What is a batch upload, and how does it work?
Tired of creating your orders one-by-one? With batch uploads you can create dozens or even hundreds of orders at once, in a fraction of the time.
When you have a list of parcels that you’d like to book with Sendle, you can put all the parcel info into a single spreadsheet and upload it to Sendle to create dozens or hundreds of parcels at once.
Getting started can feel daunting, but batch uploading is easy once you understand it. The trickiest part is filling out the spreadsheet for the first time, and this page will walk you through the it step by step.
How to create and upload batch orders
Step 1. Download the template and reference sheet
The batch uploader needs specific information for each order, so we’ve created a template you'll use to create your spreadsheet of orders. We’ve also created a reference sheet for you. The template is empty, but the reference sheet has an explanation and an example in each column.
You will need to use the right template, depending on the preferred units of measurement you’ve chosen in Account>Settings.
Metric
Download the Metric units template for batch uploading
Download the Metric units reference sheet for batch uploading
Imperial
Download the Imperial units template for batch uploading
Download the Imperial units reference sheet for batch uploading
Step 2. Fill out the template
You can use any spreadsheet software you like – we recommend Google Sheets, but Excel and Numbers are also good.
Enter each order in its own row, following the column headers. Use the reference sheet as a guide. (You can also check the Tips for filling out your batch upload template section below)
It’s a good idea to only create two or three orders with your first batch upload – that way it'll be easy to fix any errors or mistakes, and your next batch will be smooth sailing.
Heads up: Make sure you’re using the right template with your preferred units of measure. The best way is to check the headers in the ‘volume and weight’ column.
Step 3. Save your filled template as a CSV file
You can only upload CSV files, so you’ll need to save or export your spreadsheet as a CSV file. The exact steps will depend on your spreadsheet software, but here’s how it works.
- Open your spreadsheet and click File
-
Choose either Save as, Export, or Download.
Which one you see will depend on the program you’re using - Choose .CSV as the file format
- Give your file a unique name and save it somewhere you’ll be able to find easily
Step 4. Upload the file and check your orders
- From your Sendle dashboard, click Batch order
- On the batch upload page, click Select your CSV file
- Choose your file and click Upload
- Read through your order list to make sure the details are correct, and open any orders you aren’t sure about to double check.
If you have any orders with errors they'll be highlighted red in the order list, and orders with warnings will be yellow. To fix them, just click into each order and scroll through it – you’ll be able to see where the problem is.
We’ll also let you know if your batch orders don’t match your preferred units of measurement (you can either switch templates or change your preferred units in account settings).
Step 5. Edit your orders
If you need to make any changes to your orders, like editing the size, delivery option or even removing certain orders, you can do that now.
- Use the tick boxes to select the relevant orders
- Choose from the available options
- Click Update
Step 6. Confirm your orders and print your labels
When you’re ready to confirm your orders, click Create orders.
Your labels will be available in a single file so you can print them all at once, but the process of printing is the same: choose Cropped or Letter labels, click Download labels, then print them off.
Tips for filling out your batch upload template
The best way to fill out your template for the first time is to use the reference sheet as a guide. It has an explanation of each column, plus two examples – a domestic order and an international order.
Heads up: In Canada, we only have domestic available at this time.
If you'd rather just use this page, here are the main things to know.
Addresses
The columns in the CSV template match the fields you see when you book a parcel through the regular order form.
Remember to only enter the street number and street name in receiver_address_line1 – any additional information (such as level, unit or apartment number, or building name) goes in receiver_address_line2.
Volume and weight
Enter the weight, length, width, and height, and when you upload your CSV file we'll calculate your parcel’s volume and choose the right parcel size for you. Make sure the template you use is the same as your preferred units of measurement (metric or imperial), otherwise we won’t be able to upload your csv file.
Delivery instructions
The delivery_instructions column is where you put instructions for the driver who delivers your parcel. This can be anything from 'Leave in a safe place' to 'Yodel when you get here' (we can't guarantee they'll follow that one, though).
This column is not for selecting 'pickup', or choosing a delivery speed.
This column is also not for arranging specific days or times for delivery (we can't do that) or requesting that the driver phone on approach (we can't do that either).
Numbers
You can enter as many or as few decimal points as you like, just make sure you're using the correct measurement (e.g. centimetres or kilograms).
If you enter a number that begins with a zero, your spreadsheet software might delete that first zero – which is a problem for things like mobile numbers and reference numbers. To fix the problem, just add an apostrophe at the start of the number, like this:
‘040 4123 123
HS codes for international parcels
You must include the correct HS code in the contents_hs_code column if you send parcels internationally. This is standard practice for almost all countries importing and exporting goods through customs. Check out this article for more info, including how to look up HS codes for your parcels.
Leaving columns blank
If you leave the pickup_date column blank, your orders will be booked for pickup on the next business day.
If the address you’re sending to doesn’t have a state (e.g. an English address) you can leave receiver_state_name blank.
Optional columns
The following columns are optional, so you can leave these blank without problems.
receiver_company
receiver_address_line2
receiver_contact_number
customer_reference
Domestic parcels
Leave the following ‘International only’ columns blank when sending a parcel within Canada.
country_of_origin
customs_description
contents_value
International parcels
Leave the following ‘Domestic only’ columns blank when sending a parcel overseas.
delivery_instructions
Batch order limits
Your 'batch order limit' is the maximum number of orders you can include in a single CSV file. It’s based on your billing threshold and increases as your sending volume increases.
When you create orders (manually or using a batch upload) the cumulative cost of your orders is displayed on the Billing page in the Sendle app under Pending charges, and your current billing threshold is shown under Next payment.
When your pending charges reach your billing threshold, Sendle activates a payment. As soon as that payment goes through your billing threshold increases, and your batch order limit increases to match.
This process repeats as your sending volume grows, until you reach the maximum billing threshold and batch order limit for your plan type.
You can see your upload limit on the Batch upload page:
Batch order limit too low? No worries, just split your orders across multiple CSV files. There’s no limit to the amount of CSV files you can upload in a day
And, good news – if you upload multiple CSVs it’s likely that you’ll hit your billing threshold, which will raise your batch order limit for next time.
Batch order limits by plan type
When you first start sending parcels your billing threshold will be set to an initial amount, depending on your Sendle plan type. As your sending volume increases your limit will also increase, until it reaches the maximum amount.
Standard
The starting billing threshold is $10, then $30 and increasing up to a maximum of $500
The starting batch order limit is 3 orders per CSV, then 5 orders and increasing up to a maximum of 100 orders
Premium
The starting billing threshold is $10 then $40 and increasing up to a maximum of $1,250
The starting batch order limit is 5 orders per CSV, then 10 orders and increasing up to a maximum of 200 orders
Pro
The starting threshold is $10 then $120 and increasing up to a maximum of $4,000
The starting batch order limit is 15 orders per CSV, then 25 orders and increasing up to a maximum of 300 orders