OverviewYou can specify as many shipping options as you like. Shipping can be based on weight of the order, quantity of items ordered, or the total price of the order. The shipping methods you set up will be available to the shopper when they are completing their order.
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Shipping ChargesWe're frequently asked by our customers, "What should I charge for shipping"? Unfortunately, we can't answer that question for you. However, we do have some suggestions for helping you determine what you will charge.
Shipping OptionsMightyMerchant lets you base shipping on the following:
Total Order Weight
Total Order Amount
Total Number of Items Ordered
How accurate do you need to be?The first thing to determine is how accurate you need to be on shipping. Do you want to be highlyy accurate so you do not lose money on shipping costs, or do you want to be less accurate and figure on spreading the shipping costs over many orders, charging more than your actual costs for some orders and less for others?
If you need to be more accurateIf you need to be more accurate, then basing the shipping on weight is the first step. With weight-based shipping, you have the option of using UPS Online Tools to pull realtime UPS rates, or you can set up custom weight-based shipping methods with set rates.
UPS Online Tools
If you choose to ship UPS, you will activate UPS online Tools in your Site Manager. Shipping calculations are automatically pulled form the UPS site. You can also designate if a product ships in its own box to reflect multiple shipments.
Custom Weight-Based Shipping
If your preferred shipper is USPS, then to be most accurate you'd want to set up your shipping by the USPS shipping zones, each zone having its own custom method and shipping prices by weight.
If you don't need to be quite that accurate, you can set up a custom USPS method with some general weight-based amounts.
What if I have special shipping needs?If you have special shipping needs, such as items that are freight shipped, drop-shipped, or shipping quotes are required, please let your developer know at the beginning of your project, as custom programming may be needed to meet your needs.
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Setting Up Custom Shipping MethodsTo set up shipping methods, click the "shipping" administrative link.
Creating a New Custom Shipping Method
1. From the "shipping" page, click "Add a new custom shipping method". The Add/Edit Shipping Method screen will be displayed.
Field Descriptions
Name of Shipping Method: Enter the name of the shipping method. Example: US Mail
Handling Charge: Adds a handling charge for this shipping method.
Minimum Shipping Charge: Sets a minimum shipping charge for this shipping method (available on MightyMerchant verson 3.6 and higher).
Enable free shipping: Check "yes" if you wish to set free shipping for orders over a specified amount.
Free shipping over: Insert the amount over which free shipping is activated. Example: if you enter 100.00, orders $100.00 and below will be charged shipping, orders from $100.01 and up will have free shipping. You must check the "yes" checkbox for this feature to work.
Shipping Table Quantities are: Choose whether you want your shipping based on total order price, quantity ordered (total number of items ordered), or shipping weight.
Note: if shipping is based on weight, you will need to enter a weight for each product in the Product Catalog.
Fill out the Shipping Price Grid:
The price grid allows you to specify From/To values, based on the parameters you designated in the "Shipping Quantities in table below are" field. For example, if you choose shipping based on "Total Price of Order", the "Order at Least/Order Less Than" fields will represent price breaks. If you choose shipping based on "Quantity Ordered" or "Shipping Weight", the "Order at Least/Order Less Than" fields will represent quantity breaks or weight breaks.
Please note these important features of the Shipping Price Grid:
Order at least / order less than: The last value in one line should always "overlap" with the first value in the next line. If the first line reads "1 to 20", the second line should read "20 to 30". Be sure to add a final value that will exceed the maximum order amount you would ever get. Note: The first line in the shipping price grid should be 1, NOT zero.
Shipping Charge by Dollar or Percent: You should enter either a dollar amount (no $) or percentage (.10 equals 10%), depending on how you want to base your charges."Dollars" means that whatever values you enter in the shipping grid, those amounts will be charged for shipping when the total charge of your order falls within that price break. "Percentage" means that whatever values you enter in the shipping grid will be multiplied as a percentage of the total. It would only make sense to choose this option if you are basing your shipping on the Total Price of the Order.
