Parcelforce Worldwide

Parcelforce Worldwide specializes in express deliveries to residential and business addresses in the UK. ShipEngine's integration with Parcelforce Worldwide supports the courier's domestic and international services. Parcelforce Worldwide is available in the UK.

Interested in shipping with Parcelforce Worldwide? Visit their website to enquire about a business account.

Parcelforce Worldwide Requirements

Connection Requirements:

  • An active account with Parcelforce Worldwide

  • Your Parcelforce ExpressLink username, password, and contract number

  • SFTP username and password (optional, but required for tracking within ShipStation API)

  • Department ID (optional: usually this is "1")

Shipment Requirements:

  • All shipments through Parcelforce Worldwide must include both a first name and last name in the Ship To and Ship From addresses as well as a Ship To Phone Number.

  • All shipments require both weight and dimensions.

  • You must generate sample labels with test credentials and have those sample labels approved by Parcelforce. Once approved, you can enter your production credentials to start creating real labels.

Manifesting Requirements:

  • Manifests are required for Parcelforce Worldwide shipments and must be printed. You can create your forms using ShipStation API's Manifests endpoint.

International Requirements:

  • Three printed copies of the commercial invoice (provided for qualified international shipments) must be included with the shipment. Parcelforce will also return a CN23 form to ShipStation API based on the shipment's customs information.

Connect a Parcelforce Worldwide Account to ShipEngine

Before You Get Started

You must generate sample labels with your test Parcelforce Worldwide account and send them to Parcelforce for approval before connecting your account with production credentials.

The following steps will guide you through connecting your test account and then your production account after the sample labels are approved.

To connect your Parcelforce Worldwide account to ShipEngine:

  1. Select the Parcelforce Worldwide tile:

    Parcel Force logo on tile with button that reads, "Connect".
  2. Enter your Parcelforce Worldwide ExpressLink Username, ExpressLink Password, and Contract Number into the corresponding fields.

    You do not need to enter the SFTP Username and Password at this time.

  3. Click the checkbox next to Test Account.

  4. Click Connect.

  5. Using the Parcelforce Worldwide test account, create a pack of sample labels using each Parcelforce Worldwide shipping service for which your account is approved.

    If you're unsure which services your account is approved for, or if you need guidance on what should be included on the sample labels, please contact your Parcelforce Worldwide account representative.

  6. Once Parcelforce Worldwide approves your sample pack, go back to the ShipEngine Connections page and click the Remove button next to Parcelforce Worldwide to remove the test account.

  7. Select Add a Carrier.

  8. Select the Parcelforce Worldwide tile.

  9. Enter your account information as you did in Step 4, but do not check the box next to "Test Account".

  10. Click Connect.

SFTP Username and Password

The SFTP Username and SFTP Password are not required but are necessary for auto-tracking to function in ShipStation API.

If you do not include the SFTP credentials, you can still create labels and track shipments through Parcelforce Worldwide directly.

Available Features for Parcelforce Worldwide

ShipStation API's integration with Parcelforce Worldwide supports the following standard features:

Additional Features for Parcelforce Worldwide

ShipStation API's integration with Parcelforce Worldwide allows for the following additional features:

Feature

Description

SMS and email notifications

To enable SMS and email notifications, you must include phone and email address values in the corresponding fields in the request:

"advanced_options": 

{

          "NotificationPhone": "5555555555", 

        "NotificationEmail": "example@email.com"     

 },

Ship to Jersey (Channel Island) using the Euro Economy service

You can now ship to Jersey (Channel Island) using the Euro Economy service from Parcelforce Worldwide.

Jersey is technically a territory of the UK, so shipments to Jersey require customs declarations according to Parcelforce’s documentation.

Saturday Delivery

You can include Saturday Delivery as an Advanced Option in your Parcelforce Worldwide label requests.

See Parcelforce Worldwide's page on Saturday Delivery for more information and restrictions.

Drop-off Options

After creating your shipping labels, arrange a pickup with Parcelforce Worldwide directly, or drop parcels off at a local Post Office Branch or Parcelforce Worldwide depot.

Package Dimensions

While international orders may need package dimensions, domestic orders do not. We recommend using package dimensions for all shipments.

Available Services, Packages, & Confirmation Options

Parcelforce Worldwide Domestic Services:

  • Express 9

  • Express 9 Courier Pack

  • Express 9 Secure

  • Express 10

  • Express 10 Courier Pack

  • Express 10 Exchange

  • Express 10 Secure

  • Express 10 Secure Exchange

  • Express 24

  • Express 24 Courier Pack

  • Express 24 Exchange

  • Express 24 Large

  • Express 24 Secure

  • Express 24 Secure Exchange

  • Express 24 Sunday

  • Express 24 Collection

  • Express 48

  • Express 48 Collection

  • Express 48 Large

  • Express 48 Large Collection

  • Express AM

  • Express AM Courier Pack

  • Express AM Exchange

  • Express AM Large

  • Express AM Secure

  • Express AM Secure Exchange

  • Express AM Secure (B2B)

  • Express PM

  • Express PM Exchange

  • Express PM Secure

  • Express PM Secure Exchange

  • Express Collect

  • Euro Priority Home (PO Boxes)

  • Parcel Rider

Parcelforce Worldwide International Services:

  • Euro Economy

  • Euro Priority

  • Euro Priority Pack

  • GlobalBulk Direct

  • Global Economy

  • Globalexpress

  • Globalexpress Envelope Delivery

  • Globalexpress Pack Delivery

  • Globalpriority

  • Globalpriority Returns

  • Globalvalue

  • Ireland Express

Parcelforce Worldwide Package Types:

  • Package

Confirmation Options:

  • Adult Signature

  • Delivery Confirmation

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation API will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

When an API call is made to the Rates endpoint, ShipEngine will return estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation API. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Shipment manifests and End of Day documents are submitted electronically to the carrier by ShipEngine.

