Getting started checklist with Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN)

Welcome to the Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN)! Whether you have worked with a logistics solution before or are new to fulfillment, you can learn more about what is needed for fulfillment here. You might find it helpful to print this page so that you can refer to it throughout the setup process.

Before you begin using SFN, it's helpful to understand what SFN can offer and how it will be done. You need to prepare your products and business in your Shopify admin. Preparing your products in advance helps to ensure that the fulfillment centers are ready to receive your inventory. When your products are accurately prepared, SFN personnel are able to process your products and fulfill orders more quickly.

To prepare your business to start fulfilling orders with SFN, follow these steps:

Before you start

Make sure your products are eligible for SFN.

Review the SFN fulfillment lifecycle.

Check if you need wholesale capabilities.

Note

SFN can handle large order processing where inventory can be sent using parcel. However, if you are looking for palletized wholesale or custom labeling, then Shopify’s logistics service Flexport can support you better.

Check if you need marketing inserts or custom packaging. This isn't available in SFN at this time.

SFN orders can contain a packing slip that you can customize. A packing slip can be customized to meet the needs of a marketing insert.

Getting started

These steps are only applicable if you are setting up the SFN App for the first time.

Sign up for the SFN App.

If the App isn't available for your account, then your store isn't eligible for SFN. This can happen if:

• You don't have Shopify Payments.
• Have prohibited items.
• Aren't currently fulfilling from the US.

Click Launch the App.

Activating your fulfillment

Add products and create an inbound transfer in the SFN app.

Assign SKUs and barcodes to your products and variants.

Pack and label your products.

Send your products to a Shopify Fulfillment location.

When sending your products into SFN, review the following considerations:

• There's no limit in the amount you can send to SFN, however there are restrictions to pallet weight and dimensions.
• Full containers are accepted with an appointment.
• You'll be assigned a location to send your inventory in your SFN App.
• If your inventory quantity allows, then it will be distributed across the network to be close to your customers for no additional fee. This is called inventory balancing and allows for orders to ship to your customers in 3 days or less. Read more about inventory balancing and how to prepare your products for success.

Set up your shipping rates for SFN in the Shipping section of your Shopify admin:

• Set up shipping profiles.
• Set up your locations.

Caution

Read about combined shipping rates when setting up your rates to avoid over charging your customers.

If eligible, learn more about Shop Promise and how this will support your customers when purchasing on your shop.

Managing your products

Review the measurements and dimensions set in the First Article Inspection.

Having accurate and set dimensions eliminates issues for soft and bendable items that might have different measurements if it's measured every time an item is shipped.

Plan for your inbound receiving timelines.

After your products arrive at the fulfillment center they need to be received by Shopify fulfillment personnel. The receiving timelines are outlined to help you plan for when your products will be available for fulfillment.

Review your inbound transfers after they're received.

You will be able to see items and quantities that are received in your inbound transfer. Any discrepancies or damage will be noted. Contact SFN support if you have questions.

Managing your account

Assign your location priority. Orders will be assigned based on your location priorities.

Set up Flow work flows for automating common tasks like low inventory notifications and setting an order on hold.

Set up a fulfillment delay to review orders for fraud or risk before fulfilling.

Manage your returns settings.

• Activate returns.
• Set up rules for products returns to SFN.

Set up your packaging preferences to indicate how your orders will be shipped.

• If original packaging is preferred for a product, then it's important to make sure a 4x6 label is able to be attached clearly.
• If standard shipping is selected, then the fulfillment center will determine whether a box or polybag is appropriate. Larger items will be shipped in boxes.

Note

If an item is foldable and standard packaging is selected, then the item might be folded into a polybag or box. Select fragile protection to avoid this.

If the item is larger than the product eligibility for Shopify Fulfillment Network then it can be charged oversized fees.

Understanding how orders will be fulfilled and shipped

(Optional) Set up order filters to monitor the progress of your fulfillment requests.

Action any declined fulfillment requests.

Resolve any shipping address errors.

This can include:

• Missing address information.
• Too many characters in a line.
• Formatting for Military APO addresses to reduce delays or delivery issues.

Understand when an order might be partially shipped.

Adjust your notifications to your preferences for shipping alerts.

SFN updates your Shopify order details page with updates about tracking. In your Settings > Notifications you can set up alerts for your customers to get updates as soon as the information is available. There is no real-time shipping update application for customers.

Understanding SFN pricing and billing

Review your Rate Card to understand fees are associated with fulfillment.

• Prices and fees for Shopify Fulfillment Network services.

Review where to find your bill.

Understand what is involved in your fulfillment fee.

Your fulfillment fee includes:

• Inbound receiving
• Inventory placement/forwarding
• Pick and pack
• Standard supplies, including box or mailer and all other packaging needs
• Transportation

Understand the difference between domestic fulfillment fees and international fulfillment fees and how the final destination affects pricing for your orders.

Your rate card has in depth explanations about these. A brief overview:

• Domestic fulfillment fees are weight based. This means that each item in an order is associated with a cost based on the item's weight. It can be combined with other items and their weight to calculate the price for the order. This applies to all US orders. See your rate card for specific weights and amounts.
• Hawaii, Alaska, US Territories and military zip codes are weight based with separate rates than the domestic fulfillment fees.
• International fulfillment fees are zone based. This means that each order is determined by its billable weight and the distance by zone the order will need to travel to reach its final destination. See your rate card for specific weights and amounts.

Grow your business

Just because your fees are determined by domestic, non-continental US, and international zones doesn't mean you're limited to these options. You are able to assign different shipping rates for your customers. Rates can be determined at the state or country level based on your preferences.

Understand that there are no peak surcharges for fulfillment.

Understand packaging discounts or fees.

Understand storage fees.

Understand non compliance and applicable fees.

(if applicable) Understand oversized charges.

Product requirements and eligibility are outlined and there are fees for products that extend beyond these dimensions.

Reach out to SFN support if you have questions or concerns about your billing.

Refunds or credits are eligible for certain fulfillment issues as per the Terms of Service.

Note

SFN is proactive in reviewing for fulfillment errors, however it's highly recommended to audit and review your billing. Billing inquiries can be resolved within 30 days of the invoice.

Getting support for SFN

Fulfillment and logistics can be complex. SFN has dedicated teams to help you manage this complexity and help you grow your business with fulfillment.

Review Shopify Fulfillment Network operating hours and holidays.

Reach out to SFN support for resolving questions and issues related to SFN, such as inbound receiving, order processing, or SFN billing.