{"section":"tutorials","requestedLocale":"en","requestedSlug":"shipping-strategy","locale":"en","slug":"shipping-strategy","path":"docs/en/tutorials/shipping/shipping-strategy/shipping-strategy.md","branch":"main","content":"The shipping strategy refers to the relationship between inventory, loading dock and shipping policy. The way they communicate will define the structure combination for shipping your customers’ orders. \n\n![shipping_strategy_EN](https://cdn.statically.io/gh/vtexdocs/help-center-content/refs/heads/main/docs/en/tutorials/shipping/shipping-strategy/shipping-strategy_1.png)\n\n<table class=\"w-100 center mv7 bb b--gray\">\n   <tr class=\"bb b--muted-3\">\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">\n                **[Warehouse](/en/docs/tutorials/warehouse)**\n            </td>\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">Goods stored in a warehouse or store. It works as a tool to control the availability of products.\n            </td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr class=\"bb b--muted-3\">\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">\n                **[Loading dock](/en/docs/tutorials/loading-dock)**\n            </td>\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">Where goods are loaded onto trucks to be delivered or distributed. Operates as a product storage area.\n            </td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr class=\"bb b--muted-3\">\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">\n                **[Shipping policy](/en/docs/tutorials/shipping-policy)**\n            </td>\n            <td class=\"t-body pa5\">A set of rules that define the shipping options and conditions that will be displayed to the customer at checkout. \n            </td>\n    </tr>\n</table>\n\n## Initial logistics settings\n\nYou can configure initial settings through the VTEX Admin or via API. If you are starting to configure your shipping strategy, we recommend the following order:\n\n| **Topic** | **Configuration via VTEX Admin** | **Configuration via API** |\n| :--- | :--- | :--- |\n| 1. [Shipping policy](/en/docs/tutorials/shipping-policy) | [Creating a shipping policy](/en/docs/tutorials/creating-a-shipping-policy) | [Create shipping policy](https://developers.vtex.com/docs/api-reference/logistics-api#post-/api/logistics/pvt/shipping-policies) |\n| 2. [Loading dock](/en/docs/tutorials/loading-dock) | [Managing loading docks](/en/docs/tutorials/managing-loading-docks) | [Create/update dock](https://developers.vtex.com/docs/api-reference/logistics-api#post-/api/logistics/pvt/configuration/docks) |\n| 3. [Warehouse](/en/docs/tutorials/warehouse) | [Managing warehouses](/en/docs/tutorials/managing-warehouses) | [Create/update warehouse](https://developers.vtex.com/docs/api-reference/logistics-api#post-/api/logistics/pvt/configuration/warehouses) |"}