WhatsApp · Dispatch to door

From Warehouse to Doorstep: 7 WhatsApp Shipping Templates

Once an order ships, customers want three facts: where it is, when it arrives and whether they need to do anything. These seven updates give those facts for ordinary parcels, split orders, furniture and international deliveries.

Choose a delivery

Read the seven Draft an update

On its way, with a tracking button: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

On its way, with a tracking button: WhatsApp shipping update on an Android phone

Shipped, both phonesSee it →

Kinds of delivery

WhatsApp shipping notification examples for every kind of parcel

Standard parcels, delivery-day windows, two-person furniture crews and parcels crossing borders each raise different questions. The cards answer them field by field, with an iPhone preview that switches to Android.

Template 01 · Shipped

On its way, with a tracking button

UtilityFashionWhen the carrier scans the parcel

The carrier's first scan is the moment the parcel is really moving. Sending then, with one tracking button, means the link already shows a location.

Fields

Header

Image product photo

Body

On its way, {{first_name}}: order #{{order}} has left our warehouse with DPD and should reach you on Thursday. Tap below to follow it.

Buttons

Track my parcel

Utility · 1 button · body 138 / 1,024 characters

Open in the builder →

Arriving today, with a time window: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 02 · Out for delivery

Arriving today, with a time window

UtilityBeautyMorning of delivery day

On delivery day, the window is the only fact that matters. A text header puts it on screen before the body has even been read.

Fields

Header

Arriving today, 1pm to 3pm

Body

Your LUMA parcel, order #{{order}}, is with the driver, {{first_name}}. If nobody is in, it can go in a safe place you choose below.

Buttons

Leave at the door With a neighbour I'll be in

Utility · 3 buttons · body 134 / 1,024 characters

Open in the builder →

Furniture crew on the way: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 03 · Two-person crew

Furniture crew on the way

UtilityHomeWhen the delivery van leaves for its route

A furniture delivery needs someone home and a clear path to the room. Telling them now, with a way to reply, avoids a wasted trip.

Fields

Header

Image product photo

Body

Our two-person crew is bringing your Oslo sofa today between 10am and 12pm, {{first_name}}. They will carry it into whichever room you pick and take the packaging away.

Buttons

Someone will be home Call me first

Utility · 2 buttons · body 172 / 1,024 characters

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Abroad, with duties already paid: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 04 · International

Abroad, with duties already paid

UtilitySupplementsWhen an international parcel is dispatched

Customers abroad fear a customs bill at the door. Saying the duties are covered, before the parcel crosses a border, stops that question coming in.

Fields

Header

Image product photo

Body

Order #{{order}} is on its way from our UK warehouse, {{first_name}}. Import duties are already paid, so there is nothing extra to pay when it arrives in about 5 working days.

Buttons

Track the shipment

Utility · 1 button · body 179 / 1,024 characters

Open in the builder →

The rest is on its way: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 05 · Second parcel

The rest is on its way

UtilityFashionWhen the second part of a split order ships

When an order arrives in two parts, the second message should refer back to the first. A text header makes it clear this is the rest, not a duplicate.

Fields

Header

Parcel 2 of 2 is on its way

Body

The Leather loafers from order #{{order}} have shipped separately, {{first_name}}, and should arrive two days after your first parcel. Nothing else is outstanding.

Buttons

Track parcel 2

Utility · 1 button · body 167 / 1,024 characters

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The assembly guide, sent ahead: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 06 · Assembly guide

The assembly guide, sent ahead

UtilityHomeWhen a flat-pack item ships

Customers who can read the guide before the box arrives spend less time puzzling over it later. A PDF header keeps it in the chat for when they need it.

Fields

Header

Document Ash sideboard assembly guide.pdf

Body

Your Ash sideboard (order #{{order}}) has shipped, {{first_name}}, and arrives on Friday. The assembly guide is attached, so you can see the steps and tools in advance.

Buttons

Track delivery

Utility · 1 button · body 174 / 1,024 characters

Open in the builder →

Delivery questions, handled by reply: WhatsApp shipping update on an iPhone

Template 07 · Reply flow

Delivery questions, handled by reply

UtilitySupplementsWhen a parcel ships with a tracked courier

Delivery messages invite questions about timing and safe places. Answering them in the same chat saves the customer a call and your team a ticket.

Fields

Header

Image product photo

Body

Order #{{order}} is on the road, {{first_name}}, due tomorrow by 6pm. Any delivery questions? Reply in this chat and someone from our team answers.

Buttons

Track my order Ask a question

Utility · 2 buttons · body 151 / 1,024 characters

Open in the builder →

Dispatch builder

Shape a delivery update and stay inside the limits

Choose a delivery type, adapt the carrier, dates and wording, and the chat redraws as you type. Field counters track Meta's caps, while four ticks confirm the basics of a good update.

Delivery type

Header text0 / 60

Body0 / 1,024

Bold the date or the window with *asterisks*. Sample values replace {{first_name}} and {{order}} in the preview.

Footer0 / 60

Button 10 / 25

Button 20 / 25

Body under 1,024 characters
Other fields within caps
Variables kept inside the text
Gives a date or window

9:41

‹

Business account

Today

Message

Timing

Which carrier events deserve a message

Carriers record dozens of scans. Customers only want to hear about a handful of them. These are the four worth a WhatsApp message.

The first carrier scan

Not when the label is printed. A tracking link sent before the first scan shows nothing and prompts a 'where is it?' message.

A border crossing

For international orders, one update when the parcel clears customs answers the question customers worry about most.

Out for delivery

The morning of delivery, with a window if the carrier provides one, so someone can be in.

A second parcel

When an order splits, each parcel gets its own update that refers back to the order.

Good practice

Five rules for delivery updates on WhatsApp

Wait for the first scanA tracking page with no events is worse than no message at all.
Name the carrierCustomers recognise the van and the driver's card, so tell them which company is bringing it.
Give a day or a window'Soon' answers nothing. A day, a date or a two-hour window does.
Keep promotions outA dispatch update is a utility message; slip an offer in and Meta classes it as marketing.
Let them replyQuestions about safe places and redirects are easiest to answer in the same chat.

Automate shipping notifications with Zefir

Zefir drafts your dispatch templates and fires each update on WhatsApp the moment the parcel reaches a new stage.

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Questions

Dispatch messages on WhatsApp: what stores ask

What is a WhatsApp shipping notification?

It is a utility template that tells a customer their order has shipped or is out for delivery, usually with a tracking button. Zefir sends it from your store's shipping events the moment the parcel moves.

When should the dispatch message be sent?

After the carrier's first scan rather than when the label is printed, so the tracking link already shows progress. Zefir triggers the message from the carrier event, not the label.

Can a shipping notification include buttons?

Yes, a link button for tracking and quick replies for safe places or questions both work in a utility template. Zefir builds those buttons into every template.

Is a shipping update a utility template?

Yes, provided it sticks to the shipment itself; any promotion inside it moves it to the marketing category. Zefir writes these updates with no offers in them.

How many updates should one parcel get?

Usually two or three: shipped, out for delivery and, where relevant, a customs or second-parcel update. Zefir sends only the stages you choose.