Carrier Connections FAQ
Table of Contents
Overview
CartonCloud's self-managed carrier connections allow you to link your own carrier accounts directly within the platform. Below you'll find answers to common questions about setup, pricing, and how the service works.
General
Q: What are self-managed carrier connections?
A: Self-managed carrier connections let you connect your own carrier accounts (e.g. Australia Post, TNT, USPS, UPS) to CartonCloud through our integration partners, EasyPost and Shippit. Once connected, you can generate labels and manage shipments directly from CartonCloud using your existing carrier agreements and rates.
Q: What's the benefit of connecting carriers through CartonCloud?
A: By connecting your carriers through CartonCloud, you get direct access to EasyPost and Shippit's carrier integration platforms without needing a separate subscription. CartonCloud covers the platform access as part of the self-managed integration fee, so you can generate labels, access rate shopping, and manage shipments from a single workflow. For customers already using Shippit or EasyPost independently, your existing account can be migrated to run through the CartonCloud partnership. Contact us and we'll arrange the switchover.
Q: Do I need to create an account with EasyPost or Shippit?
A: Yes, but the process is handled through CartonCloud and is straightforward.
- EasyPost: Your EasyPost account can be created on-demand directly from within CartonCloud when you enable the integration.
- Shippit: An account is created after you submit a short form, which CartonCloud provides as part of the setup process.
In both cases, you will need to interact with the platform to configure your carriers.
If you choose to use Wallet Rates (where shipping is paid for through EasyPost or Shippit), you will also need to enter your payment details directly with those platforms so they can charge you for shipping labels.
Some additional capabilities shown in the EasyPost or Shippit platforms (such as branded tracking pages, experience tools, or advanced analytics) are optional add-ons offered by those providers and can be purchased directly from them if required.
Q: What carriers are supported?
A: Supported carriers depend on the integration platform (EasyPost or Shippit) and your region. Common carriers include Australia Post, StarTrack, TNT, Aramex, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and many more. For a full list of available carriers, see the Shippit list here and EasyPost here.
Q: What is the difference between EasyPost and Shippit?
A: EasyPost is available to all CartonCloud customers and provides access to a wide range of carriers across North America and globally. Shippit is available exclusively to customers in the APAC region and offers deeper coverage of Australian and New Zealand carriers. If you’re in APAC, you’ll have access to both platforms and can connect carriers through either.
Q: What are walleted rates?
A: Walleted rates are pre-negotiated rates with carriers provided by EasyPost and Shippit directly. Due to their purchasing power, these rates are often significantly lower than typical retail rates. Both EasyPost and Shippit offer these as part of their platforms and will be available for all CartonCloud customers to benefit.
Q: Do I get access to the Shippit and/or EasyPost platform?
A: Yes. With EasyPost, simply click the link from within CartonCloud and you’ll be immediately logged into EasyPost to manage your carriers and other EasyPost settings.
With Shippit, you’ll be provided with a username and password to login to Shippit directly. You'll have access to the full suite of Shippit platform capabilities (Note, paid add-ons within Shippit can be purchased directly from Shippit)
Q: I already have a Shippit or EasyPost account. How do I switch to a CartonCloud provided account?
A: For EasyPost, simply create a new EasyPost account from the Self-Managed Integrations page within CartonCloud and reconnect your carriers. At this stage there is no way to migrate from your existing account to a CartonCloud-managed account.
Shippit: As a CartonCloud customer, your account can be switched to one provided through the CartonCloud/Shippit partnership. Let us know the account details, we can then get it moved over.
Pricing and Billing
Q: How is the self-managed integration fee charged?
A: The self-managed integration fee is charged per EasyPost / Shippit connection. You can connect EasyPost and/or Shippit at both the Organisation Level, or at the Customer Level. If you connect at the organisation level then the rates and carrier connections can be used by all of your customers. If connected at the customer level, rates and carriers are only available to that customer. From the Pack Screen, and via the carrier selection rules engine, you can view and compare rates being provided by both the organisation and customer level connections.
Example:
|
Account |
Platform & Carriers |
Connections Charged |
|
Your 3PL Company |
Shippit - Auspost, Dragonfly, Aramex |
1 |
|
Customer A |
Shippit - DragonFly, Auspost (customer-specific account) |
1 |
|
Customer B |
EasyPost - UPS, DHL, Auspost |
1 |
|
Total billable connections |
3 |
|
Q: Does it matter how many carriers I have?
A: No. The Integration Fee is charged per EasyPost / Shippit account, not the number of carriers connected to those accounts.
Within Easypost, each account is independent, so if you create one for the organisation, and then 2 more for individual customers, you’ll have 3 separate EasyPost accounts (each will require Credit Card details to be added).
Within Shippit, there is a single “master” account which can contain multiple “merchant accounts”. Using the same example as above, you would have one merchant account for your organisation, and then 2x customer-specific merchant accounts. Also, Shippit accounts are created per-warehouse. So if you are shipping from multiple warehouses you will require multiple Shippit accounts.
Q: Is there a setup fee?
A: No. There is no one-off setup fee for carrier connections. The only cost is the recurring self-managed integration fee per EasyPost / Shippit connection.
Q: When would I need to enter payment details into EasyPost or Shippit?
A: Only if you want to use the wallet or rate-shopping features offered natively by EasyPost or Shippit. In that case, you would enter your credit card details directly on their platform to fund your wallet or access their negotiated carrier rates. This is entirely optional and separate from the CartonCloud self-managed integration fee.
Q: What happens if I disconnect EasyPost and/or Shippit?
A: If you disconnect, the self-managed integration charge for that connection will cease from the next billing cycle. You will no longer be able to generate labels through CartonCloud for that carrier until the account is reconnected.
Visibility and Permissions
Q: Will my warehouse staff see the carrier rates?
A: Yes. Packers will be able to see the carrier rates when processing orders.
Q: Will my customers see the carrier rates?
A: Not directly. Carrier rates will be added to Consignments as an expense which are not visible to your customers. Using our warehouse fulfilment rating engine you can choose to on-charge this freight via CartonCloud, or add a margin, and those charges will then be visible to your customers (they’ll appear as income in your view).
Privacy and Access
Q: Can other CartonCloud Customers see my carrier rates?
A: No. Each carrier account connection is completely isolated. Your negotiated rates, account details, and shipment data are not visible to any other organisation or customer on the platform.
Support
Q: Who do I contact if I have issues with a carrier connection?
A: Reach out to the CartonCloud support team for any issues related to connecting, configuring, or troubleshooting your carrier accounts. If the issue relates specifically to your carrier agreement or account credentials, please contact your carrier directly.
Q: Can CartonCloud help me negotiate carrier rates?
A: CartonCloud does not negotiate carrier rates on your behalf. Your carrier connections use your existing commercial agreements. If you are looking for competitive rates, the wallet rates available through EasyPost and Shippit may be worth exploring.