How Do Shipping Barcodes Work in 3pl Fulfillment?

Have you ever received a customer complaint due to a warehouse shipment error? Have you ever experienced customs clearance delays due to shipping barcode issues? Or has your inventory count taken twice as long due to a messy internal barcode system? The root cause of these pain points is often that the little shipping barcode is not properly understood and applied. Shipping barcodes are the key to successfully completing orders, tracking inventory, and achieving error-free delivery.

As third-party fulfillment experts, Stone3PL knows that barcodes are the silent commander of efficient logistics. Let us take you deep into the world of shipping barcodes and solve the problems that are causing headaches for B2B sellers and e-commerce companies.

What are shipping barcodes? Why are they important?

Shipping barcodes are machine-readable codes (usually 1D barcodes) printed on shipping labels, product packaging or invoices. It contains a unique identifier (such as order number, product SKU or tracking ID) that enables scanners and software to track items at every stage of the delivery process.

Shipping barcodes are machine-readable graphics that encode key package information (destination, tracking number, service type, etc.). Together with scanning devices, they enable full automated tracking from warehouse sorting to final delivery, and are the cornerstone of speed and accuracy.

Shipping Barcodes are machine-readable labels used to identify and track packages, and usually contain the following information:

Product SKU or item number

Order number

Shipping address and recipient information

Carrier code and shipping method

Customs clearance and tax information (for international orders)

These barcodes are sent to the shipping label Scanner is quickly identified in the warehouse and transportation links, enabling automated processing and real-time tracking.

The main role of shipping barcodes:

Inventory accuracy: Link products to their exact location in the warehouse. Human errors in manual processes can lead to costly mistakes. Barcodes can significantly reduce picking and shipping errors.

Order processing: Automate picking, packaging, and sorting to reduce human errors.

Shipping efficiency: Ensure that carriers scan packages correctly for real-time tracking. Shipping and receiving scanners can capture data instantly, reducing processing time and increasing productivity.

Return management: Streamline reverse logistics by instantly identifying returned items.

End-to-end visibility: Real-time inventory and package monitoring using unique barcodes at every step from warehousing to transportation.

For rapidly expanding businesses, manual tracking is no longer sustainable. Shipping barcodes eliminate guesswork, save time, and reduce costly errors such as wrong shipments or lost inventory.

How shipping barcodes work in 3PL Fulfillment?

Receiving Inventory

When your products arrive at our warehouse, we assign a unique barcode (if one doesn’t already exist) and scan it into our warehouse management system (WMS). Instant receipt registration, purchase order verification, and inventory updates are done with near-zero error rates.

Order Fulfillment

Once an order is placed, our team scans barcodes to find the right product, verify quantity, and securely pack it.

Generates shipping barcode labels that contain the carrier’s tracking number, destination address, and order details.

Shipping and Tracking

Carriers use shipping label scanners to log packages into their networks, providing real-time updates to you and your customers. Every scan updates the status. You and your customers can see the tracking number and where your package is in real time.

Return Processing

Scan returned items to update inventory levels and automatically trigger a refund or exchange.

Frequently Asked Shipping Barcode Questions and Answers

What’s the difference between a product barcode and a shipping barcode?

Product barcodes (e.g. UPC, EAN) identify the item itself. Shipping barcodes (e.g. SSCCs and tracking labels are used to track packages throughout their journey. Both are crucial for end-to-end reliability.

How can I ensure my Chinese supplier's barcodes are compatible with US systems?

Use GS1-compliant barcodes (e.g., EAN-13 for international products). Stone3PL can verify barcode compliance during the receiving process to avoid customs or scanning issues.

Are there any special barcode requirements for international shipments, especially those involving products from China?

Yes, shipping labels must contain a clear, scannable carrier barcode in the language and formatting of the destination country. Stone3PL has the expertise to process global barcodes of China. products and international shipping labels to ensure smooth customs clearance and delivery of your cross-border parcels.

How to choose the most suitable barcode type and label?

Small parcel shipping labels: High-density Code128 barcodes are commonly used, with large information capacity.

Logistics boxes/pallets: ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcodes are commonly used, which are more wear-resistant.

Ordinary thermal printers can be used for small batches, but professional logistics environments require industrial-grade thermal transfer printers and special weather-resistant label materials to ensure that barcodes are still clearly readable during transportation, temperature and humidity changes. Stone3PL warehouses are equipped with top-level printing and scanning hardware to save you the trouble of equipment investment and maintenance.

How does Stone3PL use barcodes to help you succeed?

At Stone3PL, barcodes are integrated into every stage of our fulfillment process, providing you with unparalleled accuracy, speed and transparency:

Warehousing and inventory management

After your goods arrive at our warehouse, we will scan the barcode of each product and enter it into our advanced warehouse management system (WMS). This ensures real-time, accurate inventory levels. Say goodbye to "false inventory" or unexpected stock-outs. Our shipping and receiving scanning technology ensures quick and accurate receipt and placement of goods, optimizing space utilization and increasing convenience.

Efficient Picking and Packing

When an order arrives, our system guides our team to the exact location of the item based on the item's barcode. During the picking and packing stages, each item is scanned again to ensure accuracy before being prepared for shipment. This significantly reduces mispicks and ensures the right product reaches the right customer.

Accurate Shipping Label Production

We generate compliant shipping barcode labels for each package. These labels contain critical information, including the tracking number, destination address, and, if your shipment is originating from China, often the barcode for the Chinese product, ensuring smooth international shipping.

Real-Time Tracking and Visibility

Once a package leaves our facility, shipping label scanners at each transfer station record the package's journey. This continuous scanning provides real-time updates that are accessible to you and your customers. With Stone3PL, you can get full visibility, reduce "where is my order" queries, and improve customer satisfaction.

Let Stone3PL be the engine of your efficient logistics

Shipping barcodes are small, but they are an indispensable cog in the efficient operation of modern supply chains. Understanding their principles and applying them correctly can bring you significant accuracy improvements, cost savings, and soaring customer satisfaction. However, building and maintaining a professional barcode application system requires continuous investment and professional management.

This is the value of Stone3PL! As a professional third-party fulfillment service provider, we standardize and automate complex warehousing, packaging, transportation and barcode management processes. You only need to focus on core business development and leave the back-end logistics fulfillment problems to us:

Worry-free warehousing: safe and intelligent warehousing space, advanced WMS management.

Accurate and efficient fulfillment: from order receipt to labeling (shipping barcode), packaging, and delivery, the entire process is barcoded and automated, extremely fast and accurate.

Global compliant transportation: professionally handle all kinds of shipping barcode labels to ensure compliance and efficiency of domestic and foreign transportation, including complex barcode of china products requirements.

Cost optimization: sharing professional equipment (such as top shipping label scanner) and resources to reduce your overall logistics costs.

Are you ready to upgrade your logistics? Barcodes are more than just labels, they are the key to improving efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. As a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) fulfillment partner, Stone3PL combines cutting-edge technology with personalized support to help your business thrive.