Shipment manifests and End of Day documents are generated as PDF files that can be printed along with shipping labels. Because these documents are not electronically submitted, physical copies must be provided to the carrier.

ShipEngine can print your brand logo on shipping labels from carriers that support this feature. Add your logo in the ShipEngine Dashboard.

ShipEngine can include additional information on a shipping label that is specified in the label request, if supported by the carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

You can connect this carrier to ShipStation API multiple times using different accounts and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.

Parcelforce - Shipping to Northern Ireland (Windsor Framework)

Starting 1st May 2025, Parcelforce will support B2B not at risk, B2B at risk, B2C, C2B, and C2C movement types for shipping from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI), aligning with the Windsor Framework .

Parcelforce adjusted their shipping solution (EDI and API) to support sending parcels to Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

API Users: 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.

See the Gov.UK Guidance page about Declaring goods you bring into Northern Ireland 'not at risk’.

Windsor Framework Parameters

Parameter

Required by the carrier

Description

Movement Indicator

ICON_greencheck.png

B2B, B2C, C2B, or C2C

If no movement indicator is provided, the default is B2C.

Not-at-Risk flag

ICON_redx.png

Parcelforce will declare the shipment to be At Risk or Not At Risk. The carrier will choose Red or Green lane based on the provided values.

  • Shipment movement indicator

  • UKIMS number has been declared when appropriate

  • The specific description and value of the contents declared and whether other required information is provided.

  • Broadly speaking any B2B shipments without UKIMS that are valued at more than £135 would constitute Red lane. 

  • HMRC CDS will notify Parcelforce if customs charges are to be charged back to the sender due to Red lane.

Sender UKIMS Number

ICON_greencheck.png

Required only for B2B.

It can be the UKIMS number of either the Sender or Recipient.

Receiver UKIMS Number

ICON_greencheck.png

Required only for B2B.

It can be the UKIMS number of either the Sender or Recipient.

Data Expectations

Movement Indicator

Requirements

B2B parcels with UKIMS authorization

  • Movement Indicator (value: B2B)

  • UKIMS Number for Sender or Receiver

  • Recipient EORI Number (one of these must be associated with the UKIMS)

  • Sender EORI Number (one of these must be associated with the UKIMS)

  • Parcel

    • Parcel Weight

    • Parcel Value

    • Parcel Currency

  • Product

    • Product Description

    • Product Value

    • Product Country

    • Product Weight

    • Product Quantity

    • Product Harmonised Code

  • Content.

    Possible values: business papers, mixed, merchandise

    Content Default

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

  • Optional: LicenceNo/CertificateNo

  • Optional: Content Type - Possible values: Gift, Sample.

B2B parcels without UKIMS authorization

  • Movement Indicator (value: B2B)

  • UKIMS Number for Sender or Receiver

  • Recipient EORI Number (one of these must be associated with the UKIMS)

  • Sender EORI Number (one of these must be associated with the UKIMS)

  • Parcel

    • Parcel Weight

    • Parcel Value

    • Parcel Currency

  • Product

    • Product Description

    • Product Value

    • Product Country

    • Product Weight

    • Product Quantity

    • Product Harmonised Code

  • Content Type: Gift, or Sample.

    Content Default

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

  • Optional: LicenceNo/CertificateNo

B2C/C2C/C2B parcels

  • Movement Indicator value: B2C, C2C. or C2B

  • Parcel

    • Parcel Weight

    • Parcel Value

    • Parcel Currency

  • Product

    • Product Description

    • Product Value

    • Product Country

    • Product Weight

    • Product Quantity

    • Product Harmonised Code

  • Content - Possible values: business papers, or merchandise.

    Content Default

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

  • Optional: LicenceNo/CertificateNo

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.

Parcelforce Worldwide Integration Notes

  • ShipStation API can display Parcelforce Worldwide rates for specific shipments but not via the Rate Estimates endpoint.

  • All items with a length between 1.1m and 1.5m or with a second-largest dimension greater than 0.7m attract the manual handling surcharge of £2.95. See ParcelForce's Pricing and Surcharge page for more information.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation API will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

When an API call is made to the Rates endpoint, ShipEngine will return estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation API. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Shipment manifests and End of Day documents are submitted electronically to the carrier by ShipEngine.

Shipment manifests and End of Day documents are generated as PDF files that can be printed along with shipping labels. Because these documents are not electronically submitted, physical copies must be provided to the carrier.

ShipEngine can print your brand logo on shipping labels from carriers that support this feature. Add your logo in the ShipEngine Dashboard.

ShipEngine can include additional information on a shipping label that is specified in the label request, if supported by the carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

You can connect this carrier to ShipStation API multiple times using different accounts and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.