Migration Guides
Switching from Shippo to ShipWave: migration guide
A simple plan to switch with minimal downtime.
Why Switch from Shippo to ShipWave?
Shippo has served the shipping community well, but ShipWave offers advantages that make switching worthwhile for many businesses. Key reasons to migrate include: deeper USPS Commercial Plus discounts (up to 54% off vs Shippo's rates), no monthly fees for core features, a more intuitive interface designed for speed, and better real-time rate comparison across all carriers. If you're finding Shippo's rates or interface limiting, ShipWave provides a compelling alternative.
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before starting your migration, gather essential information: 1) Export your address book from Shippo (Settings → Address Book → Export). 2) Note your most-used carrier services and any custom rules. 3) Document any integrations or API connections you use. 4) Download shipping history for reference. 5) Check any scheduled pickups or pending shipments. 6) Notify your team about the transition timeline.
Step 1: Create Your ShipWave Account
Visit shipwave.app and create your free account. The process takes less than 2 minutes: enter your email, create a password, and verify your email. Unlike Shippo, ShipWave doesn't require credit card information to start comparing rates. Once verified, you'll be prompted to enter your primary ship-from address, which becomes your default origin for all shipments.
Step 2: Import Your Address Book
ShipWave makes address migration simple. From your Shippo export (CSV format), you can bulk import addresses into ShipWave. Go to Settings → Address Book → Import, upload your CSV, and map the columns (name, street, city, state, zip, country). ShipWave will validate all addresses during import and flag any that need correction. This typically takes under a minute for address books with fewer than 1,000 entries.
Step 3: Connect Your Carrier Accounts (Optional)
ShipWave provides excellent discounted rates through our negotiated accounts, but if you have your own carrier accounts with special pricing, you can connect them. Navigate to Settings → Carrier Accounts to add your UPS, FedEx, or DHL account numbers. USPS Commercial Plus pricing is automatically available through ShipWave—no separate account needed. Most users find ShipWave's built-in rates are competitive with or better than their negotiated rates.
Step 4: Configure Your Shipping Preferences
Set up ShipWave to match your workflow: 1) Default package dimensions for your most common box sizes. 2) Preferred carrier preferences (if you want to prioritize certain carriers). 3) Label format (4×6 thermal or 8.5×11 paper). 4) Automatic insurance thresholds. 5) Signature confirmation defaults. These settings save time by pre-populating common values on every shipment.
Step 5: Set Up Integrations
If you were using Shippo integrations with e-commerce platforms, set up equivalent connections in ShipWave. We support Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and other major platforms. Go to Integrations and follow the OAuth flow for your store. Order sync happens automatically once connected, pulling in new orders for easy label printing.
Step 6: Test with Real Shipments
Before fully switching, run a parallel test period. Ship a few real packages through ShipWave while keeping Shippo available as backup. Compare: rate accuracy, label printing experience, tracking updates, and delivery performance. This 1-2 week testing period builds confidence and identifies any workflow adjustments needed. Most users find ShipWave's rates 10-20% lower for identical services.
Step 7: Train Your Team
If you have staff handling shipping, walk them through ShipWave's interface. Key differences from Shippo: the rate comparison is more visual and easier to scan, batch shipping works from a single queue, and the mobile-friendly design works well for warehouse scanning. Create a simple process document mapping "how we did X in Shippo" to "how we do X in ShipWave" for reference.
Step 8: Complete the Switch
Once testing is successful, make ShipWave your primary shipping platform. Keep Shippo accessible for 30 days in case you need to reference old shipments or print return labels for packages shipped through Shippo. After 30 days, you can safely close your Shippo account or downgrade to their free tier if you want to maintain access to historical data.
Common Migration Questions
What happens to my tracking numbers? All tracking numbers remain valid regardless of which platform created the label—they're carrier-managed. Can I still track Shippo shipments? Yes, tracking works on any tracking website. Do my rates transfer? No, you'll use ShipWave's rates, which are typically better. What about pending shipments? Complete any in-progress shipments in Shippo before switching.
Post-Migration Optimization
After switching, optimize your new workflow: 1) Review rate comparisons weekly to understand carrier pricing patterns. 2) Set up saved addresses for frequent recipients. 3) Use batch shipping for order fulfillment efficiency. 4) Configure email notifications for tracking updates. 5) Explore ShipWave features you didn't have in Shippo, like advanced dimensional weight calculations and multi-carrier rate shopping.
FAQs
Will I lose my shipping history when I switch from Shippo?
Your Shippo shipping history remains in your Shippo account, accessible anytime. ShipWave starts fresh with your new shipments. We recommend exporting your Shippo history to a CSV before migrating for your records. All tracking numbers continue to work—they're managed by carriers, not shipping platforms.
Are ShipWave rates really better than Shippo?
In most cases, yes. ShipWave offers USPS Commercial Plus rates with up to 54% discounts, often deeper than Shippo's. Our UPS and FedEx rates are also highly competitive. The best way to verify is to compare: enter the same package details in both platforms and see the difference. Users typically save 10-20% on identical services.
Can I use both platforms during the transition?
Absolutely, and we recommend it. Run parallel shipments for 1-2 weeks to compare rates, experience the workflow, and build confidence before fully switching. There's no conflict between having both accounts active—just avoid printing duplicate labels for the same package.
How long does the Shippo to ShipWave migration take?
Most users complete the migration in under a day for basic setup, including address import and preference configuration. The recommended testing period adds 1-2 weeks. Full migration with integrations and team training typically takes 2-3 weeks for larger operations, but small shippers can be fully switched within a few hours.
Do I need to notify my customers about switching shipping platforms?
No, customers never see which platform you use—they only see carrier tracking information. Your packages will arrive the same way regardless of whether labels are printed through Shippo or ShipWave. The switch is entirely internal to your operations.
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