# Book a shipment at a paired station

Check the work order and understand exactly which scan or confirmation authorises booking.

Source: https://help.smartfact.ai/manuals/parceloffice/station-booking

Review edition: 25 October 2026

Roles: operator, supervisor

Use this procedure for the station's Manual workflow. Guided, Assisted and Automatic change how the parcel choice is presented or confirmed; read [decision modes](/manuals/parceloffice/decision-modes) and check the current mode before scanning.

## Prepare the bench

Open **Station** on its paired browser and start your session. Confirm the station, signed-in person and printer status. If it is not paired, ask an Owner to pair it on that computer through **Team & stations**.

Focus the scan field. Use the terminator configured for the station, rather than adding characters to make a reference fit.

## Scan the work order first

Scan the exact work-order reference. Check the returned order/despatch reference, recipient, address and supplied parcel details.

A new order scan clears the previous loaded order before lookup. If lookup fails or returns a refusal, resolve that result; do not continue on an earlier recipient's information.

A preset scanned before an order does not load the order for you. Use the correct order reference and then the intended preset.

## Authorise the parcel/service choice

In Manual, scanning or selecting an eligible approved preset is the booking authorisation. Check its caption and parcel count before doing so. It is not merely a harmless preview step.

The station rechecks eligibility and current work. If a choice is refused, preserve the reason and ask the appropriate Supervisor, Author/Reviewer or Owner to correct the actual cause. Do not use an unrelated preset as a substitute.

## Wait for the existing result

Follow the recorded intent and booking state. If the despatch already has an open intent, inspect that work rather than trying to create another. If the browser answer is lost, return to the existing result and allow a Supervisor to establish the outcome.

For **booking unknown**, stop and follow [carrier uncertainty](/manuals/parceloffice/uncertain-booking).

## Complete the label handover

A booked shipment can still have labels waiting for retrieval, preparation or PrintStation. Follow the station's offered action or **Leave these labels for a supervisor** when appropriate.

Do not scan through unfinished labels to conceal the outstanding work. A printed label and a courier booking are distinct results; check both before processing the next physical parcel.

End your station session when finished. This does not cancel accepted bookings.