ShipStation + QuickBooks Desktop
ShipStation to QuickBooks Desktop integration
CartSpan® brings the orders in your ShipStation account, from every channel ShipStation holds, into QuickBooks Desktop as invoices, sales receipts or sales orders, on its own. When an order’s lines don’t add up to what the customer paid, it holds that order and tells you. ShipStation is an order source only: stock and prices aren’t sent back through it.
- ShipStation’s own API
- Every channel, one connection
- Orders only
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier or Enterprise, 2023 or newer
- $495, then $299 a year from year two
- Any number of orders
- Every ShipStation channel
What happens to a ShipStation order
One connection for every channel.
Ten sales channels in ShipStation?
On ShipStation
ShipStation holds orders from your web store, Amazon, eBay and seven other channels.
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In QuickBooks
- One CartSpan connection brings them all in, or only the stores you choose
- Each channel’s own order number lands in the PO field
Discount lines on the order?
On ShipStation
The order carries two negative-price lines for promotions.
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In QuickBooks
- They come in as one named discount, so the invoice reads cleanly
A repeat business customer?
On ShipStation
A shop that buys from your ShipStation store every month at the regular price.
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In QuickBooks
- Their own QuickBooks customer; on QuickBooks Enterprise, at their price level, not the web price
- Terms and sales rep follow their customer group
- A class per store, so your reports show where sales came from
Examples. Channels and accounts come from your own setup.
What CartSpan reads from ShipStation
What comes across with each order.
Which stores
All ShipStation stores, or only the ones you pick.
Your rulesOrder numbers
ShipStation’s ID as the document number; the channel’s order number as the PO.
Core ShipStationCancelled orders
Skipped.
Core ShipStationSomething else on your ShipStation account?
Before you buy, we’ll look at your setup and tell you straight whether CartSpan reads it. 513-708-1317
Stock and prices
Orders only.
- ShipStation is an order source: stock and prices aren’t sent back through it.
- For stock on your store, connect the store itself as well (for example Shopify, WooCommerce or BigCommerce).
How it connects
ShipStation’s own API.
- You create an API key in ShipStation; we connect CartSpan with you during setup.
- Nothing to install on a server.
Limits, plainly
What to know first.
- Orders only: no stock or price updates through ShipStation.
- Refunds aren’t imported.
- Tax on ShipStation orders: test with a taxed order during the trial.
- The ship-to company replaces the billing company on the customer.
- CartSpan runs on a Windows PC beside your books, and that computer needs to be on. After a restart, open CartSpan again and it picks up where it left off.
QuickBooks Desktop
What QuickBooks needs.
- QuickBooks Pro and Premier need a read-only QODBC license, $149 per user a year (FLEXquarters, checked October 13, 2026); Enterprise includes it.
- Revenue by store: a class per store.
Does CartSpan send stock through ShipStation?
No. ShipStation is an order source only. Connect your store directly for stock.
Can I bring in only some of my ShipStation stores?
Yes. Pick the stores, or take them all.
What does QuickBooks Pro or Premier need?
A read-only QODBC license from FLEXquarters, $149 per user a year (checked October 13, 2026). QuickBooks Enterprise includes it.
Tell us about your ShipStation account and your QuickBooks company.
A short call settles whether CartSpan fits your setup.