On a line-by-line basis, you can specify whether to base the charge on a percentage or dollar amount. This is handy if you want to start charging shipping as a percentage of the total purchase price, once the order has exceeded a certain amount.
Order Manager Email Notification Text: If your website is set up with the Order Manager, the default text that will be included in the notification email for any custom method is:
Dear ,
We wanted to let you know that your order # has shipped via on .
You can modify this field for each shipping method to include information such as shipping notes and tracking numbers. For example:
You can track your order at http://usps.com
Your tracking number is:
Click here for more on modifying this field.
Special note for display/Description for View Cart Screen: Place any special text here that relates specifically to this shipping method, such as how long it usually takes for items to arrive when this shipping method is checked. This note will display on the checkout pages.
Zones: You can set which zones a particular method will ship to using the Zones chart (available on MightyMerchant version 3.6 and higher).
At least one zone needs to be checked off. Any dollar amount entered in the zone chart will be added to the base shipping charges for the shipping method.
Setting Up/Modifying Shipping Zones
1. Choose "Set Up/Modify Shipping Zones" to create or modify your shipping zones. (This feature is available on MightyMerchant version 3.6 and higher.)
2. The default set up for the shipping zones includes:
Explanation of Shipping Zone Terms
Zone Name: The name of the shipping zone.
Zone Countries: The countries that will either be included or excluded in a particular zone.
Zone Zips: The zip codes that will either be included or excluded in a particular zone. (The default zip codes shown for Continental U.S. excludes all zip codes from Alaska and Hawaii and Non-Continental U.S. zip codes include all zip codes from Alaska and Hawaii.)
Zone Exclude Countries: Defines whether the Zone Countries are included (N) or excluded (Y) from the zone.
Zone Exclude Zips: Defines whether the Zone Zips are included (N) or excluded (Y) from the zone.
To edit a shipping zone, click the Edit link to the left of the zone.
To create a new zone, click the New Record link:
Custom Shipping Zone Examples
There may be an occasion where it makes more sense to create a specific shipping zone than what is setup by default in the Site Manager. Below is a brief explanation of how zip codes are configured and examples that you may find useful.
United States
Explanation:
A Zip Code is a string of 5 digits used by the US Postal Service to assist in routing mail. The first digit of any Zip Code refers to a grouping of states. The second and third digits refer to a region within that group or sometimes a large metropolitan city. The fourth and fifth digits refer to a post office facility or delivery area.
The lowest Zip Codes begin on the east coast in the New England states and increase going southward. The Zip Codes then increase from there going west and north.
Examples:
Pacific (AK, WA, OR, CA)90,91,92,93,94,95,960,961,97,98,99
Mountain (ID, NV, UT, AZ, MT, WY, CO, NM)59,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,880,881,882,883,884,889,89
West North Central (ND,SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO)50,51,52,55,560,561,562,563,564,565,566,567,57,58,63,64,65,66,67,68,69
East North Central (WI, IL, MI, IN, OH)43,44,45,46,47,48,49,53,54,60,61,62
Middle Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA)005,07,08,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,190,191,192,193,194,195,196
New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI)01,02,03,04,05,06
West South Central (OK, AR, LA, TX)7,885
East South Central (KY, TN, MS, AL)35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42
South Atlantic (WV, MD, DE, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL)197,198,199,2,30,31,32,33,341,342,343,344,345,346,347,348,349,569
APO/FPO09,340,962,963,964,965,966
Pacific Islands (HI, PW, FM, MH, MP, GU, AS)967,968,969
Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands (PR, VI)006,007,008,009
Canada
Explanation: Canadian Postal Codes are a string of 6 alpha-numeric characters. The first letter denotes a particular postal district, with the first 3 characters together indicating a forward sortation area (FSA). The final 3 characters indicate local delivery unit.
