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Using Prepaid Shipping Labels with CustomCat

🚨 Important

This feature is only available via the CustomCat API or Order Desk Integration.
Stores must be approved by CustomCat to access the necessary endpoint.

👉 To request access, contact CustomCat Support.

What Are Prepaid Shipping Labels?

Prepaid shipping labels are shipping labels purchased by the merchant from marketplaces such as TikTok, Amazon, Etsy, or Walmart, where the shipping cost has already been paid by the merchant.

How Do Prepaid Shipping Labels Work with CustomCat?

Step 1: Merchant purchases the shipping label from the marketplace (e.g., TikTok, Etsy, Amazon)
Step 2: Merchant submits the order to CustomCat and includes the PDF URL of the prepaid label using the shipping_label field in the API
Step 3: CustomCat fulfills the order using the provided label

Is This Service Available for All Products?

Yes — with some limitations:

CustomCat can fulfill any product using a prepaid label, but certain products (like canvases, posters, airframes, and pillows) must be shipped one per label. These cannot be grouped into one package.

📦 We recommend reviewing CustomCat's Fulfillment Times to ensure you're in compliance with your marketplace’s SLA requirements.

Requirements for Using Prepaid Shipping Labels

To use this service, the following conditions must be met:

  • 🔐 Merchant must be approved by CustomCat for prepaid label use

  • 🔁 Order must be submitted via CustomCat API or Order Desk

  • 📬 Only USPS labels are currently supported

  • 📄 Label must be a publicly accessible PDF URL with at least 5 days until expiration

  • 🧾 Label size must be approximately 4x6 inches

  • 📦 Each order can include only one prepaid label, even if it contains multiple items
    ❗️Exceptions: Canvas, Posters, Airframes, and Pillows must be ordered separately, one per label

🔐 Mandatory Fields in API Request:

  • carrier = must be USPS

  • label_url = direct PDF download URL

  • shipping_country must be US (not “United States” or any other variation)

✅ Optional Field:

  • tracking_number: If included, the tracking number will display in your CustomCat Dashboard and can assist with support inquiries.

How to Submit an Order with a Prepaid Label (CustomCat API)

After CustomCat has enabled prepaid labels for your API store, use the following structure in your POST request:

"shipping_label": {
"carrier": "USPS",
"label_url": "https://url_to_shipping_label.pdf",
"tracking_number": "YourTrackingNumberHere"
}

Example Full API Request:

{
"shipping_first_name": "Joe",
"shipping_last_name": "Testing",
"shipping_address1": "1300 Rosa Parks Blvd",
"shipping_city": "Detroit",
"shipping_state": "MI",
"shipping_zip": "48216",
"shipping_country": "US",
"shipping_email": "no-email@customcat.com",
"shipping_phone": "555-555-5555",
"shipping_method": "Economy",
"items": [
{
"catalog_sku": "39515",
"design_url": "https://myimage-url.com/front_design_order.png",
"design_url_back": "https://myimage-url.com/back_design_order.png",
"quantity": 1
},
{
"catalog_sku": "48301",
"design_url": "https://myimage-url.com/front_design_order.png",
"quantity": 3
}
],
"shipping_label": {
"carrier": "USPS",
"label_url": "https://url_to_shipping_label.pdf",
"tracking_number": "9400110200881234567890"
},
"sandbox": "0",
"api_key": "your key"
}

How to Submit a Prepaid Label Order (Order Desk)

If you're using Order Desk, use these Checkout Data Fields (not item data fields):

  • ShippingLabel → URL to your prepaid shipping label (PDF)

  • ShippingLabelCarrier → USPS

Pricing

The cost to submit a prepaid shipping label to CustomCat is:

💵 $1.00 per package

Enterprise users may be eligible for discounted rates. Contact Support for more info.

🧠 Tips for Success

  • ✅ Use correct package dimensions — Underestimating weight or size may cause USPS to charge extra or reject the shipment. See estimated weights and package dimensions here.

  • ✅ Use the correct carrier — At this time, we only accept USPS prepaid labels.

  • ✅ Ensure label does not expire too soon — CustomCat must be able to access the label until the package ships.

📢 Customer Service Policy

CustomCat will not be responsible for:

  • Carrier-related delivery failures

  • Lost or undelivered packages

  • Contacting USPS on your behalf

  • Replacing packages lost due to invalid or expired prepaid labels

❗️ CustomCat will still refund for product-related issues.
Label service orders cannot be replaced if delivery fails due to label issues.