# Set up Direct Freight
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4858091402511-set-up-direct-freight
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4858091402511-set-up-direct-freight
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4858091402511-set-up-direct-freight.md
Updated: 2026-05-06

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Step-by-step guide to setting up Direct Freight.

Connect Direct Freight to Starshipit to create Australian domestic shipments. Direct Freight labels use the 100 × 200 mm format.

## Before you begin

Have these details from Direct Freight ready:

- Account number
- Site ID
- Consignment, pricing, and tracking API keys

If you're missing any of the above fields, see [our guide](/articles/couriers/direct-freight/direct-freight-api-access) on how to request this from Direct Freight.

## Set up Direct Freight

1. In Starshipit, navigate to **Settings** > **Couriers** > **Add a new Courier** > **Direct Freight**.
2. Tick **Enable Direct Freight**.
3. Enter your account number, site ID, and API keys. Direct Freight may provide the same key for consignment, pricing, and tracking.
4. Click **Save**.
5. Click **Test to ensure it works** to verify the connection.

## Add the Direct Freight service

:::note
Direct Freight uses one service. Add it as the default product code before printing labels.
:::

To add a default product code for Direct Freight:

1. Go to **Settings** > **Couriers** > **Direct Freight Settings**.
2. Click **Add a new product code**.
3. Enter **ITEM** (in capitals) as the **Product Code**.
4. Enter any description as the **Name**.
5. Click **Add**.

## Shipping and notifications

- **Rates:** Direct Freight rates include GST and the surcharges returned by Direct Freight.
- **Manifesting:** Manifest all Direct Freight shipments by 6:30 pm. Direct Freight may automatically manifest unmanifested shipments and charge a fee.
- **Notifications:** To send courier tracking notifications, go to **Settings > Couriers > Direct Freight > Advanced** and enable **Email notifications for tracking**.

## Troubleshooting

**I'm having trouble receiving tracking updates for Direct Freight. What should I do?**

If tracking updates are not coming through as expected, contact Starshipit Support. Our team can enable batch tracking for Direct Freight on your account, which may help improve tracking updates.

## Manifest or cancel a shipment

Manifest a printed shipment before redoing it with different details.

- In Classic, select the order and choose **Actions > Dispatch / Manifest**.
- In the current interface, select the order and choose **Manifest Orders**.

To cancel a manifested or archived shipment, go to **Settings > Couriers > Direct Freight > Tools**, then enter its tracking number. Cancel before 6:30 pm on the day you created the consignment to avoid a fee.

To cancel labels automatically when an order is redone or archived, enable **Automatically cancel archived orders** under **Settings > Couriers > Direct Freight > Advanced**.

## Configure Direct Freight settings

Direct Freight controls are divided between **Settings** and **Advanced**:

| Setting | What it controls |
| --- | --- |
| **Use batch tracking only** | Uses batch tracking instead of individual tracking requests. |
| **Authority To Leave** | Defaults authority to leave on shipments. |
| **Enable email notification for tracking** | Sends receiver notification details to Direct Freight when a phone number is available. |
| **Display SKUs on label** | Prints item SKUs on labels. |
| **Automatically cancel archived orders** | Cancels the Direct Freight shipment when the order is archived. |

Direct Freight uses a product code table even though it provides one label type. Add the default product code before printing labels. The **Tools** tab can cancel a shipment by tracking number.