# Add additional shipping documentation to orders (Document Manager) URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4407149410703-add-additional-shipping-documentation-to-orders-document-manager Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4407149410703-add-additional-shipping-documentation-to-orders-document-manager Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4407149410703-add-additional-shipping-documentation-to-orders-document-manager.md Updated: 2026-10-21 > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt). > Attach shipping documents manually or with rules, verify country conditions, and check which files your courier receives. Attach a customs or supporting file to an order when your courier requires it, or keep a general document such as a packing photo with the order. The order uploader accepts PDF, JPEG and PNG; check your courier's accepted format before relying on electronic transmission. ## Before you begin - Confirm the required document and accepted format with your courier. Attaching a file to an order does not guarantee electronic transmission. - Use an order created within the last 90 days. - Keep courier-related documents separate from **Order Document** files used only for internal reference. ## Attach courier-related documents Courier-related documents are required when a shipment must include files such as: * MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) * Prescriptions or medical certificates * Fabric certificates * Licenses or permits * Declarations of origin These documents can be attached manually within the order details page or automatically using rules. Courier transmission depends on the service and document: * **DHL Express:** When [Paperless Trade is enabled in the courier settings](/articles/203806429-set-up-dhl-express#how-to-enable-paperless-trade), Starshipit can include eligible uploaded documents in the shipment request for international shipments even if the destination does not support Paperless Trade. Starshipit does not mark the shipment as using Paperless Trade. Check the DHL response and printed shipment documents, and attach any paperwork DHL requires. * **FedEx REST electronic trade documents:** For accounts with pre-shipment document uploads available and **Use Electronic Trade Documents** enabled, Starshipit uploads all eligible courier-related documents attached to an outbound international order. **Order Document** attachments stay internal. An uploaded **Customs Invoice** is sent as the commercial invoice; other courier-related types are sent as supporting documents. Confirm accepted files and required paperwork with FedEx. If any FedEx document upload fails, label creation stops so you can correct the file or error. A successful label alone does not prove electronic transmission: if FedEx rejects the electronic invoice workflow, Starshipit can return a label with a warning that electronic documents were not used. Follow that warning and attach the required printed paperwork. ### To attach a courier-related document manually 1. Open the order from the Orders grid. 2. In the Order Documents section, select Add Document. 3. Upload the relevant file (for example, a customs invoice or licence) and choose its courier document type. **Order Document** is for internal reference and is not sent to the courier. 4. The document appears in the list of attached files. Documents added by rules also appear here and can be viewed, removed, or replaced if required. 5. When you print the order, check the courier response and printed shipment documents to confirm whether the document was transmitted. ### Set the default document type You can choose the document type selected by default when your team uploads a document from an order. 1. Go to **Settings > Options**. 2. Select the preferred **Default order-document upload type**. 3. Click **Save**. The uploader still lets the user choose a different type for an individual file. If no default is configured, Starshipit uses **Order Document**. ## Attach general order documents General order documents are used for internal reference and record keeping. These documents remain stored with the order and are not transmitted to couriers. Examples include packing photos, checklists, or quality control forms. General order documents can be added manually or automatically using rules. ### To attach a general order document manually 1. Open the order from the **Orders** grid. 2. In the **Order Documents** section, select **Add Document**. 3. Upload the desired file and select **Order Document** as its type. 4. The file remains available within the order for future reference. ## Automatically attach documents using rules Use the Document Manager and rule engine to attach either courier-related or general order documents automatically when orders import. ### Upload documents to your account 1. Go to **Settings > [Document Manager](https://next.starshipit.com/settings/document-manager)**. 2. Open the upload tab and select the files. Document Manager accepts PDF and JPEG files; the individual order uploader also accepts PNG. 3. Choose the document type: **Customs Invoice**, **Proof of Purchase**, **License or Permit**, or a general document for internal reference. A customs invoice replaces the default commercial invoice. 4. Click **Upload**. 5. Confirm the file appears in the library or file list with the intended document type. ### Assign documents using rules 1. Open **Rules** in Document Manager. 2. Select **Add a new rule**. 3. Set the conditions for when the document should be applied. For a destination-country condition, a recognised country name, two-letter code or combined country label matches the same destination. For example, `United States`, `US` and `US - United States` all match the US. For a country-list condition, separate countries with semicolons. 4. Choose the **Assign Document** action. 5. Enter the filename or use `%OurRef%` or `%TheirRef%` to match the order number or reference. 6. Save the rule changes, then reopen the rule to check the condition and filename. Rules apply when orders import. To apply a saved rule to existing eligible orders, use **Run rules now** in the UI 2.0 **Library** tab, or **Run Rules** in Classic UI. ### Verify the assignment before printing Open an eligible order that matches the rule and check **Order Documents** for the expected file and type. Also check an order that should not match the country condition. If the document is missing, check the destination, saved rule, filename match and order age before running the rules again. When you print an order, check the courier response and generated shipment documents separately. General order documents remain stored with the order, and attaching multiple files does not override the courier transmission limits above. ## Manage and review order documents * All attached documents, whether added manually or via rules, appear in the **Order Documents** section. * Files can be downloaded, removed, or replaced before printing. * Orders may include multiple attachments if more than one file meets a rule condition or is added manually. * Only orders created within the last 90 days are eligible for document attachments. ## FAQ How do I know if a file has been attached to an order? Attached documents appear in the Order Documents section of the order details view. How do I un-assign a file from my orders? Files can be unassigned either from the File List in Document Manager or directly within the order details. You can not remove files from an order once the order has been shipped for auditing purposes. **From the File List:** * To remove a single file from all assigned orders, select Unlink in the file’s row. * To remove all files assigned by a specific rule, select Remove assigned rule. **From the order details:** * Open the order and go to the Order Documents section. Can the same file be attached to multiple orders? Yes, you can attach the same file to multiple orders. Can one order have multiple files attached? An order can have multiple files attached if multiple files meet the rule conditions. How do I delete a file from my file list? In the File List, you can remove a file from your file list by clicking on the **Remove** option in the file's row. Is it possible to upload multiple files with the same name? Document manager does not currently support multiple files with the same name (regardless of whether the file extension is different). When you upload a file with the same name, the new file will override the older file. What orders are eligible for documents to be added to them? All orders less than 90 days old can have documents attached to them. They will just need to meet the conditions that are set in your rule settings. Can I download the commercial invoice from a printed order with associated documents? For FedEx REST, a commercial invoice returned by FedEx is saved for later retrieval even when **Do not print Commercial Invoice** is selected. Use the printed order's commercial-invoice action to retrieve that saved file. See [Configure additional FedEx settings](/articles/90200000000122-configure-additional-fedex-settings#automatic-commercial-invoice-printing) for the setting and missing-invoice checks. For other courier workflows, the result depends on the attached document type. An uploaded **Customs Invoice** replaces the standard generated invoice, so keep your original file rather than relying on the commercial-invoice action to return the uploaded copy. Attaching **Proof of Purchase** or **License or Permit** does not itself replace the invoice; check that the courier returned or generated the invoice you need.