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eCommerce News
What the Sendle Shutdown Means for Your eCommerce Business
Sendle’s sudden shutdown is disrupting eCommerce shipping overnight. Here’s what happened, what to do next, and how to future-proof fulfillment so orders keep moving.
If you’ve been using Sendle as your go-to shipping provider, you likely woke up recently to some shocking news: Sendle has ceased operations and stopped accepting new parcel bookings effective January 11, 2026.
For many small and mid-sized eCommerce sellers, this abrupt shutdown has raised urgent questions about how to fulfil orders, manage shipping costs, and keep customers happy — all at a time when shipping complexity and rising expenses are already squeezing profit margins. Let’s unpack what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can confidently move forward without disruption.
Why Has Sendle Ceased Operations?
Sendle was founded in 2014 with a mission to make shipping affordable, eco-friendly, and easy for small businesses. It quickly became popular among online sellers in the US, Australia, and Canada by offering flat-rate, carbon-neutral delivery and a simple booking experience that didn’t require minimum volumes.
In August 2025, Sendle merged with two US logistics companies — FirstMile and ACI Logistix — under a combined entity called FAST Group. The goal was to build a stronger global logistics platform. However, shortly after the merger, financial concerns emerged. Investors reportedly identified deficiencies in financial statements and funding issues within ACI Logistix, which led a key backer to withdraw support.
As a result, Sendle and its partners were unable to sustain operations, leading to the sudden shutdown of new bookings and support functions in early January 2026. While parcels already in transit will still be delivered depending on postal partners, the closure has left many businesses scrambling to find new shipping solutions.
What Are the Alternatives for Businesses Using Sendle?
For businesses that relied on Sendle, now is the time to reassess your shipping setup and move quickly to avoid disruption — especially if you’re managing 100–2,500 shipments per month and depend on predictable delivery costs and service levels.
Here are some alternatives to Sendle many merchants are considering:
Major Carriers
- USPS – A reliable baseline option with broad domestic coverage, especially for lightweight parcels
- FedEx and UPS – Strong service levels and reliability for domestic and international shipments, though typically at higher list rates
- DHL – A popular option for international eCommerce shipping
- Australia Post - Australia’s official postal service, offering affordable rates and last-mile delivery
Multi-Carrier Shipping Platforms
Many businesses are choosing to move away from relying on a single carrier altogether by switching to a multi-carrier shipping platform. Tools like Easyship allow merchants to compare hundreds of courier services in one dashboard, access pre-negotiated discounted rates, automate label creation, and offer real-time shipping rates at checkout.
The key advantage of a multi-carrier approach is flexibility. If one courier experiences delays, price hikes, or service interruptions, you can quickly switch to another without disrupting your fulfillment workflow.
How to Deal With This Kind of Disruption in the Future
In the logistics space, it’s unfortunately common to see some hurdles like these every now and then. While these kinds of predicaments do happen, it’s possible to evade major upheaval by following these steps:
- Diversify your shipping partners: Relying on a single shipping provider increases risk. Using multiple carriers ensures you always have a backup option when something goes wrong.
- Monitor shipping costs closely: Shipping rates change frequently. Monitor shipping costs to catch rate increases and service problems early.
- Have a contingency plan: Unexpected shutdowns happen. Having alternative carriers and systems already connected makes it much easier to adapt when disruptions occur.
Looking to the Future
The Sendle shutdown is a clear reminder of the importance of building resilience into your shipping strategy. While disruptive, it’s also an opportunity to reassess how you manage fulfillment, reduce reliance on a single provider, and adopt tools that support long-term growth.
For growing eCommerce brands, flexibility, automation, and choice are essential to protecting margins, saving time, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Sign up with Easyship to stay afloat during uncertainty! Create an account for free today.
FAQs About the Sendle Shutdown
What exactly happened with Sendle?
Sendle abruptly stopped accepting new parcels and shut down support operations in January 2026 following financial issues linked to its recent merger with FirstMile and ACI Logistix.
Can I still fulfill shipments that were already booked with Sendle?
In some cases, parcels that were already collected and in transit may still be delivered. However, no new bookings are being processed.
Will Sendle resume operations?
At this time, there is no indication that Sendle will restart shipping services. The shutdown appears to be permanent.
What are some immediate alternatives I can switch to?
Many merchants are turning to major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS, or switching to multi-carrier shipping platforms such as Easyship to replace Sendle.
How fast can I migrate to a new shipping platform?
For most eCommerce platforms, migration can be completed within hours using no-code integrations — especially for stores on Shopify, WooCommerce, and major marketplaces.
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