Applying Customized UPS Rate Tables

Owned by Hunter Schaeffer
Last updated: Sept 24, 2020
3 min read

Overview

This document will detail the steps required to access and edit the UPS rate tables used for real-time shipment calculations.

Requirements

  1. Must be using the new UI
  2. Method must be a standard (built-in) UPS method (Domestic shipping methods only. See FAQ below for more details.)
  3. User must have rate schedule currently configured as "Daily" in the UPS tab of the shipping configuration.
  4. Contact your UPS Representative and request that they email you your UPS Rate sheet in Excel format. Do not edit the spreadsheet prior to import.

Pro-Tip

Make sure that you are only inputting the base table rates. UltraCart will still add the fuel surcharge, residential fees, etc.

Step 1- Enabling Access To The Rate Tables for UPS Methods

Navigation

Home → Configuration (Checkout) v Shipping → (middle menu) UPS

Select "Daily" from the first drop down menu for "Rate Schedule" then click the save button:

Step 2 - Edit UPS Method

Navigation

Home → Configuration (Checkout) → Shipping → (middle menu) Methods

Click the edit button adjacent to the (built-in) UPS Shipping Method Rate Table you wish to review or edit.

On the first tab of the shipping method editor (the cost calculation tab), you'll see the blue "Customize Rate Table" button:

Click the Customize Rate Table button to access the rate table data:

To upload your UPS rate tables excel spreadsheet use the upload option above the displayed rates:

To manually adjust the rate table edit the displayed zone rates:

If you make any changes to the rate tables, make sure to click the save button at the bottom of the page to record your changes!


Frequently Asked Questions

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.