Examples:
Northern Canada (YT, NT, NU)X, Y
Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB)R, S, T, V
Eastern Canada (ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL)A, B, C, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P
Less Accurate ZonesIf you don't need to be quite that accurate, you can set up a custom USPS method with some general weight-based amounts. Here is an example, based on recent shipping rates table provided by USPS for Priority Mail:
| From weight |
Up to weight |
Shipping Cost | | .1 | 1 | 4.60 | | 1 | 2 | 6.20 (if you want to go with the middle rate) / 7.50 (if you want to go with the highest) | | 2 | 5 | 11.90/15.85 | | 5 | 10 | 16.95/25.05 |
etc.
Setting a Default Shipping Method
You can add as many shipping methods as you wish. The Shipping Methods screen allows you to specify one method as the default. When the customer checks out on the site they will be given this option as their default shipping method and a drop-down list showing the other options.
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Examples:
Pacific (AK, WA, OR, CA)90,91,92,93,94,95,960,961,97,98,99
Mountain (ID, NV, UT, AZ, MT, WY, CO, NM)59,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,880,881,882,883,884,889,89
West North Central (ND,SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO)50,51,52,55,560,561,562,563,564,565,566,567,57,58,63,64,65,66,67,68,69
East North Central (WI, IL, MI, IN, OH)43,44,45,46,47,48,49,53,54,60,61,62
Middle Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA)005,07,08,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,190,191,192,193,194,195,196
New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI)01,02,03,04,05,06
West South Central (OK, AR, LA, TX)7,885
East South Central (KY, TN, MS, AL)35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42
South Atlantic (WV, MD, DE, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL)197,198,199,2,30,31,32,33,341,342,343,344,345,346,347,348,349,569
APO/FPO09,340,962,963,964,965,966
Pacific Islands (HI, PW, FM, MH, MP, GU, AS)967,968,969
Puerto Rico / Virgin Islands (PR, VI)006,007,008,009
Canada
Explanation: Canadian Postal Codes are a string of 6 alpha-numeric characters. The first letter denotes a particular postal district, with the first 3 characters together indicating a forward sortation area (FSA). The final 3 characters indicate local delivery unit.
Examples:
Northern Canada (YT, NT, NU)X, Y
Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB)R, S, T, V
Eastern Canada (ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL)A, B, C, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P
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Setting Up Auto-UPS ShippingThis feature is available in v3.3 and later.
MightyMerchant offers live UPS Rates and Services Selection and UPS Tracking. In order to use these features you must first activate UPS Online Tools® using the MightyMerchant Site Manager.The auto-UPS shipping feature allows shipping to be based on UPS rates automatically.
UPS rates are based on weight, so you will have to enter weight information on all products.
To activate UPS Online Tools:
1. Click on the "shipping" administrative link.
2. Click Activate UPS Online Tools
3. Complete the step-by-step sign up process.
Setting Up/Editing UPS Settings
1. From the main "shipping" page, set the UPS methods you wish to offer to active:
2. To edit your general UPS settings, click Edit UPS Settings:
You may edit the following fields:
3. To edit method specific UPS settings, click the Edit link located next to a particular method:
You may edit the following fields:
Default Settings:MighyMerchant calculates UPS rates based on the settings you specify in the site manager.
Pickup Type: Rates vary based on how your packages are picked up by UPS.
Maximum Package Weight: Enter the largest weight to include in a single package. If a customers order weighs more, the shipment will be divided into multiple packages to calculate the rate. For example, if you enter a maximum package weight of 25 and your customer's order weighs 62, then the shipment will contain 3 packages (2 packages of 25lbs each and 1 package of 12 lbs.) UPS allows a maximum of 150 lbs. per package.
Shipments Originate From Zip/Postal Code: Rates vary based on where your package ships from.
Country Code: Use the 2-letter country code for your country.
Default Delivery Type: Rates vary depending on whether the order will be shipped to a residence or a business. Set this option to the type of address MOST of your orders ship to. Your customer can override this option when placing an order.
Default Packaging: Rates and delivery options vary based on the package type. The setting you make here will be used for all packages except those for which you make a product specific setting. (See below)
Default Package Dimensions: These dimensions will be used on all packages except those for which you make a product specific setting. We recommend leaving this setting 0 X 0 X 0.
Product settingsTo access these settings, click the 'Edit' link next to any item in your catalog.
