eCommerce Shipping Checklist + Tips: What Every Business Should Do Before Sending a Package

Running an eCommerce business means living in two worlds, digital and physical. You can have perfect marketing, stunning product pages, and five-star reviews of your online store… but if your shipping process drops the ball, everything falls apart. Packaging, labeling, carriers, insurance, tracking, returns, and customer expectations all collide in one critical moment of truth.

That moment when a customer opens the box is the moment they decide if they’ll order again – or not. A damaged, delayed, or lost order doesn’t just cost money, but chips away at your brand reputation. That’s why having a shipping checklist that you can rely on at hand is not just about ticking boxes, but about delivering excellence every single time. Because shipping isn’t just logistics, it’s the final impression your brand leaves that can make or break customer trust.

Let’s walk through everything your business should do before sending a package, backed by useful ecommerce shipping tips and smart ways to streamline your fulfillment process, so every delivery lands safely, on time, and with your customers smiling.

1.Start With a Clear Shipping Strategy

Before you tape the first box, define your shipping strategy. It’s the foundation of your entire fulfillment process and directly impacts profit margins and customer satisfaction. With U.S. e-commerce sales hitting $304.2 billion in Q2 2025 (over 16 % of total retail) according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s report, your shipping strategy matters more than ever.

Ask yourself:

• What are my shipping goals – speed, cost savings, reliability, or all three?
• Who are my customers, and what do they expect?
• Which shipping methods will I offer – standard, express, or flat rate shipping?
• How will I handle order returns?
• Who will handle my logistics?

Mapping this out early keeps your order fulfillment process efficient and scalable as your business grows. Here’s a pro ecommerce shipping tip to keep in mind when creating your roadmap: your shipping strategy should align with your brand promise. If you market premium products, customers expect premium delivery. That means sturdy packaging, tracking updates, fast and on-time delivery, and professional handling, not the cheapest options you can find.

2.Calculate & Control Your Shipping Costs

No matter how you slice it, shipping costs eat into profit. Between packaging, labor, and carrier fees, small inefficiencies add up fast. Compare shipping rates from multiple carriers and platforms. Consider not just the price, but reliability, speed, and tracking capabilities. Sometimes, the lowest rate comes with the highest hidden costs, like lost packages, slow claims, or frustrated customers.

As a business owner, you need to make the right call in order to ensure that you are turning a profit with every shipment that goes out your door. At UNIVAL Logistics, we believe you shouldn’t have to compromise. For almost two decades, we’ve been perfecting cost-effective shipping solutions that balance competitive shipping rates with speed, security, and peace of mind.

UNIVAL always finds the best route for cost-effectiveness, offering consolidation options that lower overall rates and simplify logistics. By grouping multiple orders, ecommerce sellers can cut costs and improve delivery times, without sacrificing service quality. Because cost management in shipping isn’t about slashing expenses but about spending smarter.

3.Choose the Right Shipping Carrier

Picking the right shipping carrier is like hiring the right employee – their performance represents your brand. Evaluate potential logistics partners and shipping services based on:

• Coverage area / shipping zones (domestic and international)
• Delivery speed and reliability
• Real-time tracking options
• Support and claims responsiveness
• Shiping rates and pricing flexibility
• Insured shipping options and delivery guarantees

Choose the best shipping methods for speed vs. cost. For domestic shipping, flat-rate options might be economical for smaller packages, while consolidated shipments make sense for higher volumes. For international orders, look for a partner who understands customs declarations, shipping regulations, and duties to avoid costly delays.

UNIVAL’s specialized ecommerce shipping solutions and secure package delivery simplify the entire process from warehouse to last mile with:

• Ecommerce API integration to manage multiple online orders from one dashboard
• 24/7 domestic & international shipment tracking & visibility
• Route optimization for cost efficiency
• Consolidation options to reduce per-package rates
• Full value shipping insurance for domestic and international shipments

When choosing the right provider and service, your logistics partner becomes an extension of your business, not just a vendor.

4.Automate with a Reliable Shipping Software

Once you’re processing more than a few orders a day, manual entry becomes a bottleneck. That’s where shipping software saves the day. Modern platforms can help you streamline the checkout process:

• Automatically import orders from Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon
• Print accurate shipping labels
• Compare carrier rates instantly
• Update customers with tracking info in real time

Integrating shipping automation eliminates repetitive tasks and reduces errors during order processing. If your system integrates with your logistics provider (like UNIVAL’s API-based platform), you’ll gain full visibility across your e-commerce logistics chain.

