DilKart

Shipping update WhatsApp message templates

By DilKart Editorial. Updated 16 October 2026.

Shipping updates answer the question every buyer has after paying: when will it arrive? Sent at the right moments, they cut support messages and make it more likely someone is home when the courier calls.

The first four cover a normal delivery. The last four cover what to say when something goes wrong.

Normal delivery

Template 1: shipped

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} has shipped with {{courier}}.
Expected delivery: {{delivery_window}}
Track it: {{tracking_link}}

Template 2: in transit

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} is on its way and has reached {{hub_city}}. Expected delivery: {{delivery_window}}.

Template 3: out for delivery

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} is out for delivery today. Please keep {{cod_amount}} ready if you chose cash on delivery. Track: {{tracking_link}}

Template 4: delivered

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} has been delivered. If anything is not right, reply here and we'll sort it out.

When something goes wrong

Template 5: delayed

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} is running late. The new expected delivery is {{new_window}}. Sorry for the wait, and thank you for your patience.

Template 6: delivery attempt failed

Hi {{name}}, {{courier}} could not deliver your order {{order_id}} today. Reply here with a good time or an updated address and we'll arrange another attempt.

Template 7: address needed

Hi {{name}}, the courier needs a little more detail to deliver order {{order_id}}. Please reply with a landmark or your full address.

Template 8: returning to us

Hi {{name}}, your order {{order_id}} could not be delivered and is on its way back to us. Reply here if you'd still like it, and we'll help.

Template 9: bonus, partial delivery

Hi {{name}}, part of your order {{order_id}} has been delivered. The rest ({{remaining_items}}) is on its way and should arrive by {{delivery_window}}.

How to use these templates

  1. Connect your store and courier data so shipping events reach your WhatsApp tool.
  2. Submit templates 1, 3 and 4 first; they cover most orders.
  3. Add 5 to 8 for the cases your courier data can detect.
  4. Map each to its event and test with a real shipment.
  5. Make sure each event sends one message, not two.

Timing tips

Keep them utility

Our pick: Tadlo AI

Tadlo AI

Our top pick

Best for: Sending shipping updates

Order and shipping updates follow each order from cart to doorstep as utility messages (Growth plan and above). Meta bills the utility rate directly to your own account, with no Tadlo markup.

Price: Free forever plan with up to 10 messages a day. Starter ₹999, Growth ₹2,499, Pro ₹5,999 and Scale ₹11,999 a month, priced on unique contacts engaged per month. Meta's message charges are billed by Meta directly to your own account, and Tadlo adds no markup. Prices exclude GST.

Strengths

  • No markup on Meta's message charges: Meta bills your own WhatsApp Business Account directly, and Tadlo only charges a flat plan
  • Built for D2C: abandoned cart recovery, COD to prepaid nudges and order updates from Shopify and WooCommerce (Growth plan and above)
  • Instagram comments to WhatsApp chats, which most WhatsApp-only tools cannot do
  • Priced on unique people reached, not on every message, so you can follow up without counting sends
  • Number health checks every 15 minutes, gradual ramp-up for new numbers and automatic opt-out handling
  • Your WhatsApp Business Account is created inside your own Meta business account, so it stays yours

Limitations

  • Newer than AiSensy, WATI or Interakt, with a shorter track record
  • Commerce automations start on the Growth plan (₹2,499 a month)
  • Tadlo AI is onboarding brands in stages, and you request access on its WhatsApp page.

Visit Tadlo AI

Frequently asked questions

Which shipping updates should I send on WhatsApp?

Shipped, out for delivery and delivered for every order, plus delay and failed-delivery messages when they happen.

How much do WhatsApp shipping updates cost?

₹0.115 each to Indian numbers from 1 October 2026, as utility messages, plus any provider markup.

Can buyers reply to shipping updates?

Yes. Replies arrive in your WhatsApp inbox, so someone should check it on delivery days.

Can I send shipping updates in Hindi?

Yes. Submit each template in Hindi as a separate version, and send buyers the language they shop in.

Do shipping updates reduce returns?

The out-for-delivery message helps with one cause, buyers not being ready for the courier, especially on cash on delivery orders.

Sources