# Scan to validate items URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/6811966579215-scan-to-validate-items Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/6811966579215-scan-to-validate-items Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/6811966579215-scan-to-validate-items.md Updated: 2026-10-19 > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt). > Scan each picked item's barcode or SKU to check the contents of an order before printing its shipping label. Use Packing Validation to check each picked item and quantity before printing the order's shipping label. Scan the item's barcode or SKU to catch packing errors before the order is ready to ship. ## Before you begin Use a Professional or Enterprise plan and start with an unprinted order. Items need a barcode or SKU for scanning; you can also check them manually and use **Mark as Packed** or adjust the packed quantity. If the shipping label has already been printed, follow [Verify printed orders before dispatch](/articles/1792014664000-verify-printed-orders-before-dispatch) instead. ## Validate an order 1. Go to **Workflows > Packing Validation**. 2. Enter or scan the order number, then click **Search**. The packing validation screen displays the products in the order. ![Packing validation screen](/uploads/articles/getting-started/barcode-scanning/validate-items-using-barcode-scanning/image_6817752030607.png) 3. Scan the barcode or enter the SKU of each picked item. A matching scan increases the packed quantity. If an item does not match, check the error and scan the correct item. 4. Repeat step 3 until every item and quantity for this shipment has been checked. 5. Click **Complete Packing**. 6. If the order details page opens, confirm the package and courier/service selection, then click **Print**. If your completion setting is **Print the label**, the label prints automatically. 1. Open **[Workflows](https://next.starshipit.com/workflows)** and select **Packing Validation**. If **Packing Validation** appears directly in the left navigation, select it there. 2. Enter or scan the order number, then select **Search**. 3. Open the unprinted order you want to pack. If several results appear, check the order number and **Account** before selecting it. 4. Scan the barcode or enter the SKU of each picked item. A matching scan increases the packed quantity. If an item does not match, check the error and scan the correct item. 5. Repeat step 4 until every item and quantity for this shipment has been checked. 6. Select **Complete Packing**. 7. If the order details page opens, confirm the package and courier/service selection, then select **Print**. If your completion setting is **Print the label**, the label prints automatically. ## Check the validation result Open the order's **History** to check for the **Packing Validation** entry and the items packed. After printing, check that the shipping label was created for the intended order. ## Configure Packing Validation Go to **Settings > [Packing Validation](https://next.starshipit.com/settings/packing-validation)** to choose how orders open and what happens when packing is complete. ### Open orders with Packing Validation Control how unshipped orders should open in the orders grid: | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | **Open the order details** | Opens the default Starshipit order details page | | **Open the order with Packing Validation** | Takes you directly to the packing validation screen | ### Complete packing Decide what happens when you select **Complete Packing**: | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | **Open the order details before printing the label** | Allows you to make any changes to your packaging or carrier selection before printing | | **Print the label** | Prints the label directly once packing has been completed | ### Additional options Enable **Auto-complete Packing Validation** to complete packing validation automatically after the last item is scanned. ## Troubleshooting ### The order is not found Check the order number and confirm that you are searching in the account that owns the order. Check its status in **Orders**: this procedure starts with an unprinted order. ### The label does not print after packing Check your **Complete packing** setting. If it is **Open the order details before printing the label**, confirm the package and courier/service selection on that page, then select **Print**. If printing shows an error, resolve that error before continuing to the next order. ## FAQs Can I use Packing Validation if my products do not have barcodes? Yes. You can adjust the packed quantity manually or use **Mark as Packed**. You can also add barcodes to the Starshipit product catalogue for easier scanning. See [Add and manage products in the Product Catalogue](/articles/1781620000001-add-and-manage-products-in-the-product-catalogue). How do I know when the wrong item has been scanned? Starshipit shows an error and plays an audio notification when the scanned barcode does not match an item in the order. Check the product and scan the correct item before continuing. Can I access Packing Validation from the Orders Grid? Yes. Right-click an unshipped order in the **Orders Grid** and select **Open with Packing Validation**. To use this as the default for unshipped orders, go to **Settings > [Packing Validation](https://next.starshipit.com/settings/packing-validation)**. Under **Open orders with Packing Validation**, select **Open the order with Packing Validation**. Can I find a child-account order from the parent account? In UI 2.0 **Workflows**, select **Include orders from child accounts** when it is available. You need access to all linked child accounts in the search. Use the **Account** column to choose the right order. Starshipit opens it in its owning account and returns to the parent account after **Complete Packing** or **Back**. If the option is unavailable, switch to the account that owns the order if you have access to it. ## Related articles - [Choose a web-app picking and packing workflow](/articles/90200000000516-choose-a-web-app-picking-and-packing-workflow) - [Verify printed orders before dispatch](/articles/1792014664000-verify-printed-orders-before-dispatch) - [Set up warehouse packing stations](/articles/8439609255183-set-up-warehouse-packing-stations)