Back to Master 3PL Guide

Managing Pre-orders
on ShipBob

ShipBob

|

Visit Website

ShipBob is a tech-enabled 3PL that integrates with Shopify for real-time product synchronization, order importing, and fulfillment. It supports on-hold statuses (including Shopify’s “on hold”), partial order fulfillment, and real-time inventory updates—though it does not allow negative stock levels for pre-orders or overselling.

This guide will break down how ShipBob handles key pre-order functions like negative stock, Shopify’s “On Hold” status, and fulfilment workflows—so you’ll know what to expect, where it excels, and any workarounds you may need.

How 3PLs and pre-orders work together in the modern ecommerce stack

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers specialize in managing your fulfillment from start to finish. They:

Receive and store products in their warehouses
Pick and pack orders
Ship to customers using their own software that syncs with your ecommerce platform

Below is a typical flow. Click through to see how Shopify, the 3PL and pre-order application interact.

1

Inventory Sync

The 3PL continuously syncs inventory from either your ERP or Ecommerce platform

Key Considerations for Managing Pre-orders on ShipBob

In the diagram above you may have noticed the word “should” being used a couple of times… That’s because not all 3PLs fully support Shopify’s pre-order features out of the box. Some may lack support for negative inventory counts or fail to respect Shopify’s “On Hold” order status, requiring workarounds or additional configuration.

If your store uses an ERP, it often instructs the 3PL on which orders to fulfill—meaning you might not need all of the 3PL’s features we’re about to go through.

Read on to see how ShipBob interacts with Shopify pre-orders and what you might need to adjust.

Syncing Shopify Products and Inventory

Yes. ShipBob can sync product data (titles, SKUs) from Shopify, and it offers real-time inventory updates to prevent overselling. • Initial Sync: Pull existing products from Shopify • Ongoing Sync: Update stock levels (including bundles) in real time

Resources:

• Shopify Product Sync Doc

Syncing Shopify Orders

Yes. Orders from Shopify are automatically imported into ShipBob in real-time, carrying statuses, customer info, and line items.
• Real-Time: As soon as an order is placed, ShipBob receives it
• Order Details: Includes shipping address, items, and more

Resources:

• Shopify Features & Capabilities

Custom Workflows with Shopify Tags and Metafields

ShipBob provides certain configuration options—like partial fulfillment rules, on-hold synchronization, and automatic processing pauses. For deeper custom workflows (e.g., referencing tags/metafields from Shopify) you may need additional integrations or APIs.

Resources:

• Order Auto-Split / Processing Rules

Respecting Shopify’s “On Hold” Status

Yes. ShipBob respects Shopify’s “on hold” status for orders, preventing fulfillment until the hold is released.
• Syncs Hold: Orders marked on hold in Shopify remain on hold in ShipBob
• Avoid Premature Fulfillment: Manage pre-order or delayed shipments easily

Resources:

• Shopify Features & Capabilities

Pre-Order-Specific Features

ShipBob doesn’t inherently support negative inventory, but it does have workflows for pre-orders in conjunction with the on-hold status or external apps.
• Hold Orders: Automatically or manually hold them until items are in stock
• Real-Time Sync: Inventory updates ensure pre-ordered items aren’t prematurely fulfilled

Partial Order fulfillment

ShipBob can partially fulfill orders by splitting them if not all items are available from one location. • Auto-Split Rules: Divide orders into multiple shipments • Partial Fulfillment: Send in-stock items first, hold others

Resources:

• Order Auto-Split Rules

Re-syncs orders from platform

ShipBob integrates with Shopify in real-time. Once an order is updated (e.g., hold status changed), ShipBob reflects it promptly. There is no mention of a manual re-sync requirement—updates should flow automatically.

Resources:

• Shopify Features & Capabilities

Summary

ShipBob support for
Shopify Pre-orders

Pre-order touchpoint	ShipBob support
Products sync with Shopify	✅ Supports product sync (titles, SKUs) & real-time stock updates
Orders sync with Shopify	✅ Real-time sync of orders (statuses, line items) from Shopify
Negative custom workflows or automations	⚠️ Basic on-hold, partial ship rules; advanced workflows require contacting support
Shopify “On Hold” status recognition	✅ Respects Shopify’s “on hold,” preventing premature fulfillment
Specific pre-order support	✅ Holds orders for pre-orders, though no negative inventory
partial order fulfilment	✅ Auto-split & partial shipments from different warehouses
Re-syncs orders	✅ Real-time updates, no manual refresh needed

Strengths & Limitations

✅ Strengths
• Real-time inventory sync and order import
• On-hold status sync for Shopify pre-orders
• Partial fulfillment with auto-split rules

⚠️ Limitations
• No negative inventory support
• No dedicated quoting tools for pre-orders
• Advanced custom workflow/integration may require contacting support