Shipping internationally requires precise documentation to ensure packages clear customs without delay. ShipHero automates this process by determining which carriers support Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) and which require physical printouts.
Table of Contents
Which Carriers support ETD?
ShipHero categorizes carriers into two groups based on how they process customs data at the moment a shipment is processed.
Carriers with Full Electronic Support
For these carriers, ShipHero transmits customs data digitally. This method increases speed and reduces paper waste.
- FedEx: Uses Electronic Trade Documents (ETD). ShipHero transmits the data directly to the carrier.
- UPS: Data is submitted via the InternationalForms API.
- Canada Post & Purolator: These carriers provide digital customs URLs that ShipHero processes automatically.
- DHL Express: ShipHero generates the required customs data internally and transmits it to DHL.
- SendCloud and Passport
Carriers Requiring Printed Documentation
Carriers such as USPS (via Endicia/Shippo) or XDelivery may not support full electronic submission. In these instances, ShipHero uses the following workflow:
- Template Generation: ShipHero generates a professional PDF invoice including the company logo, item descriptions, HTS codes, and values.
- Automatic Printing: The system attaches the PDF to the shipment. When the shipping label prints, the commercial invoice triggers automatically.
To reprint a commercial invoice for an existing shipment, navigate to the Order Details page and locate the customs_pdf file in the shipments section. You can view, download, or reprint the exact document generated for that order.
Printing Behavior and Hardware
By default, ShipHero distinguishes between the shipping label and the commercial invoice to ensure optimal print quality and regulatory compliance.
Default System Behavior
For most carriers, ShipHero is configured to separate document types based on their intended use:
- Shipping Labels: These are sent to your Thermal Label Printer.
- Customs Documents/Commercial Invoices: These default to your Standard Invoice Printer (8.5x11). This ensures that detailed line items and customs declarations remain legible for border agents.
Carrier-Specific Exceptions
Certain carriers have unique configurations that bypass the default behavior. Understanding these exceptions prevents confusion when locating printed documents:
- Canada Post and Purolator: These carriers are configured to print customs documents directly on the Label Printer by default.
- FedEx International: To comply with international regulations, ShipHero automatically triggers three copies of customs images for FedEx shipments.
If you prefer Canada Post or Purolator customs documents on standard 8.5x11 paper, contact ShipHero Support to enable the feature flag print_customs_docs_as_invoice must be enabled by ShipHero Support.
Summary of Documentation Flow
| Feature/Carrier | Print Destination | Default Frequency / Detail |
| Standard Customs Docs | Standard Invoice Printer | Default standard for most carriers. |
| Canada Post / Purolator | Thermal Label Printer | Default behavior unless feature flag is active. |
| FedEx Customs Images | Label or Invoice Service | 3 copies generated automatically. |
Pro Tip: Audit Your Workstation Settings
To ensure international orders are processed efficiently, audit your Workstation Settings in the ShipHero desktop application. Verify that both a Label Printer and an Invoice Printer are correctly assigned to your specific station. If your Canada Post labels are consuming excessive thermal paper for customs information, contact ShipHero Support to toggle the print_customs_docs_as_invoice flag for a standard 8.5x11 layout.