Understand how ShipStation syncs orders, labels, and tracking with your Fourthwall shop
ShipStation is a third-party platform that streamlines self-fulfillment. When connected to Fourthwall, it lets you import orders, buy and print labels, and automatically sync tracking details back to your dashboard.
This article covers how the integration works, what syncs, what doesn’t, best practices, and how to set it up.
What ShipStation does
When you integrate ShipStation with Fourthwall, you get a centralized workflow for shipping your self-fulfilled orders:
Imports orders – Self-fulfilled Fourthwall orders appear in ShipStation automatically. Expect a short delay; new orders sync within about 24 hours.
Label purchase and printing – Buy and print labels using carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others directly from ShipStation.
Tracking sync back to Fourthwall – Once a label is created in ShipStation and the tracking number enters “In transit,” Fourthwall automatically marks the order as shipped and sends a shipping notification to the supporter.
Unified order management – Manage batches, packing slips, and shipping queues from one place if you fulfill across multiple channels.
What ShipStation doesn’t do
A few things are strictly controlled by Fourthwall and won’t reflect changes made in ShipStation:
Checkout shipping rates – Shipping methods and pricing shown to supporters are configured in Fourthwall, not ShipStation.
Automated fulfillment – ShipStation is only for self-fulfilled products. Fourthwall’s own fulfillment partners bypass ShipStation entirely.
Real-time edits to orders – Address changes, cancellations, quantity adjustments, and variant changes made in ShipStation do not sync back to Fourthwall. Always make edits in your Fourthwall dashboard before printing labels.
Setting up ShipStation integration
1. Open your Fourthwall Dashboard and go to Settings > Apps > ShipStation.
2. Enter your API Key and API Secret from ShipStation (found under API Keys in your ShipStation account).
3. Click Connect to ShipStation.
Once connected, the app will show as "Active" and you can choose the ShipStation store you want to sync with.
Note: You can disconnect anytime by clicking Disconnect under "Connection."
Data synchronization flows
Fourthwall and ShipStation sync in two directions, but not symmetrically. Here’s the breakdown.
➡️ Fourthwall to ShipStation (push)
The following updates originate in Fourthwall and sync to ShipStation automatically:
Shipping address edits
Order cancellations and partial cancellations
Variant changes (only before the order ships)
These sync instantly.
Why this matters: Editing anything directly in ShipStation creates mismatches. For example, an address edited in ShipStation will not correct the address in Fourthwall. Supporters may see outdated info in their order status or email notifications.
⬅️ ShipStation to Fourthwall (pull)
ShipStation sends back tracking data only.
When a label is created and tracking updates:
The order is marked Shipped in Fourthwall
Supporters receive an automatic shipping notification
Order status updates are handled by Fourthwall based on the carrier’s tracking progress
Note:
- Using “Mark as Shipped” manually in ShipStation does not sync to Fourthwall.
- Product changes, cancellations, quantity updates, and address edits from ShipStation do not sync back.
Sync timing
Immediate sync: Cancellations, variant updates, and address edits made in Fourthwall.
Up to 24 hours: New orders syncing into ShipStation.
Automatic: Tracking info once ShipStation generates a label and the shipment is in transit.
Best practices
To keep your workflow clean and avoid sync mismatches:
- When creating products, select I’m shipping orders myself to control which carriers and services you’ll use.
- Make all order edits in Fourthwall before generating the label in ShipStation.
- Use ShipStation if you manage multiple shops or carriers and want everything consolidated in one place.