Alibaba

How to add an Alibaba store to ShipStation, what features are available, other need-to-know details, and troubleshooting tips.

Alibaba.com is a one-stop platform that reduces the barriers to starting, running, and growing an ecommerce business. Everything small- and medium-sized businesses need to source and sell locally and globally can be found on Alibaba.com, including payment, logistics, and trade data verification services. ShipStation integrates directly with your Alibaba account so you can import your orders and manage shipments. Once shipped, ShipStation will notify your Alibaba account with the order's shipment data.

Alibaba Requirements

Connection Requirements:

  • An active account with Alibaba.

  • Set Authorization timeframe for store connection

Order Import Requirements:

  • Must include a Ship To address.

Connect an Alibaba store to ShipStation

To connect your Alibaba store to ShipStation:

  1. Select the Alibaba tile.

    Alibaba logo on square tile button
  2. From the pop-up, click the link in the first step and select an Authorization time preference.

    Red box highlights "Click here to get started" link in Step 1 of Alibaba connection.

    Click Authorize and return to ShipStation.

  3. Click Connect to finish the process.

After you've completed the connection steps, your store will be connected to ShipStation. You'll be taken to the store's Settings page to adjust the store-specific settings like branding, notification preferences, and product handling.

Available Features for Alibaba Integration

The ShipStation integration with Alibaba supports the following standard features:

Additional Features for Alibaba

The ShipStation integration with Alibaba allows for the following additional features:

Feature

Description

Custom Authorization Length

You have the freedom to choose the length of your own authentication tokens, including 1, 3, and 6-month periods. You will need to reconfigure and choose a new length after the preexisting token expires.

Proof of Shipment

ShipStation will send a document-style “image” to Alibaba.com prior to every shipment notification. This record is kept by Alibaba.com for fraud review and reconciliation.

This integration allows you to define the Status Mappings for the store connection.

ShipStation will import the customer's email address with the order and can send customer shipment confirmation and delivery emails, which are configured in your Store Settings.

ShipStation will import the customer phone number.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer at time of checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation is able to determine if an order was placed as a gift.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import notes left by the customer at time of checkout. Displayed as Customer notes in ShipStation's Legacy Layout.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

Status UpdateTracking NumberCarrierServiceCarrier Fee

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

Item Information

Additional Details about the Alibaba Integration

  • One shipment per order. You cannot split orders into multiple shipments.

  • Alibaba does not require a postal code to exist in the shipping address on their orders.

This integration allows you to define the Status Mappings for the store connection.

ShipStation will import the customer's email address with the order and can send customer shipment confirmation and delivery emails, which are configured in your Store Settings.

ShipStation will import the customer phone number.

ShipStation will import the shipping method chosen by the customer at time of checkout.

ShipStation will import the payment method used to pay for the order.

ShipStation will import discount and coupon information for the order.

ShipStation is able to determine if an order was placed as a gift.

ShipStation will import internal notes or order activity from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import notes left by the customer at time of checkout. Displayed as Customer notes in ShipStation's Legacy Layout.

ShipStation will import the total order weight from the selling channel.

ShipStation will import the weight for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import an image URL for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import item options (such as color or size) for each line item in the order.

ShipStation will import a product stock location for each line item in the order.

Status UpdateTracking NumberCarrierServiceCarrier Fee

The shipment update ShipStation sends to the selling channel will include any Notes to Buyer set on the order in ShipStation.

Item Information