Shipping Methods

Shipping Methods allows you to manage the configuration of all available shipping methods in the system. You can define shipping methods, associate them with carriers, configure mail classes, package types, destinations, rate visibility, and apply global discounts or surcharges per carrier.

This tool is essential for 3PL administrators who need to configure and maintain shipping methods available for OMS clients. It allows you to control which methods are active, how rates are displayed, and apply global adjustments to shipping costs.

Why use Shipping Methods?

Centralized Management

Manage all shipping methods from a single table, enabling configuration and maintenance of shipping options for all clients.

Inline and Grid Edit

Edit shipping methods directly in the table using inline editing or grid edit for quick and efficient changes.

Rate Visibility Control

Control which methods show rates to clients and which are hidden, allowing you to manage the client experience.

Bulk Activation

Activate or deactivate multiple shipping methods at once using multiple selection and batch actions.

Global Carrier Discounts

Apply global discounts or surcharges (GCD) per carrier to adjust shipping costs at method or carrier level.

Detailed Configuration

Define mail classes, package types, destinations, box weights, and other specific parameters for each shipping method.

Accessing Shipping Methods

You can access Shipping Methods from:

• 3PL Billing Menu: Navigate to 3PL Billing > 3PL Prices > Shipping Methods

Information Shown in the Table

The Shipping Methods table shows the following columns for each method:

Basic Information

• ID: Unique identifier of the shipping method
• shipping method: Shipping method code (required)
• Shipping carrier: Associated carrier (required)
• Shipping method description: Shipping method description (required)

Shipping Configuration

• Mail class: Mail class (required)
• Package type: Package type (required)
• Destination: Shipment destination
• Layout: Method layout or format (required)
• Box weight (lb): Box weight in pounds (required)

Rate and Discount Configuration

• Global Surcharge / Markup (%): Global carrier discount or surcharge (GCD) - only visible if 3PL Billing is enabled
• Rates: Rate visibility (rates_visible)
  • Show-all: Shows all rates
  • Estimates: Shows rates only in estimates
  • Orders: Shows rates only in orders
  • Show-none: Hides rates

Codes and Additional Configuration

• Action Code: Action code (AuctionCod) (required)
• BIN: BIN code (required)
• LS-Code: LS code (iAbolCode) (required)

Status

• Active: Indicates if the method is active (Y/N) (required)

Create a New Shipping Method

You can create shipping methods using inline editing or the add form:

1. Open Add Mode

   Click Add to use the full form or Inline Add to add directly in the table.

2. Complete Required Fields

   Enter the following mandatory fields:

   • shipping method: Unique shipping method code
   • Shipping carrier: Select the carrier from the dropdown menu
   • Shipping method description: Clear method description
   • Mail class: Mail class
   • Package type: Package type
   • Layout: Layout or format
   • Box weight (lb): Box weight
   • Action Code: Action code
   • BIN: BIN code
   • LS-Code: LS code
   • Active: Select Y or N

3. Complete Optional Fields

   If necessary, enter:

   • Destination: Shipment destination
   • Global Surcharge / Markup (%): Global discount or surcharge (if 3PL Billing is enabled)
   • Rates: Configure rate visibility

4. Save the Method

   Click Update or Save to save the new shipping method.

Automatic Validation

The system automatically validates that all required fields are complete before allowing save.

Edit an Existing Shipping Method

You can edit methods using inline editing or grid edit:

Inline Editing

1. Activate Edit Mode

   Click the menu icon (three dots) in the row, then select Inline Edit from the dropdown.

2. Modify the Fields

   Update the fields you want to change. All fields are editable except the ID.

3. Save Changes

   Click Update to save the changes.

Grid Edit (Bulk Editing)

1. Activate Grid Edit

   Click Grid Edit at the top of the table.

2. Modify Multiple Methods

   Edit fields directly in table cells for multiple methods at once.

3. Save Changes

   Click Save to save all changes or Cancel to discard them.

Activate or Deactivate Methods

You can activate or deactivate methods individually or in bulk:

Individual Activation

1. Edit the Method

   Edit the method using inline editing.

2. Change Active Status

   Change the Active field to Y (active) or N (inactive).

3. Save

   Save the changes.

Bulk Activation

1. Select Methods

   Check the checkboxes of the methods you want to activate or deactivate.

   Or check Select All to select all visible methods.

2. Open Actions Menu

   Click the Actions button (with check-square icon) at the top of the table.

3. Select the Action

   Select:

   • Active: To activate selected methods
   • Deactivate: To deactivate selected methods

4. Confirm

   Selected methods will activate or deactivate automatically.

Permissions for Bulk Activation

The Active and Deactivate options in the Actions menu are only visible if 3PL Billing is enabled or if you have warehouse administrator permissions.

Control Rate Visibility

You can control which methods show rates to clients:

Individual Change

1. Edit the Method

   Edit the method using inline editing.

