UPS Real Time Shipping/Max Weight 70 lbs Packages/Online Store

[sfeq]

So I connected the UPS and I have the real time tracking.  It created a "Default box" with 70lbs max weight. UPS supports packages up to 150 lbs and you must mark anything that is over 70 lbs with a heavy label.  So, I created another Shipping box and set the max weight to 90 pounds.  I also set my item that weights 90lbs to use that box.  When I add it to the cart it does not do the calculation and sets the cart items for free shipping.  So it is not picking up the box for the 90lb weight. I played around with different boxes and any box that I set to over 70 pounds it does not pick up.  So, how do I fix this?

I can split that item into two different boxes but the program does not let me as it only lets me select one box.  I can split it into two 45 pound packages for shipping but when I edit the  item I can only select one box.

I am also selling multiple items in packages which weigh more than 200 lbs and I can package them into individual boxes that are less than the max 70lbs but how do I do this so I can get the Real Time Shipping fees to show up?

Thanks for you help,

Ruben

[Valentina]

Hi and welcome to the Community, @sfeq 🙌

I ran this by one of our eCommerce specialists - they recommend setting up some manual rates for shipping weights greater than 70 lbs, then limiting the Real Time Shipping box weight to 70 lbs. You can change the default box setting for Real Time Shipping by heading to your Square Online Dashboard, and following the directions laid out here. If questions come up, let me know here!

[sfeq]

So, I figured something that gives me Real Time Shipping for heavy items up to around 140lbs.  I updated the Default Box to a high weight and set it to 1 max item. 

Most of the heavy items I'm able to split into multiple shipping boxes but RTS fails.  This is not the issue with the RTS but more of what's under the hood that the developers just decided to use one box per item where boxes can have multiple items.  A more realistic approach is we can opt for what it does right now or specify a specific item how it will be boxed and the weight for each box so the RTS can work properly.  This is not difficult to implement and is coming from a developer that has written software for over 25 years. 

Anyways, I just want to get estimated shipping and then most likely will use Shippo for the shipping because it doesn't even seem that the default label creation on Square Online supports splitting an order into multiple boxes with different weights.

I know I can set up manual rates but we are paying for RTS and a more robust solution is not that difficult to implement. Using manual rates is just an estimate because depending where it goes the rates are different.  A shipment traveling 50 miles versus 500 miles does not have the same rates and using manual rates we would have to over bill some and under bill others for it to average out.

I ended up settings a default rate for heavy items as a default for now but the person I'm working with wants to be able to have RTS for the rest of the items.  At this time it doesn't seem to be possible.

[BernadetteA]

Hi @sfeq Yes, you will receive a real time quote based on the max weight for the specific carrier as long as the assigned box has the correct weight assigned. I believe USPS is up to 70 lbs and UPS up to 150 lbs. I can double check the max restrictions for FedEx and DHL as well. Can you give us a little more understanding about your products that can ship in multiple boxes? I took a look at your items and I'm assuming you are referring to the larger pieces of equipment? Can you post a link to one of the items you are referring to and give us an example of how you would ship the item? Number of boxes, as well as dimensions and weight of each box? Thanks in advance! 

[sfeq]

We are shipping weight equipment such as bumper plates, dumbbells and so forth.  We have created packages to sell them at a discount and wanted shipping rates available for those.

What I finally ended up doing is playing around with the shipping of individual items as an order that matched the packages to get shipping rates to various locations to better estimate shipping.  After doing this, I started doing rates by weight range for heavy items such as what you advised.  The person I'm working with is new to shipping and thought it would be fairly simple.  In the end I had to break up items that were going to be sold in pairs to be individual items to better get shipping rates for those.

So, I think we have a solution that works and only after going live in a couple weeks will we know.  I appreciate the help I'm getting as we try to find a reasonable solution to this problem.  I do think that the shipping of a particular item should allow the use of more than one box of various dimensions and weights to get RTS rates. That would be the ultimate flexibility in shipping.

Thanks!!!

[BernadetteA]

I'm hoping for more flexibility and setting options for shipping as well! I know the teams are working on update, but I don't have a time frame for when the next major release will be. As far as your store goes, you will be able to create multiple shipping labels (and even change the box sizes when creating the label) as long as the cart has multiple items. To do this you would need to change the quantity option on the label page itself. I think the issue you are running into (or would run into) involves someone ordering a single large equipment item? The cart would indicate one item, but in reality you would be breaking it down and shipping in multiple boxes? 

[sfeq]

Exactly. Right now one item is equal to one box but in reality one item sold can be split into multiple boxes with different weights depending on the item.  The current system is designed in such a way that one item being bought is equal to one physical item that can't be broken up into components for shipment.

[sfeq]

Here's a link to items that we are selling as packages for reference:

• https://www.solofitnessequipment.com/product/olympic-package-100-kg-220-lb-of-bumper-plates-in-stock...
• https://www.solofitnessequipment.com/product/bumper-plate-package-100-kg-220-lb-of-bumper-plates-in-...

As far as boxes, the person that I'm working with doesn't know the exact dimensions as the shipment hasn't arrived so I estimated them but you can arrange them in different size boxes for shipment in order to be 70 or under if you wish or 150 or under using the UPS rules.

Hope this makes more sense.

[BernadetteA]

Yes, it does make sense. All of the products will be shipped by you, correct? Or are you using a drop shipping service? 

[sfeq]

Yes, we will be doing the shipping.

[BernadetteA]

Since UPS charges rates based on the billable weight (whichever is greater of the actual weight or dimensional weight) it might end up being the same price or close to the same price. i.e. one large package at x weight, compared to multiple smaller size packages. I recommend using the UPS Rate Calculator to run a few tests to compare the rate for different package sizes. If this works out for you you can use the Real Time Shipping feature to charge the estimated rate to your customers, and then create the labels for multiple packages directly through UPS. 

I'll see if I can get some more information on the new shipping integrations the team is working on. I'm hoping one of the options will allow you to keep everything in house rather than having to use multiple platforms to complete a single order. 

[sfeq]

Is it possible to write a custom app that can support an item being used with multiple shipping boxes and get RTS with the Square SDK. Kinda like the apps in the Square Marketplace?