Australia Post eParcel

Australia Post is the leader in business and e-commerce shipping in Australia. Australia Post eParcel account holders can use ShipStation to track, ship, and manage all their Australia Post shipments.

Our Australia Post integration now lets you create return labels, ship internationally, and ship wine as well!

Australia Post eParcel Integration Requirements

Connection Requirements:

Manifest Requirements:

Australia Post requires a manifest for each day's shipments.

To manifest your Australia Post eParcel shipments, use ShipStation's End of Day process. Instructions are included in the Find and Close Unmanifested Shipments section below.

Failure to manifest will result in additional fees!

Australia Post will add a surcharge to your monthly invoice for non-manifested shipments.

Connect an Australia Post eParcel Account to ShipStation

To connect your Australia Post eParcel account to ShipStation, you must first register for a Shipping and Tracking API with Australia Post. You can then connect your account to ShipStation.

Important

These steps require an Australia Post developer account. If already registered, or have a MyPost account, please log in with those details.

Register for Australia Post API Access

  1. Log in to your developer account and go to the Australia Post Register for a Shipping & Tracking API Key page. Click the Register for a Key button.

    Screenshot of Australia Post Developer Centre Shipping and Tracking API Key registration page.
  2. Fill in the form with the appropriate information.

    Separate multiple account numbers with commas to add more than one account at a time.

    Click Next.

  3. Select Yes to see the drop-down of Platform Partners. Find ShipStation in the drop-down menu. Check the box to confirm consent and click Next.

    Australia Post API Registration pop-up with option to access API via Platform Partner set to Yes.
  4. Select your state/territory from the drop-down menu.

    You may add more account numbers in the Comment box if they did not all fit on the first step.

    Australia Post Shipping and Tracking API Registration form submission page.
  5. Click Send to finish the form.

    You will receive an email at the address specified on the first page of the form. Follow the instructions in the email to complete the setup.

    If you have any issues with the form or setup email, please contact the Customer Connectivity team at customer_connectivity@auspost.com.au.

Connect your Account to ShipStation

  1. Log in to ShipStation in a new tab or browser window.

  2. Select Australia Post eParcel and click Connect.

    Australia Post eParcel logo. Button that reads, Connect
  3. Enter your Australia Post Account Number, API Key and API Secret into the corresponding fields.

    ShipStation Register Your Australia Post Account form.
  4. Click Connect.

Adding eParcel Sub-Accounts to ShipStation

If your Australia Post eParcel account includes sub-accounts that are linked to the main account, you can also connect those accounts to ShipStation. The sub-accounts can use the same API key as the main account as long as each sub-account has a unique account number.

To locate the sub-account number in your Australia Post eParcel account:

  1. Log into your Australia Post eParcel account.

  2. Go to Parcel Send > Top Tight Corner > Next to name with account Location ID > Select Account > New Shipment > Sender Account Number.

    Note

    If you do not have a sub-account number yet, you must add the sub-account to the Australia Post Developer Portal.

    Review the How to add an account to an existing API key section of Australia Post's Getting Started guide for details on how to do this. For assistance, contact the Australia Post technical team at 180 028 361.

  3. Follow the steps in the Connect section above to connect your sub-accounts to ShipStation.

Once connected, you can then choose services from each account for your shipments and the labels will be billed to the sub-accounts.

Available Features for Australia Post eParcel

ShipStation's integration with Australia Post eParcel supports the following standard features:

Australia Post eParcel Additional Features

ShipStation's integration with Australia Post eParcel allows for the following additional features:

Feature

Description

Return Services

Australia Post eParcel requires you to use one of the returns services to create a return label:

  • eParcel Post Returns

  • Express eParcel Post Returns

Wine Delivery Services

Australia Post eParcel allows you to ship wine using the following services:

  • Parcel Post Wine

  • Parcel Post Wine + Signature

  • Express Post Wine + Signature

See Australia Post’s Guide to Wine Deliveries or the PDF Wine Delivery guide for information on how to use this service.

Pre-Sign International Shipments

You can now pre-sign your international shipments by adding a name into the Sign Customs As field in ShipStation’s international settings.

Rates include GST and surchages

Australia Post eParcel rates include Goods and Services Tax (GST), fuel surcharges, and security surcharges.

Include Australia Post branding on labels

In the carrier settings for Australia Post eParcel in ShipStation, choose whether the Australia Post logo and branding appear on the label. This is useful when you are using stationery not already branded for Australia Post.

Setting to include Australia Post branding on labels checked in ShipStation connection window.

This is not related to ShipStation's Label Branding feature, where your store logo is printed on the label. Store logos are not currently supported on Australia Post eParcel shipping labels.

Manifesting Required

Australia Post requires you to manifest your shipments (both outgoing and return shipments).

