How can I resolve shipping label issues caused by non-English addresses in SellerDash?
When processing international orders with SellerDash, you might encounter issues where shipping addresses are in non-English languages, such as Japanese. This can cause complications during shipping label generation. Below is a comprehensive guide to resolving such issues and preventing them in the future.
Why Does This Happen?
Shipping label generation tools, such as AusPost, require at least one English character in the suburb or city field to process the label. Without this, the label cannot be generated, resulting in delays. Non-English addresses typically occur in sellers' international orders when customers input their local language directly.
Step-by-step Solution
1. Modifying the Address for Immediate Label Generation
If the shipping label cannot be generated due to a non-English address:
Add an English Character: Temporary fixes such as placing a full stop (.) or any other English character at the end of the suburb or city field can help. This fulfills the technical requirement for an English character and allows the label generation process to proceed.
Request the Address in English: If adding a character does not work, ask the customer to provide you with the English version of their shipping address. Update the order with this new information and retry generating the label.
2. Editing the Address Before Printing
For cases where the billing and shipping addresses differ (e.g., an English billing address but non-English shipping address):
Confirm the addresses are actually the same - you don't want to ship to the wrong address.
Once you have a confirmed English shipping address:
Edit the order and replace the non-English shipping address with the English version provided by the customer.
Confirm the changes and attempt to reprint the label.
If the issue persists even after following these steps, reach out to SellerDash Support with the order ID and details for further assistance.
How to Prevent Such Issues in Future Orders
To avoid similar problems in the future:
Request English-Compliant Information Upfront: During order placement, encourage customers to input their addresses in English. Clearly state this in your checkout instructions or shipping form.
Proactively Communicate: For regions where this issue is more common, consider contacting the customer immediately after purchase to confirm their address details.
By incorporating these practices, you can minimise shipping errors and ensure timely processing of international orders.