How to Ship a Package: The Complete Ecommerce Shipping Guide for 2025

Shipping is more than just a final step in ecommerce, it’s the moment your brand meets your customer face-to-face. And in 2025, with evolving expectations around fast delivery, eco-packaging, and real-time tracking, the pressure is on to deliver an exceptional shipping experience. This guide provides a step-by-step strategy for how to ship products effectively and profitably, whether you’re handling it in-house or partnering with a fulfillment expert like Daguer Logistics.

Why Ecommerce Shipping Matters More Than Ever

Your customer’s journey doesn’t end at checkout, it ends with the unboxing. That’s why packaging, carrier choice, shipping speed, and cost management are critical components of your ecommerce strategy. At Daguer Logistics, we integrate warehousing and fulfillment with cost-optimized shipping services across the U.S. and Canada to streamline this process.

How to Easily Ship Products to Customers: Step-by-Step

1. Design Your Packaging Materials

Your packaging is your brand’s first tactile impression. Elements to consider include:

· Branded boxes or poly mailers

· Tissue paper, eco-fillers, or foam inserts

· Custom tape, stickers, and thank-you notes

· Discount cards or next-purchase incentives

Pro Tip: Design your packaging before you start selling so you deliver consistency and professionalism from day one.

2. Package Your Orders

Once your product is ready:

· Add filler to protect contents

· Place your product inside securely

· Include inserts (thank-you cards, receipts, offers)

· Seal the package tightly

Fulfillment Advantage: With Daguer Logistics, our trained team handles all pick, pack, and packaging processes in-house.

3. Print and Attach Shipping Labels

When an order is placed, use your e-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.) to print shipping labels:

· Include name, address, barcode, and carrier service

· Apply label flat on top of the sealed package

Daguer Benefit: Orders from your store are instantly routed to our warehouse systems for fast label creation and shipment.

4. Drop Off or Use Fulfillment Centers

You can:

· Drop off packages at USPS, UPS, DHL, or FedEx

· Schedule a carrier pickup from your home or office

· Or use a fulfillment partner like Daguer Logistics to fully automate the process

With Daguer, your packaging and products are stored in our warehouse. Once an order is placed, we do the rest pick, pack, label, and ship directly to your customer.

The Foundations of an Ecommerce Shipping Strategy

Define Your Shipping Rates

You have several options:

· Free Shipping: Increase product prices to cover costs or absorb shipping as a marketing cost.

· Flat Rate Shipping: Easy for consistent product sizes/weights.

· Real-Time Carrier Rates: Let customers choose exact service and pricing.

· Local Delivery Options: Great for small businesses and next-day delivery in nearby zones.

Track Product Weights

Accurate product weights and dimensions help you:

· Calculate shipping costs accurately

· Choose the right packaging

· Automate rate calculations with fulfillment partners

Choose and Source Packaging

Options include:

· Free packaging from USPS, DHL, UPS

· Custom boxes or mailers from suppliers like ValueMailers, Fast-Pack

· Poly mailers for flexible, lightweight items like clothing

Optimizing Packaging and Customer Experience

Why Packaging Matters:

· It builds brand loyalty

· Sets you apart from Amazon-standard brown boxes

· Turns first-time customers into repeat customers

Popular Add-ons:

· Product care tips

· Free sample of another product

· Loyalty discount card for next purchase

Eco-Friendly Ideas:

· Recycled cardboard boxes

· Compostable poly mailers

· Paper-based padding instead of bubble wrap

Shipping Insurance and Tracking

For high-ticket items, fragile products, or international orders:

· Tracking: Included with most USPS, UPS, DHL services

· Insurance: Worth purchasing for orders above $100 value

Daguer Logistics automatically includes tracking and can add insurance as required.

Understanding Tariffs, Duties, and Cross-Border Shipping

If you ship from the U.S. to Canada (or vice versa), you must consider:

· Duties & Taxes: Customers typically pay on delivery unless DDP (delivered duty paid) is used

· Customs Declarations: HS codes, item value, and country of origin

· Returns: Cross-border returns can be managed through Daguer’s U.S. and Canadian facilities

Leveraging Fulfillment Services Like Daguer Logistics

Why Use a Fulfillment Warehouse?

· Store inventory in California and Ontario

· Orders automatically sent to Daguer from your ecommerce platform

· Fast shipping to U.S. and Canadian customers

Advantages:

· Discounted Carrier Rates: Benefit from bulk shipping rates

· Faster Delivery: Strategic location reduces transit time

· Automation: Orders are processed without manual involvement

Challenges to Consider:

· Loss of Full Branding Control: Most 3PLs use standard packaging. Daguer allows branded inserts and packaging.

· Storage & Pick Fees: Understand all fee structures (Daguer offers transparent monthly pricing with no surprises)

E-commerce Shipping Integrations

With platforms like Shopify, Amazon, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce, you can:

· Automate order tracking updates

· Print shipping labels from your dashboard

· Integrate with Daguer’s WMS for real-time fulfillment updates

Best Practices for Efficient Shipping

· Keep packaging as light and compact as possible

· Use real-time shipping calculators

· Clearly state delivery timelines on your website

· Offer return-friendly policies

· Always send tracking info and order confirmations

Local Delivery and Pickup Options

If you serve a specific region:

· Offer free or low-cost local delivery

· Use postal code radius to define delivery range

· Allow customers to pick up directly from you or your local warehouse

Daguer supports last-mile delivery partnerships across major metro areas.

Schedule Pickups and Streamline Operations

Carriers like USPS, UPS, DHL, and Canada Post offer:

· Free or discounted pickups

· Recurring pickup scheduling

· Scan-based return labels for customers

Conclusion: Shipping That Scales With Your Brand

Figuring out how to ship a package efficiently isn’t just about logistics, it’s about delighting customers and maximizing profit. With the right packaging, carrier selection, and fulfillment strategy, your business can scale while keeping costs under control and customer satisfaction high.

Daguer Logistics is your trusted partner for U.S. and Canadian ecommerce fulfillment. From inventory storage to real-time order shipping and branded experiences, we ensure every shipment reflects your commitment to quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I reduce my shipping costs?

Use fulfillment centers like Daguer that negotiate discounted bulk shipping rates. Also reduce package size and weight.

2. Can I still offer custom packaging with a fulfillment center?

Yes. Daguer supports branded boxes, inserts, and thank-you notes.

3. What carriers does Daguer Logistics support?

We work with USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, and regional last-mile providers.

4. What happens if a package gets lost?

Daguer’s team files claims, communicates with carriers, and offers insured shipping to minimize your loss.

5. Can I ship internationally?

Yes. We support global shipping with customs forms, HS code matching, and delivery duty options.

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