Configure > Shipping > Integrated Carriers

DHL International

DHL provides ShipIT (Ship Internet Tool), an XML based shipment processing advanced program interface for domestic shipments with DHL. ShipIt provides customers with the ability to connect to DHL programmatically, submit shipment information, and receive rate and service estimates in an XML response message.

AbleCommerce integrates with DHL's services, ShipIT, RateIT, and TrackIT. These services are designed to implement domestic shipping functionality only. AbleCommerce's implementation of DHL's services include calculating shipments for retrieval of accurate rate quotes and providing tracking information to your customers.

DHL Features and Requirements

AbleCommerce configuration requires that you have an API user with login ID, password, and a customer number.
You will need to generate a shipping key within your DHL online account.
All DHL services must be configured to use a warehouse that matches the zip code used for your account with DHL.
DHL customers may be asked to go through a Certification Test before their shipping account is placed in "production" status. You will need to let DHL know that you use AbleCommerce software and it is already certified.
DHL expects all product measurements to be in pounds and inches. Rates will still be calculated if you use a different unit of measurement, but there is additional overhead in converting the measurements. You will have the best performance if you use pounds and inches to begin with.
Shipping API will support shipping within the domestic US (including Alaska and Hawaii).
Shipping to and from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands or any other international destination is not available.
Shipment tracking features are built-into AbleCommerce. Tracking services are provided by Airborne's TrackIt.

Register with DHL

In order to use DHL, you must activate your DHL account. The AbleCommerce software integration with DHL is certified.

From the Integrated Carriers page, click the ADD CARRIER button to choose the DHL link or click the DHL link directly from this page, whichever is available.
On the DHL Activation page, enter your DHL User ID and DHL Password. This information is provided by DHL.
Click the REGISTER button to continue, or CANCEL to quit.
After completing the short registration process, you will be on the Configure DHL International page as shown in the example below.

The settings on this page will impact the services and rates in your store. See Configure DHL in the next section.

Configure DHL

You should login to your DHL shipping account to obtain information needed to complete the configuration.

From the Integrated Carriers page, click the EDIT icon for DHL. This will bring you to the Configuration Settings menu.
Confirm your DHL User ID and Password. This information can be obtained from DHL.
Enter your DHL Account Number and Shipping Key. This information can be obtained from DHL.
In the next section of the configuration page, you will see several advanced options for shipping internationally. Complete as needed.
Enable Package Breakup. If a shipment exceeds the maximum weight a carrier specifies, do you want the calculations to break the shipment into smaller packages. This will not create new shipments. It will calculate a single rate based on the total shipment weight, divided, to create two or more shipments within the rate allowance. The Maximum and Minimum weight values are shown.

e.g. A customer orders 100 pounds of assorted items. The maximum weight for a single package has been exceeded. AbleCommerce divides 100 pounds by 2 for a result of 50 pounds in two packages that are both within the allowed shipping weight. The rates for each package are calculated and added together so the customer will see just one rate for the shipment.

NOTE: The Days To Ship option must be changed to a value of "1", which is the minimum.

The URL settings come pre-configured when you create the shipping account through AbleCommerce. These URL's can change so the fields are available for modification. It is not advisable to modify the URL's here unless specifically instructed to do so.

Rating URL: The URL to which requests are posted in Live mode.

Test Server URL: The URL to which requests are posted in Test Mode.

Tracking URL: The URL to which requests are sent for package tracking. {0} is substituted with the tracking number at the time of request.
The Mode settings are used to enable/disable rates from the test server. Debugging can also be enabled which can help with any communication problems.

Test Mode: When Test Mode is enabled, rate requests are sent to test server using the Test Mode URL.

Debug Mode: When debug mode is enabled, all messages sent to and received from DHL are logged. This should only be enabled at the direction of qualified support personnel.

Default Log File Location: ..\App_Data\Logs\[gatewayname].log
When finished, click the UPDATE button. This DOES NOT COMPLETE setup of the shipping gateway. Please see Configuring Shipping Services for DHL in the next section.
Or, you can click the CLOSE button to return to the Integrated Carriers page.

Configuring Shipping Services for DHL

You must select the services you want to be available to your customers. Each service (shipping method) is configured separately.

From the Integrated Carriers page, click the EDIT icon for DHL.
At the bottom of the page, you will see a list of Add Shipping Method section for DHL. This is a list of all services offered by the provider. You should review the entire list of shipping services offered and decide which ones you want to make available as shipping options in your store.
In our example, we will add and configure the DHL International Express service. Check the box and click the ADD button.
The selected shipping services now appear in the Configured Shipping Methods section.
Each shipping service will use its own configuration settings. To configure a shipping service, click the EDIT icon to view the Edit Method page.
The above example shows the default configuration values for all shipping services added.
Change the Method Name if needed. This is the name that will be displayed to the customer and the merchant on all invoices and receipts.
If these shipping charges are taxable, then select a Shipping Tax Code. Make sure you understand the tax laws according to your local tax authority.
Taxes on shipping charges are combined with any other taxes calculated for the shipment.
Use the Handling Fee option to include a charge for handling or processing. The handling fee can be a fixed amount, percent of the shipping charge, or a percentage of the shipment total. New in R7
There is an option to show the Handing Fee as a separate line item on the invoice, or to hide the amount in the shipping cost. If you show the handling fee separately, you can also select a Handling Tax Code if you are required to collect tax on this type of charge.
If this shipping service applies to a specific Warehouse(s), select it from Selected Warehouses list. Otherwise, use the All Warehouses option.
A warehouse determines the shipping origin.
If this shipping service applies to a specific Zone(s), select it from the Selected Zones list. Otherwise, use the All Zones option.
A zone determines the shipping destination.
When you apply a shipping service to a user group, then it will only appear for the users who are logged in as members of that group. Check the box(es) for Selected Groups or use All Groups if this shipping service is available to everyone.
The Minimum Purchase field is the designated minimum value of a shipment before this shipping method will be available. Until this limit is met, the shipping method will not display.
A minimum purchase value applies to the total of each shipment, not the total of the order.
The Maximum Purchase field is a new feature in Gold R7
The designated maximum value of a shipment before this shipping method will be available. If this limit is exceeded, the shipping method will not display.
A maximum purchase value applies to the total of each shipment, not the total of the order.
Click the SAVE button when finished. This will bring you back to the Configure Shipping Methods menu.
From this page, you can continue to add and configure shipping services from the Add Integrated Carrier Method section.
To add a new shipping service, select the Provider and then select the Service. Click the ADD button to edit as needed.

After editing and saving, you will be returned to the Configure Shipping Methods page.