How to Connect Shopify to a UK Fulfilment Centre in 10 Minutes
Your first sale is exciting—until you realize packing boxes limits growth. The quickest fix is to plug your Shopify store into a UK-based fulfilment centre (3PL) that automatically receives, packs and ships every order. The good news? Thanks to Shopify’s built-in app ecosystem and smart order-routing, the whole setup now takes under ten minutes. Follow this lightning guide and start shipping nationwide—or replenishing Amazon warehouses—before your coffee cools.
Prerequisites (1 minute)
| Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Active Shopify plan | App installation + API keys |
| 3PL partner with a public Shopify app (e.g., UK Pre Fulfilment, ShipBob UK, Huboo) | Instant OAuth connection |
| SKU list & barcodes uploaded to Shopify | Enables inventory sync |
| Staff account with Apps > Manage private apps permission | Grants API access |
Tip: If your 3PL doesn’t offer a public app, ask for private API credentials instead.
Step 1 – Install the 3PL’s Shopify App (2 minutes)
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In your Shopify Admin, go to Apps ▸ Shopify App Store.
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Search “UK Pre Fulfilment” (or your chosen provider).
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Click Install and approve OAuth scopes: Orders, Inventory, Fulfilment, Locations.
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When redirected, pick your store and confirm.
Why so fast? Shopify’s 2025 app framework streamlines OAuth approvals to a single click. Shopify
Step 2 – Map Products & Barcodes (2 minutes)
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Inside the 3PL dashboard, open Product Settings ▸ Sync Products.
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Select Auto-Map by SKU / Barcode.
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Review any Unmatched SKUs; upload missing barcodes if prompted.
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Click Save & Activate Sync.
The app begins polling Shopify every 5 minutes to keep stock levels aligned.
Step 3 – Enable Order Pull & Auto-Fulfil (2 minutes)
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Order Status Filter | paid |
| Auto-Fulfilment Mode | ON (creates fulfilment request instantly) |
| Partial Fulfilments | Allow (good for pre-orders) |
| Hold Rules | Tag-based (e.g., “Fraud-Check”) |
Save. Your 3PL will now receive every paid order in real-time and return the tracking URL moments after despatch.
Step 4 – Activate Smart Order Routing (Optional, 2 minutes)
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In Shopify Admin go to Settings ▸ Shipping & delivery ▸ Order routing.
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Enable Smart order routing and choose “Fulfil from 3PL if stock available”.
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Add fallback rules for in-store pickup or secondary warehouses. Shopify
Result: orders automatically pick the closest UK warehouse, cutting last-mile cost.
Step 5 – Test the Connection (1 minute)
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Place a £0.01 test order to your own address.
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Watch it appear in the 3PL portal within seconds.
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Verify tracking number syncs back to Shopify and “Fulfilled” status updates.
If all clear—you’re live!
Bonus: Route Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfilment (MCF)
Need Amazon to fulfil overflow orders? Install the Amazon MCF app and set channel priority:Shopify Store → UK Pre Fulfilment (primary) → Amazon MCF (backup)
Common Questions (FAQ Schema Recommended)
Q1. How much does a Shopify-to-3PL integration cost?
Most UK 3PLs include the connector free; Shopify charges nothing extra.
Q2. Will VAT or Brexit rules affect shipping to the EU?
Your 3PL should offer Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) options and automate ICS2 data.
Q3. Can I split inventory between FBA and my 3PL?
Yes—enable Multi-location inventory and tag SKUs accordingly.
Conclusion & CTA
Connecting Shopify to a UK fulfilment centre no longer requires code, consultants or endless CSVs—just 2 focused minutes. Automate the grunt work and refocus on launching new kitchenware lines, not printing labels.
Ready to scale? Book a same-day onboarding call with UK Pre Fulfilment and ship your first outsourced order today.
