Connect Your UPS Account

 

In 2024, UPS discontinued XML account credentials and introduced an OAuth credential system.

If you have an existing UPS account with an XML access key, you can still create a parcel service shipping method in Intuitive Shipping with your legacy account credentials, which include:

• User ID
• API password
• Account number
• XML access key

Your legacy credentials can be added by following the steps to Connect UPS Account Using Legacy Account Credentials, however we stronly recommend migrating to the new OAuth system, as we plan to end support for legacy accounts in the near future.

When adding your legacy account credentials to Intuitive Shipping, you must select the ‘UPS Legacy’ account type.

 

If you do not have a legacy UPS account or existing XML access key, you must create your account credentials using the OAuth method, which include:

• Client ID
• Client Secret
• Account number

Your OAuth credentials can be added by following the steps to Connect UPS Account Using OAuth Account Credentials.

When adding your OAuth credentials to Intuitive Shipping, you must select the ‘UPS OAuth’ service type.

If you require assistance adding your UPS OAuth account settings to Intuitive Shipping or configuring your UPS OAuth shipping method, please contact us.

 

 

Connect UPS Account Using OAuth Account Credentials

This guide shows you how to link your newer UPS OAuth account credentials to Intuitive Shipping. If you’re still using legacy XML account credentials, refer to the guide Connect UPS Account Using Legacy Account Credentials.

 

If you have an account with UPS, you can connect it to Intuitive Shipping using OAuth account credentials. Once connected, UPS will be available when creating a parcel service shipping method, and these credentials are required to use UPS as a carrier service with Intuitive Shipping.

If you don’t connect your UPS OAuth credentials here, you can still add them directly when setting up a shipping method.

After your credentials are saved in Intuitive Shipping, they’ll be used automatically each time you add the same carrier account to a new shipping method.

 

Add UPS OAuth To Carrier Accounts List

UPS OAuth account credentials are required to complete this setup. If you don't have UPS OAuth credentials, including a Client ID and Client Secret, learn how to get them here.

1. Click Settings on the sidebar menu, then select Carrier accounts from the drop-down list.

 

2. Click Add carrier account.

 

3. Click the drop-down arrow next to Parcel services.

 

4. Select UPS OAuth from the list.

 

5. Click the Configure account button.

 

Carrier Account Settings

1. Enter a Carrier account title, such as ‘UPS’ or ‘UPS OAuth’.

 

UPS OAuth Account

1. Enter your Client ID.

 

2. Enter your Client Secret. Client secrets are hidden and are not displayed within Intuitive Shipping. If you delete or lose your Client Secret, you may need to generate a new one the UPS developer portal and paste it into the ‘Client Secret’ field.

 

3. Enter your Account number.

 

4. Click the Save button to save your UPS OAuth account.

 

 

Connect UPS Account Using Legacy Account Credentials

This guide shows you how to link your legacy UPS account credentials to Intuitive Shipping. If you have newer OAuth account credentials, refer to the guide Connect UPS Account Using OAuth Account Credentials.

If you have an account with UPS, you can connect it to Intuitive Shipping using Legacy account credentials. Once connected, UPS will be available when creating a parcel service shipping method.

You don’t need UPS Legacy credentials to use UPS rates. When creating a parcel service shipping method, choosing the ‘UPS Legacy’ service type lets you access standard UPS rates without an account.

If you don’t connect your UPS Legacy credentials here, you can still add them directly when setting up a shipping method.

After your credentials are saved in Intuitive Shipping, they’ll be used automatically each time you add the same carrier account to a new shipping method.

 

Add UPS Legacy To Carrier Accounts List

UPS Legacy account credentials are required to complete this setup. If you don't have legacy credentials, UPS no longer provides these. You will need to create new UPS OAuth Credentials and connect your account using this method.

1. Click Settings on the sidebar menu, then select Carrier accounts from the drop-down list.

 

2. Click Add carrier account.

 

3. Click the drop-down arrow next to Parcel services.

 

4. Select UPS Legacy from the list.

 

5. Click the Configure account button.

 

Carrier Account Settings

1. Enter a Carrier account title, such as ‘UPS’ or ‘UPS Legacy’.

 

UPS Legacy Account

1. Enter your User ID.

 

2. Enter your account Password.

 

3. Enter your Account number.

 

4. Enter your XML access key.

 

5. Click the Save button to save your UPS Legacy XML account.

 

 

 

Migrating from XML Access Key to OAuth 2.0 Account

UPS has transitioned to a new carrier account API connection method. As of June 3, 2024, UPS no longer issues legacy account credentials with an XML access key. While you can still connect Intuitive Shipping using existing legacy credentials, you must have obtained them before UPS ended support.

