Shipping Providers > USPS

The USPS Shipping Rate Request offered in eCart returns shipping quotes in real-time from the USPS Web service.

More information regarding signing up for this service from this provider can be found at:

http://www.usps.com/

The following details the configuration requirements to support a rate request from USPS:

  • User ID: Enter the USPS user ID assigned to your account.
  • XML server: Enter the full path to the secure XML server for your account (should be available by default).
  • Service type: Selects the specific kind of domestic service desired. To allow the customer to choose the option, insert the USPS Service Type snippet in the shipping form and select that form list's name from the Dynamic Data dialog.
  • Default international: Selects the specific kind of international service desired. To allow the customer to choose the option, insert the USPS Service Type snippet in the shipping form and select that form list's name from the Dynamic Data dialog.
  • Postal Code: Enter the postal code that your packages are shipped from. Select the lightning bolt to open the Dynamic Data dialog box if this value is assigned dynamically.
  • Packaging: Sets whether all of the items in the cart should be shipped together or separately.
  • Item is shipped: Determines whether the item in the cart is to be shipped via UPS or not. This setting is particularly useful in an online store which has a mixed of physical and digital goods; to apply this feature, assign the proper value to a column in the product database table and choose that value from the Dynamic Data dialog box.
  • Weight units: Declares the type of weight units to be used in calculating the total weight of the shipment. Standard values are either LBS (pounds) or KGS (kilograms).
  • Package weight: Determines the total weight of the package. Typically this field is set to the calculated shopping cart column TotalWeight by selecting the lightning bolt and expanding the shopping cart node in the Dynamic Data dialog box.
  • Package type: Sets the type of packaging used.
  • Package size: Sets the size of the package for the rate request. Options are:
    • Regular: package length plus girth is 84 inches or less
    • Large: package length plus girth that measures more than 84 inches (but less than
      108 inches) and weighs less than 15 pounds.
    • Oversized: package length plus girth is more than 108 but not more than 130 inches
  • Package machinable: Applies only to Parcel Post. The size, content, and weight of a Parcel Post package determine whether it is machinable or nonmachinable. For Parcel
    Post, the value entered must be either “True” or “False.” The “True” or “False” value specifically applies to the size and content of the package. A package is deemed nonmachinable if it weighs less than 6 ounces or over 35 pounds.
  • International package type: If the shipment is international, sets the valid packaging type.

Advanced configuration

The Checkout wizard is the most direct method for configuring the rate request server behaviors for your shopping cart and applying them to the page. However, these server behaviors can also be updated directly after completing the Checkout wizard, and can also be applied individually to a page specific to your needs.