The result? Less stress, faster fulfillment, and smoother operations from checkout to delivery. This is also crucial for peak seasons, where partners like UNIVAL Logistics can scale your shipping operations seamlessly during high-demand periods.

5.Inspect Products Before Packing

Set up a “pre-pack” inspection station. Inspecting before boxing is faster. Good lighting, a clear workflow, and quality control checkpoints prevent costly order returns processes later.

• Check for damage, defects, or missing components.
• Verify any customizations or bundles.
• Ensure the correct batch or version is picked.

Returns cost time and money. A short inspection saves both and keeps your customer experience strong.

6.Choose the Right Packaging Materials

To be honest, nobody gets excited about cardboard boxes. But your packaging materials can make or break your customers' order receiving experience. Here’s what to consider to ensure safe transit:

• Durability: Match materials to product fragility and use durable shipping supplies that protect your product. A sturdy double-wall box beats a flimsy single-wall every time.
• Fit: Use the smallest package possible without squeezing and fit items snugly to reduce wasted space. Empty space costs money and invites damage.
• Protection: Cushion fragile products appropriately. Bubble wrap, air pillows, or eco-friendly crinkled paper can prevent shock damage. Seal boxes securely with strong tape. Add tamper-evident and waterproof features if needed.
• Presentation: Unboxing is part of the customer experience. Include branded tissue paper, stickers, eco-friendly packaging, or a thank-you note – small touches that stick and leave an impression.

 Perform a quick drop test. Drop the package from waist height on all sides. If it passes, it’s ready. And don’t forget your shipping supplies: labels, strong tape, fragile stickers, and packing slips should always be on hand and on your shipping checklist. Running out mid-rush is a nightmare you can avoid with proper planning.

7.Double-Check Order Details and Documentation

A single typo on a shipping label can derail your delivery process and cause major customer service headaches – lost packages, delays, refunds, and bad reviews that drain time and money.  Automation helps, but humans should still spot-check. Even with advanced shipping software, mistakes can happen, especially during peak season. Flag large or expedited orders for manual review, but if you can, do this before sending out any order:

• Verify product SKUs match what the customer ordered - check quantities, variations, and personalization
• Verify the recipient’s name and shipping address
• Ensure the return address is correct
• Include easy order returns processes (QR codes or preprinted labels) and confirm barcode and tracking numbers are scannable
• Attach any required regulatory or warranty paperwork when required, and customs declarations for international or cross-border sales.

This way, nothing slips through the cracks, resulting in a clean delivery and professional unboxing experience.

Bonus Tip

For international sellers, incomplete or inaccurate customs forms are one of the top causes of shipping delays. Different countries have different shipping regulations and customs procedures regarding restricted items, labeling, and declarations. Non-compliance can lead to holds, fines, or even confiscation.

Pro ecommerce shipping tip? If you’re shipping high-value or restricted items across borders, double-check shipping regulations for each destination country to stay compliant. Keep documentation clean, provide commercial invoices, declare item values accurately, and stay updated on export requirements.

8.Protect Every Shipment with Full-Value Shipping Insurance

Even with perfect packaging and labeling, things can still go wrong. Lost parcels, weather delays, theft, or rough handling… These are all risks that could hit your bottom line hard – a single claim can offset years of premiums. That’s where shipping insurance steps in, not as an added shipping cost, but as a safety net for your revenue. However, most shipping carriers only insure for the declared value.

For high-value shipments, protect your profits with UNIVAL Logistics’ full value shipping insurance, both domestic and international, which covers 100% of the product’s retail value, not just the carrier’s limited liability, at premium rates.

Even if you choose to ship via FedEx or another courier, you can still use our third-party shipping insurance and protect your shipments full value for peace of mind. For large and small ecommerce businesses, especially those sending valuable and luxury items, this layer of protection is a key ingredient.

9.Optimize Your Delivery Process for Customer Expectations

Fast shipping used to be a perk. Now it’s an expectation. Today’s shoppers compare your delivery times to Amazon’s, even if you’re a small ecommerce business. To stay competitive:

• Offer multiple shipping methods (standard, expedited, overnight)
• Provide accurate delivery estimates at checkout
• Communicate delays proactively
• Send real-time tracking updates to the customer or offer live updates via your store

Transparency is everything when meeting customer expectations, up to the last mile. UNIVAL’s tracking capabilities provide live visibility 24/7 at each leg of the journey, reducing anxiety, customer service inquiries, and building trust.

