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Rakuten

How to add a Rakuten store to ShipStation, what features are available, and other need-to-know details.

This article contains:

Rakuten.com works seamlessly across mobile and desktop versions to connect buyers and sellers in a dynamic marketplace, complete with videos for product reviews and comparisons.

Rakuten Marketplace to Close September 15, 2020.

Rakuten's marketplace closure for online merchants means that no new orders will be accepted after September 15, 2020.

Key Dates

  • August 19, 2020: Final day for merchant-funded Rakuten Point promotions.

  • September 8, 2020: Last pre-closure payouts issued.

  • September 15, 2020: Marketplace closes. No new orders accepted. You can still import orders into ShipStation, create labels, and send marketplace notifications with your existing Rakuten store. This change will only affect your ability to connect a new Rakuten store.

  • September 25, 2020: Last day to ship, update, or cancel orders.

  • September 26, 2020: We will stop communication with Rakuten APIs. This will prevent order import errors and other confusion in the ShipStation UI.

    • September 25, 2020, is the last day to ship, update, or cancel orders. ShipStation will perform a forced-order-import refresh on all accounts with an active Rakuten store. This action will import any orders that may have been missed prior to cutting off functionality.

    • Your already-existing Rakuten connection will still appear in ShipStation for you to view existing orders and shipments, to create reports, and to create return labels.

  • October 1, 2020: ShipStation will disable Rakuten in-app and disable channel connection.

    All support inquiries will be handled by support-merchantmarketplace@mail.rakuten.com

  • October 30, 2020: Final payouts to be issued.

  • December 15, 2020: Merchant Portal to close.

This closure will not affect Rakuten’s other operations, including Rakuten Super Logistics and Rakuten's Cash Back business at Rakuten.com.

ALTERNATIVE SELLING CHANNELS:

Follow these links to learn more about some of, but certainly not all, the alternative selling channels that ShipStation recommends: Bonanza, Newegg, Sears, Walmart. See our Overview of Store and Marketplace Integrations for a comprehensive list of integration alternatives with Shipstation.

Rakuten Closure FAQs

Rakuten hopes these frequently asked questions (FAQs) will help as they sunset their marketplace. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Rakuten at merchants@marketplace.rakuten.com.

PROMOTIONS, ORDERS, REFUNDS, AND TAXES

How long will Rakuten's marketing support continue to be provided?

Rakuten's marketing support will continue until the marketplace closes on September 15, 2020.

What are the final dates to ship, update, or cancel an order?

  • All orders must be shipped to customers or canceled by September 25, 2020.

  • Rakuten recommends removing SKUs with long lead times that can not be fulfilled by September 25, 2020.

  • After September 28, 2020, no tracking information updates are allowed on shipped orders.

How will refunds work?

  • With the exception of FTP, you can process refunds per usual until December 15, 2020.

  • FTP is currently accessible. Rakuten will send merchants additional details by August 31, 2020.

  • UI and Open API refunds can be processed normally through December 15, 2020.  After December 15, you must contact Rakuten's Merchant Support at support-merchantmarketplace@mail.rakuten.com.

PAYOUTS AND FEES

Will there be a monthly fee for September 2020?

No. Monthly fees are waived for September.

When are payouts processed?

  • Your last payout before the marketplace closure will be September 8, 2020.

  • To ensure that refunds can be processed and shoppers have a positive experience, your final payout will be held for 45 days after September 15, 2020.

Rakuten apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. For additional information, please visit their Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Rakuten at merchants@marketplace.rakuten.com.

Requirements

Connection Requirements:

  • An active seller account with Rakuten.

  • Your Rakuten Store URL, API Authentication Key, and Marketplace Identifier

Order Import Requirements:

  • Include a Ship To address.

Connect a Rakuten Store to ShipStation

To connect your Rakuten store to ShipStation:

  1. Go to Account Settings.

    Closeup of Toolbar. The red box highlights the icon for Settings.

  2. Select Selling Channels from the left-hand sidebar, then choose Store Setup.

    Left-hand sidebar. Under Selling Channels, red box highlights Store Setup

  3. Click + Connect a Store or Marketplace.

    Closeup of Store Setup. Red arrow points to Connect a Store or Marketplace button.

  4. Select the Rakuten tile.

    rakuten_tile.png

  5. Enter your Rakuten Shop URL, Authentication Key and Marketplace Identifier (2-character country code, all lowercase.)

    Rakuten Authentication Key

    If you do not know your Authentication key, please contact Rakuten support at merchants@marketplace.rakuten.com.

  6. Click Connect.

After you've completed the connection steps, your store will be connected to ShipStation. You'll be taken to the store's Settings page to adjust the store-specific settings like branding, notification preferences, and product handling.

Available Features

ShipStation's integration with Rakuten supports the following standard features:

Key: Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes. = Supported; Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No. = Not Supported; Grey dash icon. Not applicable. = Does Not Apply

Common ShipStation Features

Feature

Supported?

Custom Statuses
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Customer Emails
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Customer Phone Numbers
Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Requested Service
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Payment Method
Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Discounts
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Identifies Gift Orders
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Internal Notes
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Notes from Buyer
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Order Weight
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Item Weight
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Item Images
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Item Options
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Item Warehouse Location
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Status Mappings

Status

Rakuten Status

Awaiting Payment

ProcessingPayment

Awaiting Shipment

NotShipped

Shipped

Complete

Cancelled

Cancelled

On Hold

Not Supported

Sent with Shipment Update

Field

Supported?

Status Update
Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Tracking Number
Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Carrier
Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Service
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Carrier Fee
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Note to Buyer
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Item Information
Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

This integration allows you to define the Status Mappings for the store connection.

ShipStation will import the customer email address and can send customer shipment notification and delivery emails.

ShipStation will import the customer phone number.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer at time of checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation is able to determine if an order was placed as a gift.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import notes left by the customer at time of checkout. Displayed as Customer notes in ShipStation's Legacy Layout.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will update the order on the selling channel to the Shipped, Fulfilled, or Completed status after a shipment or fulfillment is created.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the shipment tracking number.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the carrier used for the shipment.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the shipping service used for the shipment.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the carrier's cost for the shipping label.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include details about the specific line items in the shipment, which allows for partial shipment updates.

Integration Notes

Keep this in mind about ShipStation's integration with Rakuten:

  • ShipStation is not able to send emails for Rakuten orders. All customer notifications will be handled by Rakuten.

This integration allows you to define the Status Mappings for the store connection.

ShipStation will import the customer email address and can send customer shipment notification and delivery emails.

ShipStation will import the customer phone number.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer at time of checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation is able to determine if an order was placed as a gift.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import notes left by the customer at time of checkout. Displayed as Customer notes in ShipStation's Legacy Layout.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will update the order on the selling channel to the Shipped, Fulfilled, or Completed status after a shipment or fulfillment is created.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the shipment tracking number.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the carrier used for the shipment.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the shipping service used for the shipment.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include the carrier's cost for the shipping label.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include details about the specific line items in the shipment, which allows for partial shipment updates.

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