2. Modify Rates

   Change the Rates field (rates_visible) according to your needs:

   • Show-all: Shows all rates
   • Estimates: Shows rates only in estimates
   • Orders: Shows rates only in orders
   • Show-none: Hides rates

3. Save

   Save the changes.

Bulk Change

1. Select Methods

   Check the checkboxes of the methods you want to modify.

2. Open Actions Menu

   Click the Actions button.

3. Select Rate Action

   Select:

   • Rates - Show all: To show rates in selected methods
   • Rates - Show none: To hide rates in selected methods

4. Confirm

   Rate visibility will update automatically.

Configure Global Carrier Discounts

The Global Surcharge / Markup (%) field (GCD) allows you to apply global discounts or surcharges:

1. Edit the Method

   Edit the method using inline editing or grid edit.

2. Enter the Percentage

   In the Global Surcharge / Markup (%) field, enter:

   • A positive value to apply a surcharge (markup)
   • A negative value to apply a discount
   • 0 to apply no adjustment

3. Save

   Save the changes. The discount or surcharge will apply to that method’s rates.

Availability

The GCD field is only visible if the 3PL Billing module is enabled.

Links at the Top of the Page

At the top (TABLE: method shipping) you’ll find:

• Update Seller’s Surcharges: Link that updates seller surcharges according to the current shipping method configuration.
• Upload ShipMethod: Button that opens in a popup window to upload shipping methods via CSV file.

Update Seller’s Surcharges

You can update seller surcharges related to shipping methods:

1. Access the Function

   Click the Update Seller’s Surcharges link at the top of the page.

2. Process the Update

   The system will process and update seller surcharges according to the current shipping method configuration.

Using Seller’s Surcharges

This function synchronizes seller surcharges with the current shipping method configuration, ensuring costs are updated.

Row Menu Options

Each shipping method row has a menu (three dots) with these options:

• Inline Edit: Edit the method directly in the table
• Overlay: Open the overlay configuration modal
• Overlay Grid: Open the overlay grid configuration modal
• Add NBTY Barcode: Add NBTY barcode for shipping rules

Additionally, each row has a Delete link (with confirmation) to remove the shipping method. Delete is only visible if you have delete permissions.

Search Shipping Methods

You can search methods using advanced filters or basic search:

1. Open the Search Form

   Search fields appear at the top of the page.

2. Use Advanced Search

   You can filter by:

   • Shipping carrier: Select a specific carrier from the dropdown menu

3. Use Basic Search

   Enter search terms in the basic search field and select the type:

   • Exact phrase: Search for the exact phrase
   • All words: Search for records containing all words
   • Any word: Search for records containing any of the words

4. Apply the Search

   Click Search (*) or press Enter to apply the filters.

5. Clear Filters

   Click Reset or Show all to clear all filters.

💡 Best Practices

Use Clear Descriptions

Use clear and descriptive descriptions for each shipping method to enable identification and selection by clients.

Keep Active Methods Updated

Periodically review which methods are active and deactivate methods you no longer use to keep the list organized.

Configure Rates Appropriately

Use “Show-all” for methods you want clients to see and hide rates for special or internal methods.

Apply Global Discounts Carefully

Carefully review global discounts or surcharges before applying them, as they affect all shipping costs for that method.

Use Grid Edit for Bulk Changes

When you need to make similar changes to multiple methods, use Grid Edit to do it efficiently.

Verify Carrier Configurations

Make sure each method is associated with the correct carrier and that configurations match the carrier’s capabilities.

Troubleshooting

I can’t see the Global Surcharge / Markup field

Problem: I don’t see the GCD column in the table.

Solution:

• The GCD field is only visible if the 3PL Billing module is enabled
• Verify that the module is enabled in system configuration
• If you need this field, contact the system administrator to enable 3PL Billing

I can’t activate or deactivate methods in bulk

Problem: I don’t see the Active/Deactivate options in the Actions menu.

Solution:

• Bulk activation is only available if 3PL Billing is enabled or if you have specific permissions
• Verify that you have the necessary permissions
• Contact the system administrator if the problem persists

Changes don’t save

Problem: I modify fields but changes don’t save.

Solution:

• Verify that all required fields are complete
• Make sure to click Update or Save after making changes
• In Grid Edit, make sure to click Save before exiting edit mode
• Reload the page and try again

I can’t create a new method

Problem: When trying to create a new method, a validation error appears.

Solution:

• Verify that all required fields are complete
• Make sure the shipping method code is unique
• Verify that the selected carrier exists in the system

Next Steps

• 3PL Billing Overview - Understand the complete 3PL Billing system
• Shipping Discounts - Configure additional discounts and surcharges per carrier
• OMS Client Prices - See how shipping methods affect per-client price configuration
• Premium Services - Configure premium services related to shipping