ARTICLE 0260

How to Write a Backorder Shipping Confirmation Email

A backorder shipping confirmation email tells a customer that an item they previously waited for is now being shipped. After a long backorder period, this message is especially important because it confirms that the order has moved from waiting for inventory to the shipping stage.

A useful shipping confirmation should clearly identify the order, name the shipped product, explain that the item has shipped, and provide tracking information when tracking is available.

Quick Answer

A good backorder shipping confirmation email should tell the customer that the backordered item has shipped, identify the order and product, provide the carrier and tracking information when available, and explain what the customer should expect next.

In Shopify, the shipping confirmation notification is triggered when an order is fulfilled. When a tracking number is added to a fulfilled order, customers can use tracking information through shipping emails and the order status page. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Backorder Shipping Confirmation Email Template

Here is a practical template you can adapt for an ecommerce store.

Hi [Customer Name],

Good news — the [Product Name] from order #[Order Number] has shipped.

Your order was previously on backorder, and we appreciate your patience while we waited for new inventory.

Carrier: [Carrier Name]
Tracking Number: [Tracking Number]

You can use the tracking information above to follow your shipment.

Thank you for your patience and for choosing [Company Name].

Best,
[Company Name]
[Customer Service Team]

Table of Contents

What Is a Backorder Shipping Confirmation Email?

A backorder shipping confirmation email is sent after a previously backordered product has moved into fulfillment and shipping.

The customer may have already received one or more messages explaining that the product was unavailable. This email marks an important change: the product is now being shipped.

It should therefore feel different from a backorder update. A backorder update explains that the customer is still waiting. A shipping confirmation tells the customer that the waiting period has ended and the shipment has moved forward.

Shopify identifies shipping confirmation as a customer notification associated with order fulfillment. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

When to Send the Email

Send the shipping confirmation after the order or relevant item has actually been fulfilled according to your fulfillment process.

Typical situations include:

  • A backordered product has arrived in inventory.
  • The fulfillment team has prepared the item for shipment.
  • The item has been marked as fulfilled.
  • A carrier has received the shipment information.
  • A tracking number is available.

Avoid sending a message that says "Your order has shipped" if the order has only been restocked but has not actually entered the shipping process.

The exact point at which a shipment confirmation is sent depends on the store's fulfillment workflow. Shopify's standard shipping confirmation is associated with fulfillment. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Check the Shipment Before Sending

A shipping confirmation contains order and delivery information, so verify the details before the email is sent.

  • Customer name.
  • Order number.
  • Product name.
  • Product variant.
  • Quantity shipped.
  • Fulfillment status.
  • Carrier name.
  • Tracking number.
  • Tracking URL, if available.
  • Shipping address or destination details when appropriate.

Shopify notes that tracking information can be added automatically when shipping labels are purchased through Shopify or entered manually when using another carrier. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

What to Include

A useful backorder shipping confirmation normally includes:

  1. A clear subject line that signals the shipment.
  2. A personal greeting when appropriate.
  3. The order number for easy reference.
  4. The shipped product and relevant variant.
  5. A clear shipping confirmation that the item has shipped.
  6. Carrier information when available.
  7. Tracking information when available.
  8. Order-status access when your platform provides it.
  9. Expected delivery information when reliable.
  10. Customer support information for questions.

Keep the message focused. The customer is primarily looking for confirmation and tracking information.

How to Write the Email Step by Step

1. Start With the Good News

Because the customer has already waited for the backordered item, lead with the important update.

For example:

"Good news — your backordered item has shipped."

2. Identify the Order

Include the order number so the customer can immediately connect the message with the correct purchase.

3. Identify the Product

If only one product from the order has shipped, name that product clearly.

4. Provide Tracking Information

When tracking is available, provide the carrier and tracking number or a direct tracking link.

5. Explain the Next Step

Tell the customer how to track the shipment and where they can find further updates.

6. Thank the Customer for Waiting

A short acknowledgment of the customer's patience is appropriate after a backorder. Keep it genuine and concise.

How to Include Tracking Information

Tracking information is one of the most useful parts of a shipping confirmation. It gives customers a way to monitor the shipment without contacting customer support.

A simple format is:

Carrier: UPS
Tracking number: 1Z0000000000000000

Track your shipment:
[Tracking Link]

Do not invent or guess a tracking URL. Use the actual tracking information supplied by the carrier or fulfillment system.

Shopify states that customers can access shipment tracking through shipping notification emails and the order status page after tracking information has been added. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

What If Tracking Is Not Available Yet?

If the order has genuinely been fulfilled but a tracking number is not yet available, do not create a fake tracking link.

You can say:

"Your order has shipped. Tracking information will be available once it is provided by the carrier."

Use this only when the shipment status is accurate.

How to Discuss Estimated Delivery

An estimated delivery date can be useful when your shipping system or carrier provides a reliable estimate.

For example:

"The carrier currently estimates delivery between October 14 and October 16."

If the date is only an estimate, describe it as an estimate. Do not convert an estimated carrier date into a guaranteed promise.

This distinction is particularly important after a backorder because the customer has already experienced a delay.

If no reliable delivery estimate is available, simply provide the tracking information and explain that the carrier will provide status updates.

