Parcelforce Worldwide

Parcelforce Worldwide is a leader among parcel delivery services in the UK. Through ShipStation API’s integration with Parcelforce Worldwide, you can ship with both domestic and international services. Contact Parcelforce Worldwide today to register for an account!

This guide provides developers with the details needed to build Parcelforce Worldwide shipping capabilities into your ShipStation API workflows.

If you are using or plan to use the Parcelforce services included with ShipStation API, rather than connecting your own Parcelforce Worldwide account, see our Parcelforce from ShipStation guide.

Requirements

Connection Requirements

Shipping Requirements

Connect Account

You can connect a Parcelforce Worldwide account using the POST method to the /v1/connections/carriers/ endpoint, or via the ShipStation API Dashboard.

For instructions on connecting Parcelforce Worldwide via the ShipStation API dashboard, go to our Parcelforce Worldwide help article.

Connect via Endpoint

carrier_name: parcelforce

POST /v1/connections/carriers/:carrier_name

Copy

HTTPcURLJavaScriptNodeJSPHPPythonRubyC#JavaGoSwiftObjective-CPowerShell

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
POST /v1/connections/carriers/parcelforce HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json
{
  "nickname": "My Parcelforce Account",
  "account_number": "1234",
  "password": "pa55word",
  "sftp_username": "sftp_user",
  "sftp_password": "pa55word",
  "contract_number": "12345",
  "department_id": "12",
  "test_account": false
}

A successful connection will return a response with the carrier_id, which you'll use for any requests for this account going forward.

Rates

Parcelforce Worldwide does not send estimated rates to ShipStation API. Your Parcelforce account contact can provide you with the details about your contracted rates.

Service Details

Available Parcelforce Worldwide services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.

Parcel Weight limit for all services (domestic and international): ≤30KG

Max parcel dimensions:

Domestic Services

International Services

Shipping to Northern Ireland

Starting 1st May 2025, changes to Parcelforce products and services will take effect in accordance with the Windsor Framework. Parcelforce intends to support all movement types for shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The data requirements for each movement type may vary. We will provide more details in this section as soon as they are available. Parcelforce customers sending parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland (GB-NI ) will need to provide additional data. The parcel movement's type will determine what data is required: Business-to-Consumer (B2C), Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C), Consumer-to-Business (C2B), or Business-to-Business (B2B).

Movement Indicators​

While not required to create a label successfully, you can declare the movement_indicator in the windsor_framework_details object. If you know the shipper and recipient UKIMS numbers, you should declare them in the tax_identifiers object in both the ship_to and ship_from objects.

TIP: You may find it helpful to see the Products Object section of our International Shipping page.

Data Requirements​

NOTE: If Content is not provided, then the default value merchandise is passed in EDI. DM users can set business papers by MPM Business Logic.

Additional Windsor Frameworks Information for Parcelforce Worldwide

Parcel Contents Record: One or more Parcel Contents Records must be present for each Generic Parcel Information Record for International shipments to ALL destinations for Customs clearance, and for GB to NI shipments for Windsor Framework declarations. One record should be present for each type of content within each parcel (International shipments) or consignment (GB – NI Windsor Framework shipments). This record type is not applicable to GB Domestic, NI-to-GB, or NI-to-NI shipments.

Return Services

Parcelforce Worldwide supports creating return labels with domestic services. Please note that return labels will not include an Address Line 2. We send Address Lines 1 and 2 to Parcelforce, and this information is recorded in their system but does not print on the label. The return label will only include Address Line 1, city, postal code, and country code.

Review the Return Shipping Labels page for details on creating return labels with ShipStation API.

Packages

The following carrier package types are available for Parcelforce Worldwide services:

Adding Shipment Insurance

Parcelforce Worldwide supports adding carrier insurance to your shipments. Review the Parcel Insurance page for details on adding shipment insurance with ShipStation API.

Label Support

Label Reference Fields

Parcelforce Worldwide does not support adding custom label messages.

Multi-Package Labels

Parcelforce Worldwide supports multi-package shipments for most services.

Label Branding

Parcelforce Worldwide does not support label branding.

Voiding Labels

Parcelforce Worldwide supports voiding labels with ShipStation API.

Paperless Labels

Parcelforce Worldwide does not support paperless labels.

Customs Declarations

Parcelforce Worldwide returns a CN23 form to ShipStation API based on the shipment's customs information.

ShipStation API will provide a commercial invoice from Parcelforce when required. Print three of these and include them with the shipment.

Delivery Confirmation

All shipments require a signature upon delivery unless the No Signature Required (NSR) option has been applied to the shipment.

See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.

Advanced Options

Parcelforce Worldwide supports certain advanced options, which you can add to the shipment object when creating a shipment or label.

To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information about a carrier's advanced options, use the list carrier options call.

Manifests

Parcelforce requires all shipments to be manifested and the manifests to be printed.

See our Manifests page for more details about creating manifests with ShipStation API.

Scheduling Pickups

Parcelforce Worldwide does not support scheduling pickups with ShipStation API. Instead, you can arrange a pickup through Parcelforce Worldwide directly or drop packages off at a local post office or a Parcelforce Worldwide depot.

Service Points (PUDO)

Parcelforce Worldwide does not currently support shipping to service points.

Tracking

ShipStation API's integration with Parcelforce Worldwide supports receiving tracking updates. Review our ​Track a Package guides​​ for details on tracking with the ShipStation API.

Disconnecting Your Parcelforce Worldwide Account

See the Disconnect section in our Delete a Carrier page for the process of deleting or disconnecting a carrier from ShipStation API.