Weight: The weight of one unit of this item.
If an item has a weight of 0 then the item is assumed to be shipped free, the weight of the item is defaulted to .1 lbs (or kgs for Canada origin) and the calculations other than UPS Ground and UPS standard are based on that weight.
Extra Shipping/Handling: This dollar amount will be added to each rate for each unit ordered.
Free Shipping: This item ships free via UPS Ground or UPS Standard.
- If the destination and origin country are the same then the weight used to calculate UPS Ground rates (or for Canada, UPS Standard rates) will not include the weight of this item.
- The weight of the item will be included in all other quoted rates.
- If the destination and origin country are different, then all rates are calculated including the weight of this item.
- If all items in an order ship free, then UPS Ground and UPS Standard rates are calculated at $0.00. All other shipping rates include the full weights of the items. Please note that if you leave the weights at 0, then each item will add .1 lbs to the weight for ship methods other than UPS Ground and UPS Standard.
Ships in own box: Check this checkbox only if the product has a box specifically designed for it. UPS charges will apply to this box separately from any other items ordered at the same time. If this box is not checked, UPS assumes you are combining all items in a single box up to the maximum weight entered in default UPS settings. The following settings only apply if this item ships in its own package.
Package Type: ('Shipper Supplied' is the recommended option) Rates and delivery options vary based on the package type. If this item ships in a package type (such as UPS Express Box®) that can only be delivered via Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air, then the only rates available to your customer for the ENTIRE ORDER will be Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air. In general, for the broadest rate choice for your customer, use 'Shipper Supplied'.
Package Dimensions: Enter the package dimensions, if applicable. (see Weight and Size Information below).
For additional information, see the UPS Rate & Service Guide available from UPSSome packages may incur additional UPS fees based on package dimensions* or additional services, i.e. Saturday Delivery.
Weight and Size InformationWeight and size limits apply to all packages sent by UPS domestic air and ground services. The maximum size for a package equals 130 inches in combined length* and girth* and the maximum length per package equals 108 inches. For international shipments, the maximum weight of a package may very by destination. See the UPS Service Guide for more information.
*Length is the longest side of a package. Girth is the distance all the way around the package at its widest point perpendicular to the length.
Additional SettingsTo access these settings:
1. Click the 'shipping' link at the top of the page in your site manager.
2. Click the 'Edit' link next to the shipping method you would like to change.
In addition to the settings above, you may also set the following options per shipping method.
Handling Charge: One-time charge to add to UPS rates for this shipping method.
Enable Free Shipping: Enable free shipping with this method for orders over a certain dollar amount.
Free Shipping Over: Dollar threshold when free shipping is available. The 'Enable Free Shipping' option must be set to 'Yes'. You may set this dollar amount to $0.00 to always offer free shipping for this method.
Special Note for Display: Note to display on the 'View Cart' screen for this shipping method. For example: "Orders over $25.00 ship free via UPS Ground. Packages arrive 7-10 days after placing your order".
Deactivating UPS Online Tools®If you wish to deactivate UPS Rates and Services, you may do so at any time.
1. Click the 'shipping' link at the top of the page in your site manager.
2. Click the 'Deactivate' link under UPS Shipping.
Re-register to use UPS Online Tools®You may re-register to use UPS Online Tools at any time.
1. If you haven't done so already, deactivate UPS Online Tools®.
2. Click the 'Activate' link to re-register.
When using the UPS OnLine Tools®, MightyMerchant displays the UPS Trademark and accompanying disclaimer* on each shipping screen and shipment notification viewed by your customer. These elements are permanent and may not be deleted or altered in any way.
UPS Tracking Tool®When using UPS Tracking, MightyMerchant displays a required disclaimer* to your customers. This notice is permanent and may not be deleted or altered in any way.
*NOTICE: UPS Tracking systems and the information they contain are the private property of UPS and may be used solely to track shipments tendered by, to or for you to UPS for delivery and for no other purpose. Any other use of UPS Tracking systems and information is strictly prohibited.