10.Plan for Returns and Reverse Logistics

Like it or not, order returns are part of doing business online, and customers remember when you make them painless. A clear, fair, and simple returns process can actually increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and encourage repeat purchases. Make sure your returns processes are:

• Easy to find and understand by including clear return policies and instructions
• Automated through your ecommerce system with QR codes or links
• Equipped with resealable mailers or easy-return boxes.
• Fast – refund or replacement should happen promptly

Include a return label or portal link in every order. Even if customers never use it, knowing it’s there reassures them.  A strong returns policy isn’t just customer-friendly; it’s a competitive advantage. The smoother your reverse logistics, the better the overall satisfaction and trust.

11.Record and Review Every Shipment: Use Data to Refine Your Ecommerce Shipping Strategy

Your first shipping setup won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. The key is to keep improving. You will be able to do that by:

• Storing digital records of shipment data
• Log delays, damages, or lost packages.
• Review monthly reports for carrier performance

Analyze performance data regularly:

• Average delivery times
• Lost or damaged package rates
• Return frequency
• Customer feedback

This information helps you fine-tune your ecommerce shipping strategy for cost, speed, and reliability. Identify patterns, spot inefficiencies, and adjust your order fulfillment process accordingly. By using insights from your shipping platform or provider, you can continuously strengthen operations and customer trust.

External shocks (such as the pandemic, when USPS package volume jumped to an 18.8% increase year-over-year) can stress the shipping process and capacity, highlighting why building resilience and a proper, stable strategy matter.

Bonus Tip

Experience your brand firsthand. Going through your own order fulfillment process helps you spot friction points and lets you improve before customers ever notice. That’s how you elevate your shipping experience from acceptable to exceptional.

12.Communicate Constantly and Offer Great Customer Service

No one likes being left in the dark after placing an order. Communication is the backbone of great customer service and shipping experience. Make sure customers can easily:

• Track their packages
• Contact support with questions
• Get proactive updates if delays happen

Remember that every interaction reinforces your brand reputation. Be transparent, helpful, and human. That’s what turns a one-time buyer into a repeat customer. UNIVAL’s ecommerce shipping platform offers full transparency, helping you deliver both your products and your promises.

13.Think Long-Term: Shipping as a Growth Strategy

Most ecommerce owners think of shipping as a cost. Smart ones see it as an opportunity. Efficient shipping builds trust, reduces support tickets, and boosts repeat purchases. It’s part of your marketing, not just your logistics. When customers know their orders arrive fast, safe, and intact, they come back.

Choosing a carrier who understands that difference matters. UNIVAL Logistics isn’t just about moving packages. We’re a global logistics partner that's about helping ecommerce owners scale confidently with:

• Smart route optimization
• Package consolidation
• 24/7 monitoring & visibility
• Full-value insurance coverage
• Seamless system integration
• Domestic and international shipping

That’s the kind of support that turns logistics from a headache into a growth engine. As global e-commerce scales toward $5.5 trillion forecast by 2027, your e-commerce shipping execution can help you capture your share of growth

A Printable Ecommerce Shipping Checklist

Before you ship, print out and run through this quick, summarized list:

✅ Define your shipping strategy
✅ Compare shipping rates and choose the right shipping carrier and service
✅ Automate your order processing with reliable shipping software
✅ Use sturdy, right-sized packaging materials and supplies
✅ Print accurate shipping labels and check customs declarations

✅ Double-check every order detail and information
✅ Protect your packages with full-value shipping insurance
✅ Offer multiple shipping methods to meet customer expectations
✅ Optimize your delivery process and track until the last mile
✅ Streamline returns processes for better customer satisfaction
✅ Record and review data to refine your ecommerce shipping strategy
✅ Stay up-to-date and compliant with all shipping regulations
✅ Communicate clearly to enhance customer experience and customer service
✅ Manage cost management and maintain brand reputation

eCommerce Shipping Is a Promise. Make Sure It Delivers with UNIVAL

Shipping isn’t just about getting an order from A to B. It’s about trust, efficiency, and reputation. Every label, box, and delivery adds up to the story your customers believe about your brand. When a customer clicks “Buy,” they’re not just buying a product; they’re buying your promise to deliver it safely and quickly. Every step of your shipping process, from packaging to the last mile, reinforces that promise.

Use our ecommerce shipping checklist and tips to improve your ecommerce shipping workflow. And if you’re ready to simplify your logistics, reduce risks, and protect every shipment, UNIVAL Logistics is the trusted partner that makes it possible with specialized ecommerce shipping solutions. From smart ecommerce API integration to full-value shipping insurance for domestic and international shipments, UNIVAL helps you deliver every order with confidence.

Because in ecommerce, shipping isn’t the end of a sale; it’s the beginning of loyalty. And your package isn’t just a box. It’s your brand, sealed and shipped.