Your e-commerce system integrates with ShipEngine to provide real-time shipping calculations and access to multiple carrier services. This integration ensures customers receive accurate shipping rates at checkout and helps avoid cart abandonment due to unexpected shipping costs.
Accessing Shipping Configuration
To manage shipping services, navigate to: Administration → Store → Configuration → Shipping Account Administration → Store → Configuration → Shipping Services
The shipping configuration is split into two main areas: account setup and service selection.
Setting Up Your Shipping Account
Shipping Service Providers
Your system supports multiple shipping service providers:
AuctionInc Shipping (Default)
- Basic shipping calculations without external API requirements
- Suitable for simple shipping scenarios
- No additional configuration needed
ShipEngine Integration
- Professional shipping API with real-time carrier rates
- Supports multiple major carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL)
- Requires API key for full functionality
- Offers both free and paid service tiers
ShipEngine Account Setup
Creating a ShipEngine Account
- Visit the ShipEngine signup page to create a free account
- No contracts or setup costs required
- Obtain your API key from the ShipEngine dashboard
- Enter the API key in your shipping account configuration
API Key Configuration
- API Key: Your unique ShipEngine authentication token
- Leave blank: System will use default shipping services
- With API key: Enables real-time carrier calculations and advanced features
ShipEngine Benefits
Free Features
- Real-time shipping rate calculations
- Multiple carrier rate comparisons
- Transparent pricing for customers
- Reduced cart abandonment
Paid Features (available through ShipEngine)
- Create and purchase shipping labels
- Schedule package pickups
- Track shipments
- Advanced shipment management tools
Configuring Available Shipping Services
Once your ShipEngine account is connected, you can select which carrier services to offer customers at checkout.
Supported Carriers
USPS - Stamps.com
- Ground Advantage
- Priority Mail
- Priority Mail Express
- Media Mail
- Library Mail
- First-Class Mail
UPS
- Ground
- 3 Day Select
- 2nd Day Air
- Next Day Air
- Next Day Air Saver
- Worldwide Express
- Worldwide Expedited
FedEx
- Ground
- Home Delivery
- Express Saver
- 2Day
- Standard Overnight
- Priority Overnight
- International Economy
- International Priority
DHL
- Express Worldwide
- Express 12:00
- Express 10:30
- Express 9:00
- Domestic Express
Service Selection Process
For each carrier, you can enable or disable specific shipping services:
- Review Available Services: The system displays all services available through your ShipEngine integration
- Toggle Services: Use the Yes/No switches to enable or disable each service
- Save Configuration: Changes take effect immediately for new orders
Service Display
Enabled Services
- Appear as options during customer checkout
- Show real-time rates when available
- Allow customers to choose based on speed and cost preferences
Disabled Services
- Hidden from customer checkout process
- Not included in rate calculations
- Can be re-enabled at any time
Real-Time Rate Calculations
When properly configured, the system provides customers with accurate shipping costs based on:
Calculation Factors
- Package dimensions and weight
- Origin and destination addresses
- Selected shipping service
- Current carrier rates
- Any applicable shipping adjustments
Customer Experience
- Rates display during checkout process
- Multiple service options with delivery timeframes
- Transparent pricing builds customer trust
- Accurate costs reduce shipping-related support inquiries
Integration Workflow
The shipping integration follows this process:
Order Processing
- Customer adds items to cart
- System calculates package dimensions and weight
- ShipEngine API called with shipping details
- Real-time rates retrieved from carriers
- Rates displayed to customer with service options
- Customer selects preferred shipping method
- Final shipping cost included in order total
Rate Accuracy
- Rates are calculated in real-time during checkout
- Eliminates guesswork in shipping cost estimation
- Reduces discrepancies between quoted and actual shipping costs
- Improves customer satisfaction and reduces refund requests
Best Practices
Service Selection
- Enable popular services: Include commonly used options like Ground and Express
- Consider your market: International businesses should enable worldwide services
- Test regularly: Verify that enabled services meet customer needs
- Monitor usage: Review which services customers prefer most
Account Management
- Keep API credentials secure: Protect your ShipEngine API key
- Monitor account usage: Track API calls and service utilization
- Stay updated: Review ShipEngine dashboard for new features and services
- Test in staging: Verify shipping calculations before making changes live
Customer Communication
- Clear service descriptions: Ensure customers understand delivery timeframes
- Set expectations: Communicate processing times in addition to shipping times
- Provide tracking: Use ShipEngine's tracking features when available
- Handle exceptions: Have processes for shipping issues and delays
Troubleshooting Common Issues
API Connection Problems
- Verify API key: Ensure the key is entered correctly in your configuration
- Check account status: Confirm your ShipEngine account is active
- Test connectivity: Use ShipEngine's testing tools to verify integration
- Review error logs: Check system logs for specific error messages
Missing Services
- Confirm carrier accounts: Some services require direct carrier relationships
- Check service availability: Not all services are available in all regions
- Review ShipEngine dashboard: Verify which services your account includes
- Contact ShipEngine support: Get assistance with service activation
Rate Calculation Issues
- Verify product dimensions: Ensure accurate weight and size information
- Check origin address: Confirm your business address is correct
- Test with known addresses: Use addresses you can verify shipping costs for
- Review shipping adjustments: Check if any rate modifications are affecting calculations
Performance Considerations
- API response times: Monitor how long rate calculations take
- Fallback options: Have backup shipping methods if API is unavailable
- Cache considerations: Understand how rates are cached during checkout
- Load testing: Ensure the integration handles high traffic periods
Advanced Features
Shipping Adjustments Integration
- Shipping adjustments work in conjunction with ShipEngine rates
- Percentage and fixed amount modifications apply to real-time rates
- Priority rules determine which adjustments take precedence
- Custom rules can override standard rate calculations
International Shipping
- Enable international services for global customers
- Understand customs and duty implications
- Consider restricted countries and products
- Provide clear international shipping policies
Multi-Location Shipping
- Configure different origin addresses for different products
- Set up warehouse-specific shipping rules
- Handle drop-shipping scenarios
- Coordinate with inventory management systems
For additional assistance with ShipEngine integration or shipping configuration, contact our support team through your admin panel or consult the ShipEngine documentation for advanced features.