Configure > Shipping > Integrated Carriers

FedEx®

FedEx provides the FedEx Ship Manager Server for customers that have an absolute need for integration, and speed of shipment processing.  AbleCommerce delivers real-time shipping services and rates through the FedEx integration.  The AbleCommerce FedEx configuration page includes features like selecting your packaging type and drop off location, adding insurance, and automatic package breakup when a weight limit is exceeded.  AbleCommerce uses your product's weight and dimensions to calculate the most accurate rates possible.  

The AbleCommerce integration with FedEx Ship Manager includes U.S. domestic and international shipping rates and tracking services.

FedEx® Features and Requirements

  • AbleCommerce configuration requires that you have an Account Number and Meter Number for your FedEx shipping account.

  • FedEx 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 from U.S. and Canada only.

  • Shipping to international destinations is available.

  • Shipment tracking features are built-into AbleCommerce.  Tracking services are provided by FedEx.

Register with FedEx®

In order to use FedEx®, you must have an existing shipping account.

  1. From the Integrated Carriers page, click the ADD CARRIER button to choose the FedEx link or click the FedEx link directly from this page, whichever is available.  

  2. Click the NEXT button to continue.



    You will need to have an existing shipping account with FedEx before continuing.

  3. The next page is the registration form where you will enter contact information for this account.  Fields designated with "R" must be completed.



    Enter your FedEx Account Number in the field provided.  If you don't have an account number, you need to contact FedEx before continuing.

    You must enter a contact name, title, company name, website URL, street address, city, state, and zip code.  If you don't have Street Address 2, just enter anything since it's a required field.  Select United States or Canada for the country, enter a 10-digit phone number without spaces or hyphens, and an email address.

    Click the FINISH button to continue.

  4. After completing the short registration process, you will be on the Configure FedEx page as shown in the example below.



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

  5. After configuration of the shipping gateway, you can return to this page by going to Configure > Shipping > Integrated Carriers.

  6. Click the EDIT icon to access the configuration pages for any of the integrated carriers.  

Configure FedEx®

The settings here can impact the rates returned by FedEx.  

  1. From the Integrated Carriers page, click the EDIT icon for FedEx.  This will bring you to the Configuration Settings menu.

  2. Enter your FedEx Account Number and Meter Number.  This information can be obtained from FedEx.  

  3. Choose your Packaging Type.  This is how you will package items to ship.

    • YourPackaging - Uses product sizes (LxWxH) to calculate the most accurate rates.

    • FedExEnvelope, FedExPac, FedExBox, FedExTube, FedEx10KGBox, FedEx25KGBox - product dimensions not used, instead services and rates are based on the FedEx's packaging.

  4. Choose the Drop Off Type.  This is how FedEx will expect to get the package.

    • RegularPickup, RequestCourier, DropBox, BusinessServiceCenter, Station - the rates will vary slightly depending on the type of service selected.

  5. 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.

    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.  

  6. If you want to include insurance in the rate quote, then enable Include Declared Value.  When this option is enabled, AbleCommerce sends the value of the shipment to the service rate provider.  Most shipping services already provide insurance up to a certain amount.

  7. 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.



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

    Test Mode 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.

  8. 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 FedEx are logged. This should only be enabled at the direction of qualified support personnel.

    Default Log File Location: ..\App_Data\Logs\[gatewayname].log

  9. When finished, click the UPDATE button.  This DOES NOT COMPLETE setup of the shipping gateway.  Please see Configuring Shipping Services for FedEx in the next section.
    Or, you can click the CLOSE button to return to the Integrated Carriers page.

Configuring Shipping Services for FedEx®

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

  1. From the Integrated Carriers page, click the EDIT icon for FedEx.

  2. At the top of the menu, click the Services (Shipping Methods) tab.  This will bring you to the Provider Services/Shipping Methods menu.



    In the top section, you will see the Provider Services that are configured and in use for your store.  After registering a new shipping account through AbleCommerce, the gateway will have nothing configured by default.

    In the bottom section, you will see a list of all available Provider Services for FedEx  When the service is listed in this section, it is unavailable and will not be offered as a shipping option in your store. You should review the entire list of shipping services offered and decide which ones you want to make available.

  3. In our example, we will add and configure the FedEx Ground shipping service.  In the bottom section, Provider Services Not Configured, check the box next to FedEx Ground and any others you want to offer as a shipping service.

  4. Click the ADD DEFAULT CONFIGURATION button.  The selected shipping services now appear in the Provider Services (Ship Methods) Configured section.

  5. Each shipping service will use it's own configuration settings.  To configure a shipping service, click the EDIT icon to view the Edit Method page.

  6. The above example shows the default configuration values for all shipping services added.

  7. 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.

  8. The Service is a list of all services available through this shipping gateway.  They can be selected and configured from this page.

  9.  Enter a surcharge or Handling Fee to be included with the order.  This can be a fixed amount or percentage of the shipping amount.

  10. You also have the option to include the fee in the shipping charge, or show it as a separate item on the invoices.

  11. 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.


  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. The Minimum Purchase field is the minimum amount that must be purchased before this shipping service 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.

  15. If these shipping charges are taxable, then select a 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.


  16. Click the SAVE button when finished.  This will bring you back to the Configure Shipping Methods menu.

  17. From this page, you can continue to add and configure shipping services from the Add Integrated Carrier Method section.

  18. 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. 

 

FedEx® is a registered trademark of FedEx Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.