Shipping is the backbone of modern e-commerce. Whether you run a small business, a large online store, or an international retail brand, managing shipments effectively determines customer satisfaction, profitability, and overall efficiency. Shippo is one of the most popular shipping platforms available today, offering powerful solutions for businesses that need to streamline logistics, reduce costs, and integrate with multiple carriers seamlessly.
This article covers everything you need to know about Shippo — from features and benefits to pricing, calculations, and frequently asked questions.
What is Shippo?
Shippo is a cloud-based multi-carrier shipping platform that helps businesses manage shipping labels, tracking, returns, and fulfillment operations. It integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and Squarespace, giving merchants a centralized hub to manage orders and deliveries.
With Shippo, you can:
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Compare carrier rates in real time.
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Print discounted shipping labels.
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Automate order syncing from marketplaces.
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Provide customers with live tracking.
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Simplify returns and international shipping.
Key Features of Shippo
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Multi-Carrier Access
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Shippo partners with carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, Canada Post, Hermes, and more.
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Merchants can compare rates and select the most cost-effective option for each order.
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Discounted Rates
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Businesses get up to 90% off retail shipping rates without needing their own carrier accounts.
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Shippo offers USPS Commercial Pricing, one of the best discounts for small businesses.
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Label Creation
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Print shipping labels in bulk or individually.
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Automate recurring label printing for subscription boxes or repeat orders.
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Order Management
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Syncs with e-commerce platforms so all orders appear in one dashboard.
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Assign shipping rules (e.g., fastest, cheapest, or eco-friendly carrier).
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Tracking & Notifications
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Provides real-time tracking for both merchants and customers.
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Automates email or SMS updates.
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Returns Management
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Generates prepaid return labels.
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Simplifies customer experience and reduces manual work.
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International Shipping
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Automatically fills out customs forms.
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Supports duties and taxes calculation.
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Shippo Pricing
Shippo offers flexible pricing:
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Free Plan
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Pay-as-you-go.
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$0/month.
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$0.05 per label (plus postage).
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Unlimited carrier accounts.
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Professional Plan
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Starts at $10/month.
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Includes 5,000 labels.
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Branded tracking pages and customer support.
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Premier Plan
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Custom pricing for enterprises.
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Advanced API support and high-volume discounts.
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Calculation.
Let’s compare the cost of shipping 100 packages per month using USPS rates.
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Without Shippo (retail USPS rate):
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Average cost per package (Priority Mail 2 lb) = $9.50
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100 packages × $9.50 = $950/month
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With Shippo (discounted USPS Commercial Pricing):
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Average cost per package = $7.20
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100 packages × $7.20 = $720/month
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Savings with Shippo:
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$950 – $720 = $230/month
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$230 × 12 = $2,760/year
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Benefits of Using Shippo
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Cost Efficiency – Save money with bulk shipping discounts.
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Time Savings – Automate label printing and tracking.
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Scalability – Works for both small and large businesses.
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Customer Satisfaction – Better tracking and easy returns improve trust.
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Global Reach – Simplify international logistics.
Comparison: Shippo vs Competitors
| Feature | Shippo | ShipStation | EasyPost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Carrier Discounts | ✅ Up to 90% | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| API Integration | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong |
| Label Fee | $0.05 (free on Pro) | None | Depends |
| Best For | Small to medium businesses | Mid-to-large stores | Developers |
(FAQs)
Q1. Is Shippo free to use?
Yes, Shippo has a Free Plan with no monthly cost. You only pay $0.05 per label plus postage.
Q2. Does Shippo offer international shipping?
Yes, Shippo supports international shipping, customs forms, and duties calculation.
Q3. Can I use my own carrier accounts with Shippo?
Yes, you can connect your own accounts for UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others.
Q4. What integrations does Shippo support?
Shippo integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Squarespace, BigCommerce, and more.
Q5. Is Shippo good for small businesses?
Yes, Shippo is designed for small and medium-sized businesses that want affordable shipping without complex setup.
Q6. How much can I save with Shippo?
Savings vary, but businesses typically save 20–40% on USPS and UPS rates.
Q7. Does Shippo offer return labels?
Yes, you can create prepaid return labels to simplify customer returns.
Q8. Can I scale with Shippo as my business grows?
Yes, Shippo offers enterprise-level solutions for high-volume businesses.
Final Thoughts
In the fast-paced e-commerce industry, efficient shipping is the key to growth and customer satisfaction. Shippo provides small and large businesses with affordable, easy-to-use shipping solutions that integrate across multiple carriers and platforms.
By offering discounted rates, automation, and scalability, Shippo reduces both time and costs, allowing businesses to focus on growth. Whether you are shipping 50 packages a month or 50,000, Shippo ensures you stay competitive.