What is a shipping label?
A shipping label is a document used to identify and transport a parcel or shipment. It contains information about the sender and the recipient, the contents of the parcel, its weight and dimensions, and any special instructions or requirements for transport.
Carriers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx use the shipping label to identify the parcel and transport it to its destination. The label is usually stuck to or attached to the parcel, so the carrier can scan and trace it along the way.
The shipping label is an important document in the transport process, because it makes sure the parcel is identified and reaches the right destination. That is why it matters to create the label correctly and check it before the parcel is sent.
Why do you need a shipping label?
A shipping label tells the carrier where the parcel needs to go and who is sending it. It also shows the tracking number and the details of your shipment (weight, length). Every shipping label is unique and can only be used for one shipment.
How do you create a shipping label yourself?
There are several ways to create a shipping label yourself, depending on the carrier you ship with and the shipping method you use. Carriers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx offer shipping labels. If you ship via ParcelParcel, you don't have to create a shipping label yourself.
When you ship via ParcelParcel, we automatically email you a shipping label. You can download it as soon as you create the shipment, and you also receive it as a PDF by email. You then print the PDF labels on A4 paper and stick them on your shipment.
You can also find your shipping label in your account. Put the label in a document sleeve on your shipment and your parcel is ready to go. We recommend a document sleeve: without one, the label can come off, and your shipment can get lost with it. It is also a good idea to write the tracking number on your parcel(s).
What do you do with your shipping documents after booking?
After booking, you receive the shipping documents by email, per tracking number. You can always find them under “My shipments” in MyParcelParcel as well. Below you can read which documents you get and what to do with each one.
Which shipping documents do you get?
Shipping labels from the carrier you chose.
Customs invoice, if your shipment enters or leaves the EU.
Extra customs documents, if you added them when booking.
Proof of Pickup, a collection receipt for your own records.
Shipping labels
These are your carrier's labels. How many pages you get depends on the type of shipment, the destination and the carrier. Sending more than one box? Then each box gets its own label. Make sure you put a different label on each box.
This is what a FedEx shipping label looks like. The label also tells you what to do with it: fold it along the line and put it in the document sleeve on your box.
Customs invoice
Is your shipment going to or coming from a country outside the EU, for example from the Netherlands to the United States? Then a customs invoice is required. Document shipments don't need one. In MyParcelParcel you can have the customs invoice created for you, or upload your own invoice. Your own invoice must always be in English. Sign it under “Signature”.
The customs invoice comes in four copies with your shipping documents. What do you do with those four copies? Put all four in the document sleeve on your box. If they don't fit, put one in and give the other three to the courier. They don't go inside the box itself.
How to fill in a customs invoice correctly is explained on our page about the commercial invoice.
Extra customs documents
When booking, you can also add extra customs documents, such as an Art Statement or an FCC document. We add them to your shipping documents, so you can print everything in one go. They go in the document sleeve together with the customs invoice.
Proof of Pickup
The Proof of Pickup is a collection receipt. Ask the courier to fill in and sign the form when they collect your shipment, with their licence plate and signature. Keep it yourself afterwards: it doesn't travel with your shipment. That way you have proof your shipment was collected, should the courier not scan it straight away.
Pickup or drop-off?
You usually have two ways to hand your shipment to the carrier:
Pickup: the courier collects your shipment at the address you give. DPD doesn't collect parcels by default, but you can add a pickup when booking.
Drop-off: you take your shipment to one of your carrier's drop-off points.
Read more about pickups on package pick-ups. Which drop-off points each carrier has in the Netherlands and Belgium is on our page drop-off points per carrier (in Dutch). Note: TNT has no drop-off points in the Netherlands and Belgium, and you can't drop off a DHL Express shipment in Belgium.
Ready for the courier in 3 steps
1. Print your documents. Download the PDF with your shipping documents from your email or from MyParcelParcel and print everything on A4.
2. Attach the documents. Put the shipping labels, customs invoices and any extra customs documents in a document sleeve and stick it on your box. No document sleeve? Ask the courier who collects your shipment for one. If you take your shipment to a drop-off point, you can ask there too, although they don't always have one.
3. Hand over your shipment. Give your shipment to the courier who comes to collect it, or take it to the drop-off point you chose. When the courier collects it, have them sign the Proof of Pickup. Taking a FedEx shipment to a drop-off point? Bring a valid ID. If your shipment is going to the United States, Canada, South or Central America or Australia, among others, leave the parcel open: it is checked at the drop-off point. The full list of countries is on the page drop-off points per carrier (in Dutch).
For more packing tips, see shipping boxes: which size and material.
Important points for shipping labels
Shipping a pallet? Put a label on the side of each pallet. Pallets are sometimes stacked, and this way the label stays visible.
Fill in your recipient's contact details. Something that still often goes wrong when sending a parcel is missing or incorrect contact details for the recipient. They are needed for customs clearance, or when the carrier can't find the address, so the carrier can get in touch with your recipient.
Problems with your shipping label
You can't open or print the PDF with your labels
Your labels are in a PDF file. If it won't open, install a PDF reader, such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. No printer? Print the labels at a copy shop or library, or ask someone near you.
There's a mistake on your label
See a mistake on your label, or want to change something? Don't stick the label on your parcel; contact us first via the contact page. We'll correct it for you.
Have you seen our carriers' packaging guidelines?
Our carriers have drawn up packaging guidelines. You can read the packaging guidelines of SkyNet, DPD, DHL, TNT, DSV and FedEx on our website (in Dutch). That way you know your parcel or pallet is packed properly. For help choosing a box, see our page on shipping boxes.
More about sending a parcel via ParcelParcel?
Read more about sending a parcel via ParcelParcel. Or contact one of our logistics specialists via live chat, email or by calling 085 877 16 56 (Netherlands) or 03 808 70 99 (Belgium). We're happy to help.