We strongly recommend migrating to the new OAuth 2.0 credential system, since Intuitive Shipping is also ending support for legacy account credentials. This ensures your UPS shipping methods remain active and prevents disruptions to rate calculations at checkout.

If you don’t already have a UPS account, new accounts can only be set up with OAuth 2.0 credentials.

If you currently use a legacy UPS account with XML access key credentials, you’ll need to migrate your parcel service shipping methods to the OAuth 2.0 account type. An urgent warning card will appear on the Get started page in Intuitive Shipping if migration is required. If you don't see the card, migration is not required.

 

Test Your OAuth 2.0 Credentials

If you created your UPS OAuth 2.0 account and already connected it to Intuitive Shipping, we strongly recommend testing your credentials before completing the migration process.

Migration cannot be undone.

If there are any validation issues with your OAuth 2.0 credentials, you may encounter errors with your UPS rates after migration.

 

To test your OAuth 2.0 credentials:

1. Complete the steps to connect your OAuth account.

 

2. Create a test Scenario with no conditions.

 

3. In the Scenario, create a parcel service shipping method selecting UPS OAuth (not Legacy) as the carrier.

 

4. In the Carrier accounts section of the shipping method, add or select your OAuth account.

 

5. After saving your test shipping method, go to your storefront.

 

6. Run a few test checkouts to confirm your credentials and verify that UPS rates are being calculated correctly.

 

7. Return here after testing.

 

Migrate Your UPS Account

If you have a new UPS OAuth 2.0 account type, but it's not currently connected to Intuitive Shipping, you'll need to connect it before you can migrate your shipping methods. 

1. Complete the steps to connect your OAuth account. We strongly recommend testing your new account before continuing to the next step.

 

2. Return to the Get started page.

 

3. Click the Migrate to OAuth button on the warning card.

 

4. Review the migration information, then click the Migrate carrier button

A temporary notification confirming migration will appear at the bottom of the screen. 

 

5. Return to the Get started page.

The urgent warning card no longer appears on the page.

 

6. Disable or delete your test Scenario, then run some additional test checkouts using your recently migrated shipping method(s).

 

Create A UPS Account

If you don’t have a UPS account, you can easily create one following the steps below. Please contact UPS directly if you have technical issues while creating your account.

1. In a new browser tab, go to the UPS website. 

 

2. Click Log In on the main menu bar.

 

3. Click Sign up below the login area.

 

4. Complete the sign up form, then check the box to agree with the UPS Technology Agreement.

 

5. After reading the agreement, click the Sign up button. A verification email will be sent to your inbox.

 

6. After entering your verification code, select 'Business' when prompted, then click the Continue button.

 

7. After completing the account application, navigate to the UPS Developer Portal.

 

Create OAuth Account Credentials

UPS no longer provides account credentials with an XML access key. To generate new OAuth account credentials:

1. Click My apps on the main menu bar.

 

2. Click Add apps at the bottom of the page.

 

3. Agree to the API Access Agreement, then click the Create account button.

 

4. Complete the new Account information.

 

5. Add an app connection for Intuitive Shipping, then make a note of your Client ID, Client Secret and Account number.

 

6. Open Intuitive Shipping in a new browser tab. Leave the tab with UPS site open and easily accessible. Do not close until you have copied the account credential values into Intuitive Shipping.

 

7. Connect your UPS OAuth account to Intuitive Shipping.

 

Restrictions

Each carrier has restrictions that may limit your shipping capabilities or prevent you from making certain shipments. Here are some restrictions to be aware of when using UPS.

• Originating address - Not all UPS services are available in every country. To see which domestic services are available in your country, visit your regional UPS website or go here to select your country.
• Restrictions by country - Each country you ship to may have its own trade and import restrictions. Not all UPS delivery services are available to all countries. Learn more about restrictions for specific countries here.
• Prohibited items - Certain goods, including items considered to be illegal or dangerous, may not be shipped by UPS under any circumstances. Learn more about restricted items here.

• Controlled items – items such as tobacco and vaping products, plants and animals, and dangerous goods may be shipped if they meet certain criteria. Other items such as pharmaceuticals may be shipped by UPS under strict regulations in some areas and prohibited in others. Learn more about restricted items here.

• Packaging restrictions - Some products can only be shipped if they comply with certain packaging standards. Learn more about UPS packaging requirements or obtain guidance for packaging your items here.

• International restrictions - Customs and international laws may limit what you ship, how you ship it, and how it can be returned to you. You may also require additional information, such as Harmonization codes, documentation and fees to complete your shipment. Learn more about shipping internationally with UPS here.

