Follow the instructions below to import multiple shipments at one time.

1. Make a copy of our sample Chit Chats CSV file

There are two versions of our CSV template to help you create shipments:

  • Standard CSV: Suitable for creating most shipments
  • Advanced CSV: Best for creating international and other shipments requiring detailed line item descriptions. With this template, you will be asked to detail each of the package's contents on a separate row.

Choose the appropriate CSV file for

From there, make a copy so that you can add your shipments. There are two ways to do this:

  • If you have a Google account, ensure that you are signed in. Select File > Make a copy ..
  • Without a Google account, select File > Download as > Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet) to download a copy of the template onto your computer. 

2. Add your shipment data to the new document

Add your shipment data to the document by reviewing and following the column requirements (hover over the black triangles in top-right corner of each column header)

It is important to follow each column requirement exactly, or else your import may fail. 

Refer to the table below for the available columns for either the Standard or Advanced template version. Note that the fields in bold are required. 

The new columns in the Advanced template are:

  • order_id (Mandatory) 
    • The same order ID must be used for each shipment item if there are multiple items in one package. If there is no order id for your shipment, designate a number to associate all items for the same shipment since this is a required field. 
    • For example: 
      • order_id 133 contains 3 art prints and 2 sticker pins 
      • order _id 8787 did not have a specific order id so 8787 is the unique number allocated for all items in this shipment (1 handmade planter, 2 handmade crochet pin and 4 plastic plant stick) 

  • Item_quantity 
  • Item_description 
  • Item_unit_value 
  • Item_country_of_origin 
  • Item_hs_code 
    • Minimum 6 digits, no periods required (i.e. 123456 instead of 1234.56) 
    • Only mandatory if shipping with USPS International postage or to a military (APO/DPO) or U.S. territory (i.e. Guam, Hawaii) address   
  • Item_sku 

When using the advanced CSV template the recipient name, address, package weight & dimensions must be entered on the first shipment item. It can be duplicated for the remaining items however not mandatory.  

For example: 

  • Order_id 133 duplicates the weight and dimensions for each item contained in this shipment - the weight dimensions entered should be the package weight and dimensions not for the individual items 
  • Order_id 8787 only has the weight and dimension on the first line item with the remaining items blank

Recipient

Standard TemplateAdvanced Template Explanation

name

name 

recipient's name 

address_1 

address_1 

recipient's address street 

address_2 

address_2 

recipient's address street 

additional information 

city 

city 

recipient's address city 

province_code 


province_code 


recipient's address province cod

(required for U.S. and Canada)

postal_code 

postal_code 

recipient's address postal code / zip code (required for U.S. and Canada) 

country_code 

country_code 

recipient's address country code 

phone 

phone 


Required for international 

addresses* 

Contact option for Chit Chats 

Collect postage

customer_email 


customer_email 


recipient’s email address 



Description

Standard TemplateAdvanced TemplateExplanation
package_contentspackage_contents

description of contents (e.g. Merchandise, Documents)


description

detailed list of each item contained with quantities


item_description


detailed description of each item 



Provide a detailed description of the item. Vague descriptions can cause delays to your shipments. 

Must be a minimum of 3 characters in length and provided in English

For example: Toy is too generic. Rather electronic car toy or stuffed baby doll. Reference our blog for additional tips on acceptable shipment descriptions. 

Standard CSV: semicolons ";" can be used to separate the items of a list (required for international shipments with multiple items

Advanced CSV: each item should be entered as a separate line with a corresponding detailed description.


valueitem_unit_value

retail value (Wholesale values are not acceptable)

Advanced CSV: Retail value per piece, not total combined value. Wholesale values are not acceptable.


value_currencyvalue_currency

currency for retail value



order_store

order_store

optional store type from provided list

order_id
order_id

associated order ID for selected store type

Advanced CSV: Mandatory order ID associated with your shipment. Must be unique within the same order_store.

Important: The same order ID must be used for each shipment item if there are multiple items in one order/package. If there is no order id for your shipment designate a number to associate all items for the same shipment since this is a required field

vat_referencevat_reference

 IOSS number or other tax reference number (required for international addresses*)

  • IOSS numbers must be a maximum of 15 characters in length


sku
item_sku

your custom identifiers for tracking your inventory (optional)


n/aitem_hs_code

Minimum 6 digits, no periods required (i.e. 123456 instead of 1234.56)


Only mandatory if shipping with USPS International postage or to a military (APO/DPO) or U.S. territory (i.e. Guam, Hawaii) address.


n/a item_country_of_origin

Use two-letter code of the item's county of manufacture. 


If unsure, leave blank.



Package

Standard Template

Advanced Template

Explanation

package_type

package_type

package type value from provided list

size_x

size_x

package length (required for certain package types, like parcel)


Advanced: package dimensions are taken from the first shipment line item

size_y

size_y

package width (required for certain package types, like parcel)


Advanced: package dimensions are taken from the first shipment line item

size_z

size_z

package height (required for certain package types, like parcel)


Advanced: package dimensions are taken from the first shipment line item

size_unit

size_unit

unit of measurement for package dimensions mentioned above

weight

weight

Standard: package total weight


Advanced: enter the total package weight on the first shipment line item

weight_unit

weight_unit

unit of measurement for weight


Postage 

Standard Template
Advanced Template
Explanation

postage_type

postage_type

postage type value from provided list

cheapest_postage_type_requested

cheapest_postage_type_requested

if desired, set to yes and set postage_type to unknown (U.S. shipments only)

signature_requested

signature_requested
optional signature confirmation (where available); defaults to no if left blank, set yes if desired

insurance_requested

insurance_requested
optional insurance; defaults to account preference if left blank. Set yes if desired, or no if not desired.
ship_dateship_datethe date you are dropping your packages off at Chit Chats
duties_paid_requestedduties_paid_requestedoption to access duties paid postage for international shipments (requires vat_reference be provided); defaults to no if left blank, set yes if desired
collect_typecollect_typebranch or locker; auto selects the branch or locker offering the Chit Chats Collect service nearest the recipient address

3. Download document as CSV file

Skip this step if you chose the option to download the template as a file in Step 1.

Once all the shipments have been added to the document, download as CSV format from File > Download as > Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet)

4. Upload the file to Chit Chats

Once the file is saved, go to the Upload a file page within your account and follow the instructions on screen.

If there are any issues in the sheet's formatting or there are postage type errors then no shipments will be imported and the importer will display error messages to help you resolve the issues. Check out common errors when importing and how to resolve them.


Note: Any shipments where postage rates were not available at the time of import will be imported with "unknown" postage. After importing manually, select the postage for these shipments so that you can buy and print postage labels. 


5. Editing Shipments 

Before completing your import you'll be asked if you want to edit your shipment or apply a preset. We'll record these changes as well as the original description for your reference in the shipment sidebar menu.

Content descriptions and retail values for your international shipments during import works a bit differently than U.S. and Canadian shipments. Presets will not be available as you must provide a detailed customs description including specific quantity and retail value for each item in every international shipment you import.

You can learn more about editing international shipments here

Remember shipment descriptions must be provided in English. Providing a second language is optional. This is because English is the designated language for our international shipping partners which also include any U.S. bound shipments.