How it works (without the jargon)
Instead of coding, you describe your shipping rules in everyday language. ParcelOffice understands these statements, checks each order’s facts (weight, destination, contents, value, your chosen carriers), and generates the correct labels and documents. If anything changes - like a Saturday delivery or a restricted item - your rule covers it.
Ten real‑world rule examples
Large Letter vs Small Parcel
“If the cart fits in a Large Letter (A4 docs under 750g) and destination is UK mainland, send via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Large Letter; otherwise auto‑escalate to small parcel.”
Labels:
- Case A (≤750g, letter dims): 1 × Royal Mail Tracked 24 Large Letter (4×4)
- Case B (>750g or too thick): 1 × Royal Mail Tracked 24 Small Parcel (4×6)
EU IOSS with Paperless Trade
“For France/Spain retail orders ≤2kg with IOSS present, use DDP with paperless trade; attach CN22 if carrier requires fallback.”
- 1 × DPD Classic DDP (EU IOSS) (4×6) + Paperless trade docs
- CN22 only if paperless not accepted for that lane
Dangerous Goods (Batteries)
“Ship orders containing lithium‑ion batteries (UN3481, ≤2 per box) via UPS Worldwide Saver with dangerous goods ticked; include DG note and commercial invoice.”
- 1 × UPS Worldwide Saver (DG permitted) (4×6)
- DG Handling Note + Commercial Invoice ×3 (paperless where supported)
Perishables & Weekend Cut‑offs
“If the order is perishable and the delivery day would be Monday, hold and print the label for Tuesday dispatch; use next‑day pre‑12 with Saturday upgrade when available.”
- 1 × DHL Parcel UK Next Day Pre‑12 (4×6)
- Saturday flag if ETA would otherwise slip to Monday
Heavy Parcels & Palletisation
“For any order >25kg or volumetric weight >25kg, split into equal parcels under the limit and use pallet if more than 6 parcels.”
- 3 × DPD Next Day (4×6, unique tracking) for split parcels
- 1 × Palletways Economy 1/2 Pallet (label set + BOL) if >6 parcels
Age‑Restricted Products
“Age‑restricted products (alcohol, blades) to UK: Royal Mail Tracked 24 with Age Verification; to ROI: DPD Ireland with ‘Adult signature required’.”
- UK: 1 × Royal Mail Tracked 24 AV (4×6)
- ROI: 1 × DPD Ireland Domestic (Adult Signature) (4×6) + CN23 if non‑EU origin
Lockers & Home Fallback
“If customer selected collection at locker, route to nearest InPost locker with medium box; otherwise default to home delivery with DPD Pickup if no one home.”
- Locker: 1 × InPost Locker (Medium) (label + QR)
- Home fallback: 1 × DPD Home (4×6) + Pickup redirect code
High‑Value US Orders (DDP)
“US orders >$200 value: FedEx International Priority DDP with $1,000 insurance; attach 3 invoices + include HS codes from catalog.”
- 1 × FedEx International Priority (DDP) (4×6)
- Commercial Invoice ×3 (paperless where supported)
- Insurance endorsement embedded in label metadata
Multi‑Box Kits
“If an order contains a ‘multi‑box kit’ SKU, print one master label plus child parcel labels and a branded return label inside the master.”
- 1 × Master (‘Parent’) label: DHL eCommerce Domestic (4×6)
- 2 × Child (‘Contents’) labels (internal scan labels)
- 1 × Pre‑authorised Royal Mail Tracked 48 Return (in‑box)
Order Consolidation
“Consolidate multiple orders to the same UK customer within a 2‑hour window into one shipment; print one label and include merged packing slip.”
- 1 × Evri Next Day (4×6) for the consolidated package
- Merged packing slip auto‑printed; individual order tracking numbers cross‑referenced
Why natural language beats manual rules
- Explain intent, not code: You describe outcomes; AI handles edge‑cases and carrier quirks.
- Safer updates: Edit a sentence to change behaviour - no scripts to break.
- Fewer reprints: Clear constraints reduce mis‑routed parcels and rework.
Try ParcelOffice’s natural‑language rules
We’ll help encode your first rules and test them against recent orders. Most teams see label mistakes drop within a week.