E-commerce Shipping Notification Email Template

TL;DR. An e-commerce shipping notification email is sent the moment a customer's order leaves the warehouse. The best shipping notification emails include the tracking number, carrier name, estimated delivery date, and a one-click link to the live tracking page — all above the fold.

When to send a shipping notification email

• Triggered automatically when the carrier scan confirms the shipment has left your facility.
• Before the customer has a chance to wonder where their order is.
• For multi-shipment orders, send one notification per shipment — not a combined message at the end.

What to include in a shipping notification email

• Carrier name and tracking number — both visible without scrolling.
• Estimated delivery date — a date range beats "5–7 business days."
• A prominent tracking CTA that links directly to the carrier's tracking page.
• A list of the items in the shipment so customers can spot missing items early.

Subject line examples

• "Your {{store_name}} order is on its way"
• "Shipped: {{product_name}} — track it here"
• "Good news: order #{{order_number}} has left our warehouse"

FAQ

What should an e-commerce shipping notification email include? A shipping notification email must include the tracking number, carrier name, estimated delivery date, and a link to track the order live. Customers check this email primarily to verify their package is moving — make that information immediately visible.

When should I send a shipping notification email? Send it the moment the carrier scan fires, typically within minutes of pickup. Delaying even by a few hours causes customers to contact support unnecessarily — shipping notifications are one of the highest-value transactional emails for reducing inbound inquiries.

How is a shipping notification email different from an order confirmation email? An order confirmation email acknowledges that the purchase was received; a shipping notification email confirms the physical goods are in transit. They serve different moments and should never be combined into one message.