UPS Rates & Service Selection Tool®When using UPS Rates & Service Selection, MightyMerchant displays the following required disclaimer. This notice is permanent and may not be deleted or altered in any way.
*NOTICE: These fees do not necessarily represent UPS published rates and may include handling charges levied by (Your Business).
See ups.com/content/us/en/resources/select/index.html for additional information on UPS shipping methods.
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Determining why UPS calculator does not match exact UPS chargesConsider making changes to your "UPS settings". Click on the "Shipping" link in your Site Manager then click on "Edit UPS Settings" under the "UPS Shipping Options" section. If you do not have in-store pickup, you should change the Pickup Type to "Suggested Retail Rate". Daily Pickup is always lower than Suggested Retail Rate.
Consider changing is your Default Package Settings in the UPS settings and see if it makes a difference. We generally suggest that you leave it at 0 x 0 x 0. Then do a test on the site and see if your calculation for the same 2 cartons to the same zip code gets you closer to your actual shipping cost.
Also, you can add a handling charge or a percentage to markup shipping for your UPS shipping method if you need to. In the Site Manager click on your "Shipping" link. You will see that you have one UPS method active which is "UPS Ground". There is an "Edit" link next to this method. Click on this link. This will open the page where you can add an additional shipping charge (ex: 13.00) or just markup the charge by a certain percentage (example: 5.00 would be 5%). Then "Save". You will want to test a few
different zip codes to make sure that the shipping charge is what you expect.
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Overriding the Base Shipping Charges by Product
Older Versions of Mighty Merchant (Prior to Version 4.3+)
Method 1 - additional shipping charge
If you have a product that needs an additional shipping charge over and above the standard charges for the chosen shipping method:
1. Open the edit product page for that item.
2. Put the additional amount in the "Shipping Charge" field.
3. Click "Save".
When the item is purchased, the amount will be added to the standard shipping costs.
Method 2 - free shipping
To offer an item with free shipping:
1. Open the edit product page for that item.
2. Choose "Yes" in the "Free Shipping" field.
3. Click "Save".
When the item is purchased, no shipping will be charged for that item.
Shipping Charge Type - New in Version 4.3+
The "Shipping Charge Type" replaces the free shipping checkbox in earlier versions and works in conjunction with the amount entered in the "Shipping Charge" field.
Surcharge: The amount entered in the Shipping Charge field is added to any regular shipping charges. This amount is cumulative, depending on the quantity ordered.
Flat Rate: The amount entered in the Shipping Charge field is not added to any regular shipping charges, including UPS real-time rates. This amount is cumulative, depending on the quantity ordered.
One Time Surcharge: The amount entered in the Shipping Charge field is added to
any regular shipping charges. This amount is added once and is not dependent on
the quantity ordered.
One Time Flat: The amount entered in the Shipping Charge field is not added
to any regular shipping charges, including UPS real-time rates. This amount is added once and is not dependent on
the quantity ordered.
Default Method Free: This replaces the previous "free shipping" checkbox. When the item is purchased, no shipping will be charged for that item. This method only applies to the default shipping method.
Always Free: When this item is purchased, no shipping will be charged for the item. This method applies to ALL shipping methods.
Require Shipping Quote: This replaces the older "requires shipping quote" checkbox. When this item is purchased, the customer will not be required to enter payment information during checkout. After submitting the order, the site owner would need to contact the customer with a shipping quote and obtain payment.
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Shipping Notes and MessagesGeneral Shipping Note
General shipping notes should be added through the "settings" administrative link in the Shipping Note field. The best place to add generic shipping information (it appears at the top of the page) is in the Order Info field in SETTINGS. Place any universal shipping information you would like to see on the checkout pages. Shoppers generally like to know how long it takes for orders to be shipped out.
This General Shipping Note appears on the confirmation email that the customer receives, also.
Method-Specific Shipping Notes
Shipping notes specific to a shipping method should be added on the shipping method detail in the "Special note for display/Description for View Cart Screen" field. Go to "shipping" then click the Edit link for the specific shipping method.
