If you generate and purchase shipping labels using CommentSold, then you have the option to create shipping manifests.
Create a CommentSold shipping manifest to combine eligible USPS packages under one master barcode, allowing USPS to scan the manifest instead of scanning each package individually.
Shipping manifests can be generated manually or automatically. They are available for shipping labels purchased through CommentSold and can help speed up USPS pickups when processing a high volume of packages.
| Important: Shipping labels and manifests must be generated according to the same-day requirements described below for the manifest to be valid. |
Use the table of contents below to navigate to specific sections of this article:
Shipping Manifest Requirements and Behavior
- The Generate Manifest setting must be enabled under Setup > Fulfillment.
- Shipping labels must be created on the day the manifest is generated.
- For manually generated manifests, eligible orders must be marked as printed and fulfilled when the manifest is generated.
- A package already included on a manifest will not be included again on another manifest created later that day.
- Multiple manifests can be generated on the same day.
- First-Class and Priority Mail packages may appear on separate manifests.
- Packages not included on a manifest must be scanned individually by USPS.
- After USPS scans the manifest, tracking should update to Accepted within approximately 24 hours.
- Tracking may also display Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending while USPS has received the package but has not yet processed it at a post office or sorting facility.
Enable Shipping Manifests
Before you can generate a shipping manifest, whether manually or automatically, you will need to enable the feature in CommentSold.
- Select Setup in the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard.
- Select Fulfillment from the options listed at the top of the page.
- Scroll and locate the Shipping Manifest toggle at the bottom of the page.
- Select this toggle so that it appears as Enabled.
Auto-generated manifests are enabled by default. You can learn more about automatic shipping manifests below.
Manually Generate a Shipping Manifest
You can manually generate a manifest at any time. The manifest will include all shipping labels that were generated that day and fulfilled up to the point of generation.
If you've already created a manifest that day, it will not include any already included in a previous manifest. You should print and keep the manifest and associated packages together to give to your postal worker at the same time.
- Select Orders/Fulfillment in the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard.
- Process and print shipping labels for orders as you usually would.
- Select Shipping Manifests in the top-right corner, above the order listing.
- Select Create New Shipping Manifest. CommentSold will generate a manifest from fulfilled orders that include labels printed on the current day.
- Select Print Manifest to view and print the shipping manifest and master barcode for the day.
Creating Multiple Manifests in One Day
You can create multiple manifests throughout the day. Each new manifest includes eligible packages that were not already included in a previous manifest.
Give all manifests created that day to the USPS employee so each group of packages can be accepted.
Note: If you are shipping both First-Class and Priority Mail packages, CommentSold creates a separate manifest for each applicable mail class. Print and provide each manifest to USPS.
Automatic Shipping Manifest Generation
CommentSold can automatically generate a daily shipping manifest using the Generate Daily Manifest After Hours setting.
Automatic generation helps ensure that eligible packages have a manifest generated on the same calendar day that their shipping labels are printed.
Automatically generated manifests can also include unfulfilled orders, allowing those orders to be fulfilled later while remaining associated with the manifest.
Disable Automatic Generation of Shipping Manifests
When Generate Daily Manifest After Hours is enabled, CommentSold will generate a manifest for all orders you printed shipping labels for that calendar day. This is because USPS requires that shipping manifests and associated labels be printed on the same calendar day.
By auto-generating manifests, CommentSold ensures you are able to use a valid shipping manifest for your orders.
Automatically generated manifests will also include unfulfilled orders. This allows you to fulfill the orders at a later time, but still include those orders on the shipping manifest.
If you wish to disable automatic shipping manifest generation, you can do so at any time using the steps outlined below.
- Select Setup in the side menu of your CommentSold dashboard.
- Select Fulfillment from the options listed at the top of the page.
- Scroll and locate the Generate Daily Manifest After Hours toggle under Shipping Manifest.
- Disable this toggle.
FAQs
What is a shipping manifest?
A shipping manifest is a document with a master barcode representing multiple outgoing packages. USPS can scan the master barcode instead of scanning each package individually.
How do I create a shipping manifest in CommentSold?
Go to Orders/Fulfillment > Shipping Manifests > Create New Shipping Manifest, then select Print Manifest.
Do I need to enable shipping manifests first?
Yes. Enable the Shipping Manifest setting under Setup > Fulfillment before creating a manifest.
Can CommentSold automatically generate shipping manifests?
Yes. Enable Generate Daily Manifest After Hours under Setup > Fulfillment to automatically generate daily manifests.
What packages are included in a manually created manifest?
A manually created manifest includes eligible shipping labels generated that day and orders fulfilled up to the time the manifest is created.
Can I create more than one shipping manifest per day?
Yes. You can create multiple manifests throughout the day. Each new manifest includes eligible packages that were not already included on a previous manifest.
What happens if USPS arrives before I finish fulfilling all my orders?
Generate a manifest for the packages that are ready and give it to USPS with those packages. You can generate another manifest later for additional eligible packages.
What should I do with packages that are not on the manifest?
Keep packages that are not included on the manifest separate and tell the USPS employee that they are not on the manifest. USPS will need to scan those packages individually.
Do First-Class and Priority Mail packages use the same manifest?
No. CommentSold creates separate manifests for applicable First-Class and Priority Mail packages.
When should I print the shipping manifest?
Print the manifest after creating it and keep it with the packages included on that manifest for USPS pickup.
What happens after USPS scans the manifest?
Tracking should update to Accepted within approximately 24 hours. It may also show Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending while USPS processes the packages.
How do I see which packages are included on a manifest?
Open the Shipping Manifests page and select the manifest you want to view. The details page shows the packages, orders, tracking numbers, and customer information associated with the manifest.
Can an unfulfilled order be included on an automatically generated manifest?
Yes. Automatically generated manifests can include unfulfilled orders, allowing those orders to be fulfilled later.
Can I disable automatic shipping manifest generation?
Yes. Go to Setup > Fulfillment and disable Generate Daily Manifest After Hours.
Why didn't my shipping manifest generate?
Check that Generate Manifest is enabled under Setup > Fulfillment and that the applicable shipping labels were created on the day the manifest was generated. For manually generated manifests, eligible orders must also be marked as printed and fulfilled.