You can also create shipping labels and return labels in Pickware without an order. You need this when you send or retrieve something that has no order in the shop, for example spare parts, samples or a return without an order. You create these standalone labels, also called shipping labels without an order reference, in Pickware Admin under Orders → Shipping labels.
That is also where you find the labels again: you can print them, cancel them, send a return label to the customer by email, or assign a label to an order afterwards. You create a label for an order directly on the order, as described in How do I create shipping labels?.
Create a shipping label without an order
You create a standalone shipping label in just a few steps:
In Pickware Admin, open Orders → Shipping labels and click Create standalone shipping label.
In the Shipping method as template field, select a shipping method. Pickware takes the carrier, shipping options, package dimensions and sender address from it. Without a template, you select the carrier and its options yourself.
If you have saved shipping settings per Sales Channel, also select the Sales Channel. It determines which carrier credentials are used to create the label and which sender address is prefilled.
Enter the recipient address. In the Customer field you can search for a customer and, under Customer address, take over one of their addresses. The label is not linked to the customer in this process. You can also enter the address manually.
If the parcel should not be shipped from your default location, open the Sender section and select a different location under Location. Its address is used as the sender.
In the Packages tab, define what is being shipped: with Add product you add products from your shop, with Add custom line item any other line items. You create additional parcels with Add package. In the Reference field you can enter your own reference, which is printed on the label as the customer reference.
Click Create label.
The products in the parcel are only a content declaration, for example for customs data. Your stock does not change as a result.
Note: For shipments outside the EU, most carriers require line items with customs data (description, tariff number, country of origin and goods value) as well as an invoice number with invoice date. You find the fields for this in the Packages tab.
Create a return label without an order
You create a standalone return label via Create standalone return label. The dialog is the same as for the shipping label, only the roles are swapped: the customer's address is the sender, your address is the recipient. How return labels work for an order is explained in How do I create return labels?.
As the recipient, Pickware enters the address of your default return location. Via Location you can select a different location as the recipient.
Send a return label to the customer by email
You can send the finished return label directly to the customer by email. To do so, open the menu next to the label in the overview and select Send return label to customer. The email goes to the email address in the sender address of the return label and uses the return label template of the respective carrier.
Find and manage standalone labels in the overview
The overview under Orders → Shipping labels shows the labels without an order. Using the Filters, you narrow down the list by Carrier, Created at and Type, i.e. shipping or return. With the search you can also find a label by its reference.
With Show shipping labels of orders you additionally display the labels of your orders, and with Show cancelled shipping labels cancelled labels as well. Via the menu next to the respective label you can view it, print it, track the shipment or cancel it, provided the carrier supports cancelling.
Assign a label to an order afterwards
If a standalone label turns out to belong to an order, select Assign to order in the menu next to the label, pick the order and click Assign. The tracking codes are transferred to the order, and the label then appears on the order. For a shipping label, Pickware assigns it to a shipping order from the order's fulfillment orders. If there are several, you select the matching one.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I select a carrier?
The dialog only offers carriers that support labels without an order. For shipments with another carrier, you need an order.
What does the message "ParcelShop ID missing" mean for GLS?
For the GLS service ShopDeliveryService, GLS needs a ParcelShop ID. For a label without an order, there is no order on which it could be saved. Therefore, enable Automatically determine nearest ParcelShop in the shipping options. Pickware then determines the ParcelShop closest to the shipping address. More on the GLS options can be found in How can I set up GLS for Pickware?.