This Method-Specific Shipping Note appears when someone clicks the link titled "Shipping Info" on the cart page. It also appears on the confirmation email that the customer receives, also.
In Summary:
1) SETTINGS: The shipping note that is in your SETTINGS is included in the confirmation email
2) METHODS: The shipping note that applies to the method they have chosen (“Description for view cart screen”) ALSO is included in the confirmation email.
3) Both #1 & #2 above appear when someone clicks the "View Shipping Info" link on the Cart.
4) METHODS: The “Order Manager Email Notification” is used when you notify someone that an item has been shipped (from the Order Manager). This is different from the confirmation email.
Shipping notification if using UPS Integration
Add custom text into the email notification for the UPS shipping methods by following these steps:
1. From the Site Manager go to [Shipping > Find the Method in question > Edit].
2. Add the customized text into the "Shipping Notification Text" field, which will be included in the shipping notification email.
3. Click "Save" when finished.
Note: When entering text in this custom field, it will override the default message that is sent. Also, this text will need to be entered for each of the shipping methods that you have currently active, otherwise the default message will be sent.
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Setting up the Text for the Shipping Notification EmailsThe choices for the shipping menu are set from the shipping methods you have set up with the Site Manager.
If you intend to use the Order Manager to notify your customers when their orders ship, you will want to review the 'Note for email confirmation' for each shipping method. The 'Note for email confirmation' is the text of the email that will be sent to each customer when you click the 'Notify' button in the Order Manager.
The default text included in each custom method is:
Dear {first_name},
We wanted to let you know that your order #{order_no}
has shipped via {method} on {sh_date_shipped}.
{sh_note}
The default text for auto-UPS shipping methods also includes a tracking number, as well as a link to a page on your website where customers can track their shipment.
You can modify the text for each custom shipping method and include details about how the person can track their order or when they can expect to receive their package.
To change the default email confirmation text
- 1. Click the "shipping" link in the Site Manager.
- 2. Edit the "Order manager Email Notification Text" text for each shipping method set up to suit your needs.
- 3. Click "Save".
By using special notation in the text, you can include information about your customer's order such as the tracking number and shipping method.
Here is a sample that could be added to a custom shipping method if you plan to include tracking numbers:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can track your order by visiting http://www.usps.com
Your tracking number is {sh_tracking_no}
You can expect your order to arrive in 7 to 10 business days from the date it was shipped.
Thank you
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Editing in MightMerchant v4.0+
In version 4 and above, whatever you put in the "Order Manager Email Notification Text" field overrides the default. So you will want to include the defaults along with your additions, like this:
Dear {first_name},
We wanted to let you know that your order #{order_no}
has shipped via {method} on {sh_date_shipped}.
{sh_note}
You can track your order by visiting http://www.usps.com
Your tracking number is {sh_tracking_no}
You can expect your order to arrive in 7 to 10 business days from the date it was shipped.
Thank you
What do the curly braces mean?
Wherever you see text surrounded by
{ and
} data from this order will be substituted.
You can include the following data in your email confirmation:
{order_no} the order number of this order
{first_name} the billing first name
{last_name} the billing last name
{sh_date_shipped} the date this package shipped
{sh_note} the custom note you enter on the notify screen
{sh_tracking_no} the tracking number for this shipment
{ship_to} the address the package is being shipped to
{bill_to} the address the order was billed to
{method} the name of the shipping method the item was shipped by
Notifying your customers about a shipped order
You can notify your customers when an order ships by clicking the notify button for that order.
You must enter a date shipped and a tracking number for the order. If there is no tracking number, enter 'none'. You may also add a custom note to include in the email. If you are not shipping all the items, you can uncheck the items that are not included in this shipment. If the 'Notify on Save' checkbox is checked, then an email with the text from this shipping method will be sent to your customer.
(If you prefer to enter the shipping information, but do not want to send a notification to your customer, then you can uncheck the "Notify on Save" checkbox.)
The information you entered will be saved and can later be viewed by clicking the "View Shipping History" link for each order in the Order Manager.
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