To avoid fees, close and manifest your shipments by the 4th Sunday of every month.

For more information about Manifests and Order Summary Reports, visit the Australia Post User Guide PDF page.

Label Messages

Label Messages 1 and 2 will print to sender reference fields on an Australia Post eParcel label.

Label Message 3 will print to the Delivery Instruction field.

Multi-Package available for Domestic Shipments

Multi-Package shipping is available for all Outbound Domestic Shipments. It is not available for international services or eParcel returns.

Identify unmanifested eParcel shipments with Email Notifications

Ask your Australia Post Account Manager or eParcel Consultant to set your account up so you receive notification emails for errors and for successful manifest transfers. This will help you to identify any problems as they occur.

Contact eParcel consultants here: eparcelsupport@auspost.com.au

Set confirmation type with Automation Rule

You can use Automation Rules to set the delivery confirmation for Australia Post shipments to Authority to Leave and No Authority to Leave.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

Multi-Package Shipping

You can connect this carrier to ShipStation multiple times using different accounts and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.

Australia Post eParcel Service Details

Australia Post eParcel Domestic

  • Parcel Post

  • Parcel Post w/ Signature

  • Express Post eParcel

  • Express Post

  • Express Post w/ Signature

  • National Full Rate

  • Express National Full Rate

  • Parcel Post Wine

  • Express Post Wine + Signature

  • Metro - 3W03

  • Metro with Signature- 3W05

  • Metro - 3W33

  • Metro with Signature - 3W35

Australia Post eParcel Domestic Return Services

  • Express eParcel Post Returns

  • eParcel Post Returns

Australia Post eParcel International Services

  • Global Logistics - NZ Express

  • Global Logistics - NZ Express + Signature

  • Global Logistics - NZ Supply Express

  • Global Logistics - NZ Supply Express + Signature

  • International Standard

  • International Standard w/ Signature

  • International Economy

  • International Economy w/ Signature

  • International Express - Merchandise

Australia Post eParcel Package Types

  • Package

  • Custom Packages

Australia Post eParcel Confirmation Options

  • No Authority to Leave

  • Authority to Leave

  • Safe Drop

Australia Post On Demand Services

ShipStation's integration with Australia Post eParcel includes their same-city, same-day and on demand services. These services cater to high-volume merchants who need to fulfill orders on the same day or the next day within the same city.

To find out if you are eligible for these services, contact your Australia Post Manager.

Requirements

  • Register for Shipping & Tracking API from Australia Post

  • Meet with the Australia Post Implementation team to discuss onboarding requirements

  • Integrate with the API, update your website & operations processes to cater for Australia Post OnDemand shipments

Services

Service Code

Service Name

Printing & Booking Window

AFT

OnDemand Afternoon

Mon-Fri until 11:00

AFTID

OnDemand Afternoon - ID Required

Mon-Fri until 11:00

TON

OnDemand Tonight

Mon-Fri until 15:00

TONID

OnDemand Tonight - ID Required

Mon-Fri until 15:00

SAT

OnDemand Saturday

Sat until 11:00

SATID

OnDemand SaturdaynDemand Saturday - ID Required

Sat until 11:00

Manifests

Consignments must be manifested before the service cut-off booking window times. Failing to do so will result in the consignment being rejected. You'll see an error message and a fee will be charged to your account.

For Australia Post OnDemand shipments, you must manifest these shipments separately from your eParcel shipments to avoid any processing delays from Australia Post.

Australia Post eParcel Customs Forms Details

The customs form generated and printed through ShipStation will depend on which international service you have selected along with a combination of dimensions, weight, and value.

  • CN22 form = A6 size

  • CN23 form = A5 size

Review the table below to see which services result in which customs forms. For Standard and Express services, review the additional details below the table to see which conditions the CN22 form requires, as this can affect which printing layout you will need.

If the requirements are not met for International Express and Standard (without Signature), the labels will print as CN23 forms.

International Service

Customs Form Generated

International Economy

CN22

International Standard (w/o Signature) *

CN22, CN23

International Economy with Signature

CN22

International Express - Merchandise *

CN22, CN23

The following criteria must be met for Standard and Express shipments to generate a CN22 form:

  • Parcel dimensions are ≤90cm (L + W + D combined)

  • The greatest dimension is ≤60cm

  • Total consignment value is ≤$500 AUD

  • Parcel weight is ≤2kg

  • Destination country eligibility must be met, as outlined here.

International Standard shipments must also meet the following criteria to generate CN22 forms:.

  • No Signature on Delivery

  • Destination country eligibility must be met, as outlined here..

Find and Close Unmanifested Shipments

You have until the 4th Sunday of the month to manifest your shipments and avoid a fee on your invoice.