• Size & weight restrictions - All packages shipped by UPS must not exceed a length (longest side) of 108 inches (9 feet/ 274 cm) or a length + plus girth of 165 inches (13.5 feet/ 419 cm), or a weight of 150 lbs (68 kg). Any package exceeding 75 lbs (34 kg) must have a 'Heavy package' sticker applied. Shipments outside of North America may be subject to dimension and weight restrictions of the origin or destination country. Certain delivery services may have size limitations. Packages exceeding 150 lbs may be suitable for UPS Freight Services.

For more information about UPS restrictions, please visit UPS or contact your local UPS representative.

 

 

Troubleshooting

In certain situations, rates from UPS may not appear at checkout, or they might not be displayed as expected. You may be able to determine why rates aren’t being displayed correctly by reviewing the rate calculation Activity.

1. Click Activity on the main menu.

 

2. Select ‘Unsuccessful requests only‘ from the Filter by request status drop-down list. This will list only Activities where rates were not returned.

 

3. Click View beside any ‘unsuccessful’ Activity.

 

4. In the Details section, click View log beside Warnings and errors, if available.

 

5. Review the warnings for UPS delivery services.

Here are some of the most common reasons why UPS rates may not be appearing at checkout:

Sandbox Mode

While you're in Sandbox mode, rates will only appear at checkout when you use ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page, even when the Scenario status is set to ‘On’. To make your rates visible to customers, you will need to select a billing plan to activate your free trial.

To test rates in Sandbox mode

• For Shopify - enter ‘Intuitive’ as either the customer’s first or last name at checkout
• For BigCommerce or Shopify B2B - enter ‘Intuitive’ in the optional address field for ‘Apartment/ Suite/ Building’ at checkout.

 

Scenario Status

If rates are not appearing with an active billing plan, it may be because the Scenario Status is set to Off (not visible to anyone) or Test (only visible when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page).

 

Shipping Method Status

If rates are not appearing with an active billing plan, it may be because the shipping method Status is set to Off (not visible to anyone) or Test (only visible when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page).

 

Carrier-calculated Rates

Shopify’s third-party carrier-calculated shipping rates feature must be enabled on your Shopify account in order to use any third-party shipping rate calculator app, including Intuitive Shipping.

 

Account Credentials

Double-check that you have entered the correct Client ID, Client Secret, and account number, and that there are no spaces or extra or missing characters.

 

Packages

Rates may not appear if no suitable package sizes are available in a UPS shipping method. If the correct package size is missing or set to Inactive, the next largest package will be used. If that package exceeds UPS’s size limits, no rate will be returned.

If no suitable package is found, Intuitive Shipping will attempt to create a custom package using the product dimensions. If that custom package also exceeds UPS’s limits, no rate will be returned.

To prevent this, make sure the packages in your UPS shipping method are properly set up to fit your products and that they meet UPS’s size requirements.

 

Delivery Services

Some carrier delivery services may be unavailable due to restrictions such as shipment size, weight, or the customer’s address. If some UPS rates appear but others do not, or if another carrier like FedEx returns rates while UPS does not, the issue is likely related to service limitations.

Check that the selected services are compatible with the shipping address. For example, domestic-only services will not return rates for international addresses.

If some rates were returned and others were not, review the Notifications for any messages related to UPS.

 

Product Dimensions & SmartBoxing

If you’re using SmartBoxing, volume-based shipping, products must have dimensions set in Intuitive Shipping (Shopify only). Dimensions are required for SmartBoxing and volume-based packing to pack the order. If any product is missing dimensions, the packing process will fail, no package info will be sent to the carrier, and no rates will be returned. If you're using dimension-based conditions, missing dimensions will cause the Scenario conditions to fail.

 

Syncing

While you’re in Sandbox mode, any product changes must be manually synced with Intuitive Shipping. Once you activate a billing plan, syncing happens automatically. However, if many changes are made in a short period of time, such as adding or editing multiple products, auto-syncing may not finish completely. If required product details are missing, the calculation will fail and package information cannot be sent to the carrier.

If you’re using the SmartBoxing packing algorithm, be sure all new products have dimensions added in Intuitive Shipping.

 

Cost Adjustments

If rates are showing but appear too high or too low, a cost adjustment may have been applied. Check the 'Cost adjustments' section (in Optional Settings) of your UPS shipping method.

 

Contact Us

If rates aren't displaying as expected and you are unable to resolve the issue, please contact us. We’re here to help!

 

 

Learn more:

• Common setups
• Additional setups
• How-to guides
• Connect a carrier
• General info
• FAQ