Overview
This document will outline how to get started with setting up a ShipperHQ account when you want to use live rates from a carrier such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. In this case, ShipperHQ will pull the rates from the designated carrier using account information you have set with the carrier.
These carriers can be:
- Live rate small package carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS
- Live-rate LTL freight carriers and 3PLs like Cerasis, TForce Freight, or YRC
All of these carriers can be added from the Carriers page, which can be reached from the ShipperHQ dashboard left-hand navigation.
Optionally, you can apply shipping rules to a Carrier in order to manipulate the rates. For example, you could say show UPS live rates but have a rule that surcharges UPS Ground by 10% if BIKES are in the cart.
How live rate carriers work in ShipperHQ:
- Your customers reach the checkout and enter their billing information
- ShipperHQ takes the shipping information such as address, product details and package/packing details from that order and then converts it into a request sent to the carrier.
- The carrier returns rating information and other details back to ShipperHQ.
- ShipperHQ filters out or adjusts this information as needed and returns the final result back to the cart.
- The customer will see the rates and options based on what you have set up within your ShipperHQ account
Adding a Carrier
There are two steps involved in getting live rates from a carrier:
- Adding a Live Rate Carrier
You will first need to choose a live rate carrier that you would like to add to your ShipperHQ account so that you can configure the carrier settings.
How to Add a Live Rate Carrier - Validating a Live Rate Carrier
In order the live rate carrier you have just added to access your negotiated account rates you will need to enter your carrier account credentials and have them validated. How to Validate a Live Rate Carrier
Carrier Supported by ShipperHQ
Small Package Carrier
Here are some of the carriers supported by ShipperHQ.
| Carrier | Description | Region | Further Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | Connect to a UPS account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the UPS API | US+INTL, UK | UPS Carrier Configuration |
| UPS Access Point | Connect to a UPS account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the UPS API | US+INTL | UPS Access Point Configuration |
| FedEx | Connect to a FedEx account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the FedEx API | US+INTL, UK, AU | FedEx Carrier Configuration |
| USPS | Choose United States Postal Service (USPS) shipping methods to make available and retrieve rates via the USPS API | US+INTL | USPS Carrier Configuration |
| Canada Post | Connect to a Canada Post account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the Canada Post API | US+INTL | Canada Post Carrier Configuration |
| Australia Post | Connect to a Australia Post account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the Australia Post API | US+INTL, AU | Australia Post Configuration |
| DHL Express | Connect to a DHL account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the DHL Express API. | US+INTL, UK, AU | DHL Carrier Configuration |
| DHL Express via ILS | Connect to a DHL account via ILS, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the DHL API | US+INTL, UK, AU (Intl. shipments only) | DHL via ILS Online Application |
| GLS US | Connect to a GLS US account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the GSO API | US+INTL | GLS US Configuration |
| Aramex Australia | Connect to a fastway account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the Fastway API | US+INTL, AU | Aramex Australia Configuration |
| Startrack | Connect to a Startrack account, choose the shipping methods to make available, and retrieve rates via the Startrack API | US+INTL, AU | StarTrack Configuration |
LTL Freight Carrier
LTL carriers share a number of configuration options. See the LTL Freight Configuration Overview for an explanation of these options.
| Carrier | Description | Region | Further Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| TForce Freight | Connect to a TForce Freight account (formerly UPS Freight) and retrieve rates via the TForce Freight API | US+INTL | TForce Freight Carrier Configuration |
| Echo | Echo API Connector | US+INTL | Obtaining Echo Credentials |
| ABF | Connect to a ABF account and retrieve rates via the ABF API | US+INTL | ABF Carrier Configuration |
| Estes | Connect to a Estes account and retrieve rates via the Estes API | US+INTL | Estes Carrier Configuration |
| FedEx Freight | Connect to a FedEx Freight account and retrieve rates via the FedEx Freight API | US+INTL | Fedex Freight Carrier Configuration |
| Old Dominion | Connect to an Old Dominion account and retrieve rates via the Old Dominion API | US+INTL | Old Dominion Carrier Configuration |
| Kuehne+Nagel LTL+ (ReTrans Freight) | Connect to a Kuehne+Nagel LTL+ account and retrieve rates via the Kuehne+Nagel LTL API | US+INTL | Kuehne+Nagel LTL+ Configuration |
| R+L | Connect to a R+L account and retrieve rates via the R+L API | US+INTL | R+L Carrier Configuration |
| Vitran Express | Connect to a Vitran Express Freight account and retrieve rates via the Vitran Freight API | US+INTL | Vitran Carrier Configuration |
| XPO Logistics (formerly Con-way Freight) | Connect to a XPO Logistics account and retrieve rates via the XPO Logistics API | US+INTL | XPO Carrier Configuration |
Standard Carrier Configuration
It’s important to realize just because their are options you do not need to use all of them. We advise the following options are important to look at:
- Origin – Its important a carrier belongs to at least 1 origin if you want rates to show for it
- Account Details – If you have a live carrier then you must set up the account details else it cannot connect. We do not provide accounts for you, all rates are dependent on your account with your carrier
- Negotiated Rates – Where applicable please ensure you select what types of rates to show. This is your responsibility
- Display Restrictions – Need to use UPS in US 48 only? This is the place to specify it
- Shipping Methods – You need to select what shipping methods/services to show in the checkout. For example you may want to show just UPS Ground and not Next Day Air
These are the basics of getting rates to show. In most cases the rest of the configuration in carriers does not need to be touched.
Advanced Configuration
We offer many additional features for the more advanced user. These include:
- Handling fee support
- Package/carrier weight limits
- Error handling
- Minimum/Maximum Carrier fees
Specific Carrier Options
In addition to general configuration, there are settings that vary depending on capabilities offered by the carrier. These may include:
- Signature Required
Bear in mind that if you are using the staging/sandbox server then you will not be receiving your negotiated rates (and are quite likely to be receiving higher than list rates aswell). We do not recommend using the sandbox for production usage as results can be erratic.
Next Steps
Now that you have your live rate carriers set up you may want to set up Shipping Rules to manipulate those rates and options with restrictions, surcharges and/or discounts. Or, you may want to set up a Custom Rate Carrier.