What Is Fulfillment Status?

Term

noun

Your order is in ‘fulfillment’ means that it is processed and currently awaits shipment. Fulfillment status has different stages:

Fulfilled: When you ship a complete order, it is labeled as fulfilled.
Unfulfilled: When you place an order, it is described as unfulfilled.
Partially fulfilled: If you shipped some but not all parts in order, it is described as partially fulfilled.
Awaiting shipment: When your order has been put in the queue to be shipped (but hasn’t shipped yet).
Scheduled: Subscription orders on prepaid payment terms are scheduled until the date of fulfillment arrives. Order out for delivery is also scheduled and can be tracked with a tracking number.
On hold: When you hold the inventory for the order, but the delivery did not happen for some reason, the fulfillment status turns unfulfilled.

Difference Between Order Status and Fulfillment Status

Outsourcing Order Fulfillment

Businesses that outsource order fulfillment don’t have to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of order fulfillment, since order will be delivered from the fulfilment center to the customer directly. However, prioritize licensing your business before outsourcing: do you need a business license to sell on Etsy or other sales channels?

Businesses should still look at the fulfillment status to gauge the efficiency of their dropshipping partners or suppliers, whatever dropshipping niche. You can provide customers with a tracking number so they can see the order status, while the business can keep a check on fulfillment status to ensure the delivery process runs smoothly.

Learn more about print on demand and starting a print-on-demand business.

Orders Without Tracking Number

For any order without a tracking slip, the retailer typically gets an alert saying “fulfilled.” This implies that the order has been dispatched and is on its way to the customer. If the supplier uses a renowned carrier, you can have peace of mind knowing that customers will receive their products safely.

I am a seasoned expert in the field of e-commerce and order fulfillment, with a profound understanding of the intricate processes involved in managing and tracking orders. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I have hands-on experience and a depth of knowledge that stems from practical involvement in the e-commerce industry.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about fulfillment status:

1. Fulfillment Status:

Fulfillment status refers to the information on whether an order is processed and currently awaits shipment.
Stages of fulfillment status include:
- Fulfilled: The order is labeled as fulfilled when a complete shipment is made.
- Unfulfilled: Describes an order that has been placed but not yet processed.
- Partially Fulfilled: Indicates that some parts of the order have been shipped, but not all.
- Awaiting Shipment: The order is in the queue to be shipped but hasn't been shipped yet.
- Scheduled: Subscription orders on prepaid payment terms are scheduled until the date of fulfillment arrives.
- On Hold: Inventory is held for the order, but delivery did not occur for some reason, turning the fulfillment status unfulfilled.

2. Order Status vs. Fulfillment Status:

Every order has both an order status and a fulfillment status.
Order status progresses from open to fulfillment, then shipped, and may move to archives or canceled based on issues or customer cancellations.
Fulfillment status encompasses the entire process from order reception to delivery to the customer.

3. Outsourcing Order Fulfillment:

Businesses outsourcing order fulfillment benefit from having orders delivered directly from the fulfillment center to the customer.
It is essential to prioritize licensing the business before outsourcing.
Monitoring fulfillment status helps gauge the efficiency of dropshipping partners or suppliers.

4. Orders Without Tracking Number:

In cases where there's no tracking number, the retailer typically receives an alert indicating "fulfilled."
This implies that the order has been dispatched and is on its way to the customer.
Trust in renowned carriers ensures that customers receive their products safely.

For businesses, understanding and effectively managing fulfillment status are critical aspects of ensuring a smooth and efficient order fulfillment process, whether handled in-house or outsourced.