Rates & Rate Shopping
Comparing rates, package presets, carrier discounts, and cost optimization.
Comparing Rates Across Carriers
Rate shopping lets you compare prices across all your connected carriers before selecting one for a shipment. How rate shopping works When you are ready to ship an order, CommerceShip queries all connected carriers for their current rates based on the package dimensions, weight, origin, and destination. Results are displayed side by side so you can choose based on cost, speed, or carrier preference. What affects rates Package weight and dimensions: Carriers charge by actual weight or dimensional (DIM) weight, whichever is greater. Origin and destination zones: Rates increase with distance. Service level: Express services cost more than ground. Carrier discounts: Your negotiated rates and CommerceShip partner discounts are applied automatically. Shipment comparison For a specific shipment, use the comparison view to see a detailed side-by-side breakdown of rates, estimated transit times, and surcharges across carriers.
Package Presets
Package presets save frequently used package dimensions and weights so you can apply them with one click instead of entering them manually each time. When to use presets If you regularly ship in the same box sizes (for example, a small flat rate box, a medium carton, or a branded mailer), create a preset for each. This speeds up order processing and reduces errors from manual dimension entry. What a preset includes - Package name (for easy identification) - Length, width, and height - Default weight (optional) When creating a shipment, select a preset instead of typing dimensions manually. You can always override the preset values for individual shipments.
Understanding Carrier Discounts
CommerceShip offers multiple ways to reduce your shipping costs through carrier discounts. CommerceShip partner discounts USPS discounts are available automatically when you ship through CommerceShip. These are applied to your rates without any additional setup. Your own negotiated rates If you have negotiated rates directly with FedEx, UPS, or other carriers, connect your own carrier account to CommerceShip. Your contracted rates will be used for rate shopping and label generation. Carrier contract import CommerceShip can import and interpret your carrier contracts, including service tiers, discount structures, and rate schedules. This lets you model scenarios like comparing your current contract against published rates or evaluating a new carrier proposal. Rate scheduling When carrier rates change (for example, during a General Rate Increase), you can schedule new rates to activate on a specific date. This lets you prepare in advance and see the cost impact before the change takes effect.