked to the correct carriers and service levels.
Before You Begin
Make sure the following requirements are met:
- Your user role includes permission to manage shipping methods
- At least one carrier connection is active (e.g., USPS, UPS, DHL)
- Shipping methods exist in Warehance
Shipping methods are usually created automatically when orders are imported from a marketplace (such as Shopify). If an order arrives with a shipping method name that does not yet exist, Warehance will create it automatically.
Shipping methods can also be created manually if needed.
Where Shipping Methods Come From
When an order is received from a sales channel, it includes a shipping method name (for example, “Standard” or “Express”).
If that method does not already exist in Warehance, a new shipping method record will be created automatically. These methods will initially appear as Unmapped until carrier services are assigned.
How to Map a Shipping Method
- Navigate to Settings
- Select Shipping Methods
- Locate a method labeled Unmapped
- Click into the shipping method
Inside the shipping method, you will see that no carrier connections or service levels are selected.
To map the method:
- Select the carrier connections you want to use
- Choose the service levels that should be eligible for this shipping method
- Click Save Changes
Once saved, the shipping method status will update from Unmapped to Mapped.
Understanding Service Level Selection
When mapping a shipping method, you can select multiple carriers and multiple service levels.
Warehance will rate shop between all selected services and choose the best eligible option based on your configuration settings.
You can exclude specific services (for example, Media Mail) if they do not meet your operational requirements.
Max Delivery Days (SLA Control)
The Max Delivery Days setting allows you to enforce delivery speed requirements.
Example:
If your SLA requires delivery within 3–5 days, set the max delivery days to 5.
Warehance will then:
- Rate shop across all selected services
- Filter out services exceeding the max delivery days
- Choose the cheapest eligible rate that meets the delivery requirement
This ensures compliance with your delivery promises while optimizing for cost.
Shipping Method Priority
Shipping Method Priority affects picking order within fulfillment workflows.
Picking order is determined by:
- Order Priority
- Shipping Method Priority
Orders with shipping methods assigned a higher priority value will be picked before lower-priority methods.
This is useful for prioritizing expedited or time-sensitive shipments.
After Mapping
Once saved:
- The shipping method status changes to Mapped
- Future orders using this method will automatically apply the selected carriers and services
- Rate shopping will follow the configured service level and SLA rules
Best Practices
- Review new shipping methods periodically to ensure they are mapped
- Use Max Delivery Days to enforce SLAs
- Set Shipping Method Priority thoughtfully to align with operational goals
- Remove service levels that do not fit your fulfillment strategy