Australia Post eParcel Integration Notes

  • The recipient's Ship To address has a 40-character limit for each address line. If you exceed this limit, the label won't show any characters beyond 40.

  • By default, Australia Post eParcel shipments do not have a confirmation type selected.

  • For international shipments with Australia Post eParcel, you must select Service Confirmation as the confirmation type.

  • As of 1 November 2023, an Over Maximum Limit Fee applies to domestic parcels that exceed the maximum size and weight limits. Oversized parcels may be returned and will incur an Administration Fee of $50.00 (GST inclusive), in addition to the Return to Sender charge specified in your contract. Oversized parcels that are out for delivery may incur an Over Maximum Limits Fee of $100.00 (GST inclusive), in addition to the normal delivery charge for that parcel.

    See Australia Post Size and Weight Guidelines and Australia Post Business Pricing Updates for further details.

  • ShipStation does not return estimated delivery dates for Australia Post. Refer to Australia Post's delivery guidelines for estimated delivery times.

  • ShipStation does not natively print the four label sheets. You can use our workaround using PDFs in Adobe Acrobat.

  • International shipments over $2,000 in declared customs value must include an Export Declaration Number (EDN) within their customs declaration within ShipStation.

  • You cannot edit the available services that appear for Australia Post eParcel in ShipStation. Instead, use the Update Shipping Services button in the Australia Post eParcel Settings screen (access by going to Settings > Shipping > Carriers > Your Carriers in ShipStation).

    We will request your approved services from Australia Post and update them automatically in ShipStation.

  • Unmanifested shipments will only appear in your account five days after the first scan event.

  • Australia Post eParcel does not support test labels.

Australia Post eParcel Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some common issues, potential causes, and troubleshooting tips.

Issue

How to Troubleshoot or Resolve

Price difference between the rate and the carrier fee

What it means: If you see a price difference between the rate and the carrier fee, it could be a fuel surcharge.

This AustraliaPost page explains fuel surcharges.

Error: Selected service is not compatible with other settings (package type, weight, size).

What it means: This error message may occur if you're trying to use an Australia Post service that was not approved for your parcel contract.

What to do: To resolve this issue, go to Settings > Shipping > Carriers & Fulfillment and click Settings for your Australia Post account. Click the Update Shipping Services button. This will update your service list to only show the services approved for your parcel contract.

Error: Your combination of suburb, state & postcode doesn't match. Please review and try again.

What it means: This error means the customer's address is not valid per Australia Post.

What to do: Compare the address with Australia Post's Find a postcode results and correct the address as needed.

Errors when creating an Australia Post manifest

What it means: Sometimes, these errors indicate a slow response from Australia Post that ShipStation was not able to process successfully, but the manifests are generated as expected on Australia Post's side.

What to do: If you have an eParcel account, log in and check your manifest history to see if the Australia Post manifest is available.

If you're not able to access the manifest there, contact ShipStation Support with the full text of the error and the date of the shipments you are trying to close. If you are trying to close a specific selection of shipments (instead of the full day), include the full list of the shipments.

Error: An unexpected error occurred.Show Admin Details{"Message":"An error has occurred.","ExceptionMessage":" Active carrier account for AustraliaPost not found with sellerProviderId=xxxxx.","ExceptionType"..."

What it means: This error appears if you created Australia Post eParcel shipments in ShipStation, then removed that instance of the AU Post eParcel account and reconnected another instance of the account. 

This causes the original AU Post connection to be no longer active on ShipStation's side so we can't close those shipments any longer.

What it means: Contact ShipStation Support for assistance.

Error: The shipment {shipment_id} cannot be modified or included in a new order, as the shipment is contained in an order currently being finalized. Australia internal system error has occurred when processing your request. Please attempt the request again at a later time, or email us at customer_connectivity@auspost.com.au if the problem persists.

What it means: This message indicates that the shipment has already been manifested or is in the process of being manifested.

Error: The action cannot be performed using the account number {ACCOUNT NUMBER} because the account has exceeded the credit limit and has been blocked. Please contact your Account Manager or email us at customer_connectivity@auspost.com.au.

What to do: You will need to contact Australia Post and have the block lifted against your account using the steps outlined in the error. This block generally takes 1-hour post-conversation to be lifted.

Once this has been done, refresh your carrier services and clear your browser cache.

Error: Phone entered is invalid 'shipments[0].from.phone'

What it means: The Ship From Location and the eParcel account phone number do not match.

What to do: Adjust your Ship From location phone number to match the eParcel account phone number.

Error: The transit cover amount cannot be greater than the total item contents value.

What it means: The Carrier Insurance amount is higher than the customs amount.

What to do: Change the insurance total to be equal to or less than the total customs declaration amount.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

Multi-Package Shipping

You can connect this carrier to ShipStation multiple times using different accounts and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.