Infor SyteLine4 min readNetray Engineering TeamUpdated March 4, 2025

How to Configure Shipping Parameters in Infor SyteLine

Shipping parameters in Infor SyteLine control how finished goods are picked, packed, and shipped to customers. Proper configuration ensures accurate freight calculations, correct carrier selection, and compliant shipping documentation. This guide covers how to set up ship via codes, freight terms, packing slips, and carrier integration in CloudSuite Industrial for efficient outbound logistics operations.

Setting Up Ship Via Codes and Carrier Definitions

Navigate to Distribution > Ship Via Codes to define shipping methods using the ShipViaCodes IDO. Each ship via code represents a carrier and service level combination, such as 'UPS-GRD' for UPS Ground or 'FDX-2DA' for FedEx 2-Day Air. Enter the carrier name, service description, and estimated transit days. The Freight Calculation Method field determines how freight charges are computed — options include Manual Entry, Weight-Based Table, or Carrier API Integration. Link each ship via code to a carrier account number for manifest generation. SyteLine stores these in the ship_via table and uses them across order entry, shipping, and invoicing to maintain consistent carrier selection throughout the order lifecycle.

Create ship via codes via Distribution > Ship Via Codes for each carrier/service combination your organization uses
Set estimated Transit Days per ship via code to enable accurate delivery date calculations on sales orders
Configure Freight Calculation Method to auto-calculate shipping costs based on weight, distance, or carrier rate tables
Link carrier Account Numbers to ship via codes for automated manifest generation and tracking number retrieval

Configuring Freight Terms and Shipping Charges

Freight terms define who pays for shipping and when ownership transfers. Navigate to Distribution > Freight Terms to create records like 'Prepaid' (seller pays freight), 'Collect' (buyer pays), and 'Prepaid and Add' (seller pays and adds to invoice). Each freight term maps to GL accounts for freight revenue or expense posting. Configure the FOB Point field to indicate when risk and title transfer — 'Origin' (seller's dock) or 'Destination' (buyer's dock). In the Shipping Parameters form (Distribution > Shipping Parameters), set the default Freight Terms, default Ship Via, and configure whether freight charges automatically appear on customer invoices or are calculated separately.

Define freight terms (Prepaid, Collect, Prepaid and Add) via Distribution > Freight Terms with GL account mappings
Set FOB Point to 'Origin' or 'Destination' to establish risk transfer and impact revenue recognition timing
Configure default Freight Terms and Ship Via in Distribution > Shipping Parameters for system-wide shipping behavior
Enable automatic freight charge calculation on invoices for 'Prepaid and Add' freight terms to recover shipping costs

Configuring Packing Slips, BOL, and Shipping Documents

SyteLine generates shipping documents including packing slips, bills of lading (BOL), and shipping labels through configurable report templates. Navigate to Distribution > Shipping Parameters to set the default Packing Slip Format and BOL Format. The system uses Crystal Reports or SSRS templates stored in the report template library. Configure the Packing Slip Numbering scheme to auto-generate sequential numbers. Enable the Auto-Print flag to automatically generate packing slips when shipments are confirmed. For international shipments, configure commercial invoice and customs documentation through the Export Documentation section, including harmonized tariff codes (HTS), country of origin, and ECCN classification that pull from the item master.

Set default Packing Slip and BOL formats in Distribution > Shipping Parameters using Crystal Reports or SSRS templates
Enable Auto-Print to generate shipping documents automatically when the Ship Confirm transaction is processed
Configure international shipping documents including commercial invoices, HTS codes, and country of origin declarations
Set up Packing Slip Numbering to auto-generate sequential document numbers linked to the shipment record

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I integrate carrier APIs like UPS or FedEx with SyteLine?

SyteLine supports carrier API integration through the Shipping Solutions module or third-party middleware like Pacejet, ShipHawk, or TrueCommerce. Configure the API connection in Distribution > Shipping Integration by entering carrier credentials, endpoint URLs, and service mappings. Once configured, the system sends shipment details to the carrier API during ship confirm and receives tracking numbers, labels, and freight charges automatically. Integration typically reduces shipping processing time by 50-70% and eliminates manual carrier website usage for 90% of shipments.

Can I configure different shipping parameters per warehouse in SyteLine?

Yes, shipping parameters can be set at the warehouse level to override system defaults. Each warehouse record (Distribution > Warehouses) has a Shipping tab where you can set warehouse-specific default Ship Via, Freight Terms, and return address. This is essential for multi-site operations where different facilities use different carriers or have different shipping dock configurations. For example, a West Coast warehouse might default to FedEx while an East Coast facility defaults to UPS, optimizing carrier selection based on geographic coverage.

How do I handle partial shipments and backorders in SyteLine?

Configure partial shipment behavior in Distribution > Order Entry Parameters by setting the Allow Partial Shipments flag. When enabled, SyteLine creates a backorder line for unshipped quantities and generates a separate shipment for available items. The Backorder Priority field determines the order in which backorders are fulfilled when inventory becomes available. Customer-level Ship Complete overrides system defaults — customers requiring complete orders hold all lines until 100% available. Partial shipments typically process in 2-3 minutes including document generation.

Key Takeaways

1Setting Up Ship Via Codes and Carrier Definitions: Navigate to Distribution > Ship Via Codes to define shipping methods using the ShipViaCodes IDO. Each ship via code represents a carrier and service level combination, such as 'UPS-GRD' for UPS Ground or 'FDX-2DA' for FedEx 2-Day Air.
2Configuring Freight Terms and Shipping Charges: Freight terms define who pays for shipping and when ownership transfers. Navigate to Distribution > Freight Terms to create records like 'Prepaid' (seller pays freight), 'Collect' (buyer pays), and 'Prepaid and Add' (seller pays and adds to invoice).
3Configuring Packing Slips, BOL, and Shipping Documents: SyteLine generates shipping documents including packing slips, bills of lading (BOL), and shipping labels through configurable report templates. Navigate to Distribution > Shipping Parameters to set the default Packing Slip Format and BOL Format.

Netray AI agents can analyze your SyteLine shipping configuration, recommend carrier optimization strategies, and help integrate real-time carrier APIs to automate freight calculations and tracking updates.

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Related Resources

Infor SyteLine