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How to Set a Shipping Cut-Off (Required Ship Date)

The Shipping Cut-Off setting defines the latest time ShipHero can receive an order and still ship it the same day, based on your team's processing turnaround and your carrier pickup schedule. ShipHero uses it to calculate each order's Required Ship Date. Set a different cut-off time for each shipping method to match your service level agreements (SLAs).

Before You Begin

Configure cut-off times on the Shipping > Methods page.

You can also set the required ship date with How to Use Automation Rules in ShipHero, adjust it manually on the order details page, or change it in bulk from the Manage Orders page.

Important

Shipping cut-off times are not the estimated delivery window set by a carrier service level.

Cut-off times are strictly enforced. When an order arrives after the cut-off, ShipHero assigns it a required ship date for the next available shipping day, regardless of urgency, unless you override it manually.

Depending on your account settings, you can sort orders by required ship date to work the most urgent orders first. When your warehouse capacity allows, you can always ship less urgent orders early. The dashboard also displays all orders due today based on their required ship date.

Shipping Cut-Off Time Examples

Configure cut-off settings alongside your carrier pickup times so your processing goals stay achievable. The examples below show how cut-off times work in practice.

Example 1: Standard Shipping Cut-Off

A team's standard turnaround from order import to label generation is 6 hours, and carrier pickup is at 4 PM. Set the shipping cut-off to 10 AM so same-day orders are complete before the 4 PM pickup.

Any order imported after 10 AM receives a required ship date of the next day.

Shipping cut-off set to 10 AM for standard same-day shipping

Example 2: Expedited Shipping Cut-Off

Some companies offer expedited shipping and processing times, usually with a fee at checkout. For these orders, extend the shipping cut-off later in the day and use custom order statuses so your operations team can identify the orders quickly.

In the example below, the shipping cut-off is set to 1:00 PM so the order can be processed the same day using an expedited shipping method.

Shipping cut-off extended to 1:00 PM for expedited same-day shipping

More Resources

  • ShipHero Public API

    Connect your tools and AI agents directly to ShipHero with the Public API. Build powerful integrations, automate workflows, and tap into real-time data using the AI tools you prefer, with the option for secure, read-only access for AI-driven insights without added risk.

  • ShipHero Academy

    Explore ShipHero Academy for certifications, deep-dive training, and expert-led courses on WMS and fulfillment. Build your expertise and help your team operate at a higher level.

  • Change Log

    Stay up to date with the latest improvements across ShipHero. The Change Log gives you a clear view of new features, enhancements, and fixes as they roll out—so you always know what’s new and what’s better.