When Only One Item Ships

An order may contain multiple products, while only the previously backordered item becomes available.

Make it clear which item is shipping.

For example:

"The Classic Backpack from your order #10482 has now shipped. Your remaining item is being processed separately."

If the entire order has shipped, say so clearly instead.

When an order is split across multiple shipments, tracking information should be associated with the appropriate shipment. Shopify notes that multiple shipments can have separate tracking information. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Backorder Shipping Confirmation Subject Lines

The subject line should communicate the important change without creating unnecessary urgency.

  • Your Backordered [Product Name] Has Shipped
  • Good News — Your Order Has Shipped
  • Your [Product Name] Is On the Way
  • Shipping Confirmation for Order #[Order Number]
  • Your Backorder Has Shipped
  • Order #[Order Number] Has Shipped
  • Your [Product Name] Is Finally On the Way
  • Shipment Confirmation: Order #[Order Number]

"Finally" can acknowledge a long wait, but use it only when it fits the brand voice. A straightforward subject line is often enough.

U.S. Ecommerce Example

Imagine a U.S. customer ordered a $129.99 kitchen appliance that was placed on backorder. New inventory arrives, the order is fulfilled, and the retailer receives a UPS tracking number.

Hi Sarah,

Good news — the CoffeePro Compact Coffee Maker from order #10482 has shipped.

We appreciate your patience while we waited for new inventory to arrive.

Carrier: UPS
Tracking number: 1Z0000000000000000

You can use the tracking information to follow your shipment and view the latest delivery updates.

Thank you for waiting, and we hope you enjoy your new coffee maker.

Best,
Customer Care Team
[Store Name]

This is a hypothetical example. The product, price, carrier, tracking number, and delivery information should always be replaced with actual order data.

Backorder Shipping Confirmation Automation

A backorder shipping confirmation can fit naturally into an automated post-purchase workflow when your ecommerce and fulfillment systems are synchronized.

A simple workflow might look like this:

  1. Customer places an order for a backordered product.
  2. Customer receives a backorder notification.
  3. Inventory becomes available.
  4. The order moves into fulfillment.
  5. The fulfillment system records the shipment.
  6. Tracking information is added when available.
  7. Shipping confirmation is sent.
  8. Later shipping updates are sent when the tracking status changes.

Shopify's customer notifications are event-based. Its current documentation states that shipping confirmation is associated with fulfillment and shipping updates can be triggered when tracking information is updated. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If you customize shipping notification templates, test the workflow before using it for real customers. Shopify recommends testing order-status and shipping notification functionality after configuration. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

For broader automation concepts, see Email Marketing Automation .

For customer journey planning, see Email Marketing Customer Journey .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Saying "Shipped" Before the Order Ships

Do not send a shipping confirmation simply because inventory has arrived. The order should actually have entered the shipping or fulfillment stage represented by your message.

2. Using a Fake Tracking Number

Never create example tracking information inside a real customer email. Use the actual carrier-generated tracking information.

3. Forgetting the Order Number

Customers should be able to identify the relevant order quickly.

4. Confusing Restock With Shipment

A product becoming available does not automatically mean that the customer's package has shipped.

5. Promising a Guaranteed Delivery Date

Unless your business genuinely guarantees the date, describe it as an estimate.

6. Sending the Wrong Tracking Information

This can happen when an order contains multiple shipments. Check that the tracking information belongs to the correct order and shipment.

7. Repeating the Entire Backorder Story

The customer already knows they were waiting. A short acknowledgment is enough. Focus the email on the new information: the item has shipped.

8. Adding Unrelated Promotions

A shipping confirmation is primarily a transactional message. Do not bury the useful shipping information under unnecessary promotional content.

Backorder Shipping Confirmation Checklist

  • ☐ The item has actually entered the shipping or fulfillment stage.
  • ☐ The customer name is correct.
  • ☐ The order number is correct.
  • ☐ The product name is correct.
  • ☐ The product variant is correct when applicable.
  • ☐ The quantity shipped is accurate.
  • ☐ The carrier information is correct.
  • ☐ The tracking number is correct when available.
  • ☐ The tracking link points to the correct shipment.
  • ☐ Estimated delivery information is clearly labeled as an estimate.
  • ☐ No unsupported delivery guarantee is included.
  • ☐ Split shipments are explained when applicable.
  • ☐ The email is easy to read on mobile devices.
  • ☐ The subject line accurately describes the shipment.
  • ☐ The message thanks the customer for their patience without unnecessary repetition.

Final Thoughts

A backorder shipping confirmation email is the moment when a long wait turns into visible progress. The customer should not have to guess whether the product has finally shipped.

State clearly that the item has shipped, identify the order and product, provide accurate tracking information, and explain what the customer can expect next.

Keep the message focused on useful shipment information. After a backorder, clarity matters more than adding extra promotional content.

About the Author

Muhammad Nasir Uddin is an Assistant Professor of English and a digital marketing practitioner focused on email marketing, audience growth, SEO content, customer acquisition, and marketing automation.

This article is part of an ongoing Email Marketing + List Building + Blogging for Audience Growth content series.

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