How to Use QR Code Labels

A QR code label lets your customers drop off a shipment at a courier location without printing anything at home. Instead of a physical label, the customer presents a QR code on their phone — the store staff scan it and print the label on the spot.

This is especially useful for return shipments where the end customer may not have access to a printer.

How to request a QR code label

When creating a shipment or return shipment, include the qr_code field inside shipping_settings.additional_services:

{
  "shipping_settings": {
    "additional_services": {
      "qr_code": "qr_code"
    },
    "buy_label": true
  }
}

For full request parameters, refer to:

• Create a Shipment
• Create a Return Shipment

What you get in the response

When the courier supports QR code labels, the shipping_documents array in the response will include both documents:

{
  "shipment": {
    "shipping_documents": [
      {
        "category": "qr_code",
        "format": "url",
        "url": "https://...",
        "base64_encoded_strings": []
      },
      {
        "category": "label",
        "format": "url",
        "url": "https://...",
        "base64_encoded_strings": []
      }
    ]
  }
}

• qr_code — the scannable QR code to present at the drop-off location.
• label — the full shipping label, printed by the store when they scan the QR code.

Courier support matrix

The qr_code parameter is supported for the following couriers:

Notes per courier

USPS

• Supported for return shipments only.
• When qr_code is set, both the QR code and the shipping label are returned in shipping_documents.
• Label customization (e.g. custom logo) is not available for QR code labels.

Canada Post

• Supported for both outbound and return shipments.
• Setting qr_code generates both the QR code and the shipping label.

Evri

• Supported for UK domestic shipments only (both outbound and return).
• Setting qr_code generates both the QR code and the shipping label.

FedEx

• Supported for return shipments only.
• Setting qr_code generates both the QR code and the shipping label.

UPS

• Supported for US domestic DAP shipments (both outbound and return).
• The document returned has category: "qr_code" but is technically a scannable barcode that UPS stores can process.