For merchants that ship via UPS, UPS WorldShip software is the core component of their shipping operation. This software does all of the work necessary to prepare a shipment for UPS (including packing slip printing and tracking number assignment). This chapter covers configuring UPS WorldShip software to accept an UltraCart import.
Preparing to Export from UltraCart
Importing a UPS WorldShip Export File
Related:
Applying Customized UPS Rate Tables
FAQ
Q: Why doesn't UltraCart talk directly to UPS like we do other carriers for real-time estimates?
Answer: UPS decided that they were going to use their technology as a wedge against the other carriers. The UPS Ready contract that we would have been required to sign strictly prohibited things like displaying rates from multiple carriers on the same screen as well as building software like UltraShip. This is unacceptable to us because it drastically limits the functionality that we can provide to our merchants.
Domestic Rates
UltraCart maintains an internal database of all the domestic rate tables, zone charts, additional service fees, as well as fuel surcharges. This allows UltraCart to accurately estimate domestic rates to the penny with the UPS website. Merchants still have to be very careful of the options that they select on the UPS website to make sure they are doing an apples to apples comparison.
International Rates
Since we're unable to have a database of all the international zone tables, rate charts, etc. from every origin point to destination point we have to use another carrier as a proxy. We basically estimate with another carrier and then apply % markups or discounts based upon how the averages work out. We definitely recommend that merchants do not ship UPS international based upon these rates as there can be no guarantees on how accurate they are.