How to create a Package Level Detail Report with a shipment export.
You can create a Package Level Detail (PLD) report using ShipStation's custom export reports.
Carriers can use your PLD to analyze how you ship and then determine which services best suit your business needs and help you develop a strategy to save on postage rates.
A PLD typically includes the following fields:
-
Destination Postal Code
-
Origin Postal Code
-
Billed weight
-
Current service levels
-
Package
-
Length, Width, Height
ShipStation's shipment export fields include all of this information except billed weight and origin zip codes. However, ShipStation does export the Shipment Weight entered for the order in ShipStation and you can filter your report based on Ship From Location if you have locations with different postal codes.
First, you'll create and save the PLD export format, which you can then use anytime you wish to export a PLD. When you export your PLD, you'll then filter by Ship Date (and Ship From Location, if needed) and choose the saved PLD export format.
Create the PLD Export Format
-
Go to the Shipments tab, then click the Export Shipments.
-
Select the Export Shipments option.
-
Click Create a New Format in the pop-up.
-
Enter an Export Format Name.
-
Select the following fields from the Available Fields column:
-
Ship To - Postal Code
-
Shipment - Weight
-
Carrier - Service Selected
-
Service - Package Type
-
Shipment - Length
-
Shipment - Height
-
Shipment - Width
Weight and Dimension Units
Both weight and dimensions will export in the units used by your ShipStation account. Weight uses either ounces or grams (not pounds or kilograms).
-
-
Add the selected fields to the Fields to Export column by clicking the right arrow button.
The report will export the fields into the CSV in the sequence listed in the Fields to Export column. You can arrange these fields in any order you prefer. To do so, select a field in the list then drag and drop into the sequence you require. You can also rename these fields here by clicking the edit icon.
-
Click Save.
-
Close the Export Shipments pop-up window.
Apply Filters and Export Your Report
Once you've saved your PLD export format, you can use it any time you need a new report.
In the Shipments tab:
Once you've saved your PLD export format, you can use it any time you need a new report.
Once complete, the CSV file will download to your browser's default download location. You may then send to your carrier, or make any adjustments to the CSV and save it (like adding an Origin Postal Code column) before sending.
If you are using ShipStation's Legacy Layout, follow the instructions below to create and export a PLD report.
First, you'll create and save the PLD export format, which you can then use anytime you wish to export a PLD. When you export your PLD, you'll then filter by Ship Date (and Ship From Location, if needed) and choose the saved PLD export format.
Create the PLD Export Format
-
Go to the Shipments tab, then click the Export menu and choose Shipped Orders.
-
Click Create a New Format in the pop-up.
-
Enter an Export Format Name.
-
Tick the checkbox for Show Advanced Options.
-
Select the following fields from the Available Fields column:
-
Ship To - Postal Code
-
Shipment - Weight
-
Carrier - Service Selected
-
Service - Package Type
-
Shipment - Length
-
Shipment - Height
-
Shipment - Width
Weight and Dimension Units
Both weight and dimensions will export in the units used by your ShipStation account. Weight uses either ounces or grams (not pounds or kilograms).
-
-
Add the selected fields to the Fields to Export column by clicking the right arrow button.
The report will export the fields into the CSV in the sequence listed in the Fields to Export column. You can arrange these fields in any order you prefer. To do so, select a field in the list then drag and drop into the sequence you require. You can also rename these fields here by clicking the edit icon.
-
Click Save Export Format.
-
Close the Export Shipments pop-up window.
Apply Filters and Export Your Report
Once you've saved your PLD export format, you can use it any time you need a new report.
In the Shipments tab:
-
Click the Ship Date filter and select the date range of shipments to export.
-
Add a Ship From Location filter, if you have multiple ship from locations with different postal codes.
-
Click the Export menu and choose Shipped Orders.
-
Select the PLD export format in the Export Shipments pop-up screen.
-
Click Export.
Once you've saved your PLD export format, you can use it any time you need a new report.
Once complete, the CSV file will download to your browser's default download location. You may then send to your carrier, or make any adjustments to the CSV and save it (like adding an Origin Postal Code column) before sending.