> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aeoral.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate and Manage Courier Billing in Shiipp

> Learn how Shiipp calculates package fees by weight tier, generates invoices for courier partners, and manages payment status and billing history.

Shiipp calculates charges for courier partners automatically based on the weight of each package and the rate tiers you configure. Once a billing period closes, you can generate a preview, apply adjustments, publish the invoice to the courier's dashboard, and record payment — all without leaving Shiipp.

<Note>
  This guide is for **Managers and Admins**. Rate configuration requires the Admin role. Generating and publishing invoices requires at least the Manager role.
</Note>

## How Billing Works

Shiipp uses a **weight tier** model. You define a set of weight ranges, each with a flat fee. When an invoice is generated, every package in the billing period is matched to the tier that covers its actual weight, and the corresponding fee is applied.

<Warning>
  A package that does not fall within **any** configured weight tier receives a fee of **\$0.00**. It still appears in the invoice, but contributes nothing to the total. Make sure your tiers cover the full range of package weights you handle — gaps in coverage mean unbilled packages.
</Warning>

<Accordion title="Example weight tier table">
  | Weight range | Flat fee |
  | ------------ | -------- |
  | 0 – 5 LBS    | \$5.00   |
  | 5 – 15 LBS   | \$10.00  |
  | 15 – 30 LBS  | \$18.00  |
  | 30 LBS+      | \$25.00  |

  These are illustrative values. Your actual tiers are configured in **Accounting > Rate Configuration**.
</Accordion>

You can also add an **air freight rate** — a flat per-pound or per-kilogram surcharge applied on top of the tier fee. This is configured per courier and is optional.

**Global vs. courier-specific rates:** Global default rates apply to all couriers unless you define a custom rate table for a specific courier. Custom rates always take precedence.

***

## Configuring Rates

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Rate Configuration">
    Go to **Accounting > Rate Configuration** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose global or courier-specific rates">
    To edit rates that apply to all couriers by default, stay on the **Global Defaults** tab. To set rates for a specific courier, select that courier from the dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add, edit, or delete weight tiers">
    Use the rate table to manage tiers:

    * Click **Add Row** to create a new weight range. Enter the start weight, end weight, and flat fee.
    * Click any existing row to edit its values inline.
    * Click the **delete** icon on a row to remove that tier.

    Make sure your tiers cover the full range of package weights you handle. Gaps in coverage can cause packages to go unmatched during invoice generation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy global defaults to a courier (optional)">
    If you want a courier's rates to start from the global defaults and then be customized, click **Copy Global Defaults** while viewing that courier's rate table. This populates their table with the current global values, which you can then modify.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the air freight rate (optional)">
    Enter a value in the **Air Freight Rate** field to add a per-unit surcharge on top of tier fees for this courier. Leave the field blank to skip this surcharge.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save your changes">
    Click **Save**. Updated rates apply to any invoices generated after this point. Previously published invoices are not retroactively recalculated.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Generating an Invoice

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Courier Bills">
    Go to **Accounting > Courier Bills** and select the courier you want to invoice.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the billing date range">
    Enter a **Start Date** and **End Date**. Shiipp includes all packages logged within this range, based on their intake date.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the invoice preview">
    Click **Generate Invoice Preview**. Shiipp:

    1. Fetches all packages in the date range for this courier
    2. Matches each package to the appropriate weight tier
    3. Applies any air freight surcharge
    4. Calculates total fees

    The preview displays a full breakdown before anything is published.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the invoice summary">
    Check the summary panel for:

    * **Warehouse details** — the billing entity (your warehouse name, address, and contact information)
    * **Courier details** — the receiving entity being invoiced
    * **Total packages** included
    * **Total weight** (LBS and KG)
    * **Per-tier breakdown** showing how many packages fell into each rate tier and the subtotal for each
    * **Total fees** due across all tiers
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply manual adjustments (optional)">
    Click **Add Adjustment** to include line items that fall outside the standard tier calculation:

    * Transportation surcharges
    * Packaging materials
    * Discounts or credits

    Each adjustment requires a description and an amount (positive for charges, negative for credits).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish the invoice">
    Click **Publish**. The invoice status changes to **Published** and becomes visible to the courier in their own dashboard. They can view the full breakdown and download a copy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mark as Paid">
    When you receive payment, open the invoice and click **Mark as Paid**. Shiipp records the payment date and updates the status to **Paid**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Invoice Statuses

| Status        | Meaning                                         |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**     | Being prepared — not yet visible to the courier |
| **Published** | Courier can view and download the invoice       |
| **Paid**      | Payment has been recorded                       |

<Warning>
  Publishing an invoice is not reversible through the standard interface. Double-check your date range, package count, and adjustments before clicking **Publish**.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  Couriers can view their own bill history and download invoices directly from their dashboard. They only ever see their own records — never another courier's billing data.
</Tip>

***

## Invoice Ninja Integration

If your Shiipp account is configured with an Invoice Ninja connection, you can push published invoices to Invoice Ninja for external accounting. Look for the **Sync to Invoice Ninja** button on the invoice detail page. Contact your Shiipp administrator to enable this integration.