Document upload: Transmit documents electronically to transport service providers via Carrier Connect

So that you no longer have to print out shipping documents and laboriously attach them to the package, you can transmit them electronically to your service provider via Carrier Connect.

• The basic procedure described in this article is the same for most service providers.

• Separate articles are available for UPS, FedEx, and DHL Express, as additional specifics must be observed here during document upload: UPS, FedEx, DHL Express.

Prerequisite: Enabling value-added service in master data initially

Select and open the relevant transport service provider in Carrier Connect via Master data – Carrier configurations and enable the value-added service in the Value-added services sheet.

• The name of the value-added service can be different, as it is named according to the transport service provider's specifications, e.g. "Digital documents".
  However, the value-added service is always assigned to the value-added service type "Document upload", so that there can be no confusion. The value-added service type is shown in the Value-added services sheet.

• Please refer to the system description to find out whether document upload is possible for the desired transport service provider and what the specific name of the value-added service is.

Overview: It’s that easy

Enable the value-added service in the shipping order and upload the desired documents to Carrier Connect first. Transmission to the transport service provider then takes place automatically in a further step.

Detailed process

Selecting value-added service in shipping order or transmitting via API

In Carrier Connect, enable the respective value-added service for the shipping order in question in the Value-added services sheet.

• You can find out how to transfer the value-added service from your host system via the API in the API documentation.

Selecting document(s) and uploading them to Carrier Connect

• On the Documents sheet of the shipping order, click Add attachment or Drag & Drop to select your document(s).
  • File size per file: max. 1 MB
  • Number of files: unlimited
  • Allowed file formats can be: PDF, TXT, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIF, RTF, DOC, XLS, DOCX, XLSX.
• In the comment field, add the document type - matching the document - in exactly defined notation, e.g. COMMERCIAL_INVOICE.
  Do not write the explanations in the brackets in the comment field! Possible document types can be:
  • CERTIFICATE_OF_ORIGIN (certificate of origin)
  • COMMERCIAL_INVOICE (invoice)
  • DELIVERY_NOTE (delivery note)
  • EXPORT_ACCOMPANYING_DOCUMENT (export accompanying document EAD)
  • NAFTA_CERTIFICATE_OF_ORIGIN (NAFTA certificate of origin)
  • OTHER (other document types)
  • PACKING_LIST (packing list)
  • PRO_FORMA_INVOICE (proforma invoice)
  • SHIPPERS_DECLARATION (shipper's declaration for dangerous goods)
  • WEIGHT_DECLARATION (weight certificate)

When to upload the documents in Carrier Connect

The time when you have to select and upload the documents to Carrier Connect differs – depending on whether you print all labels of a shipping order together ("Single package handling" not enabled) or per package ("Single package handling" enabled).

• Basic rule: The shipping order must not be completed (status "Assigned" or "Ready to assign pickup").

• You configure the so-called single package handling under Carrier configurations – Accounts – Single pkg. handling field group: Option is enabled or not.

Label printing without enabled single package handling

If you print all the labels of the shipping order together, then you must upload all the documents to Carrier Connect before label printing, because printing the labels also completes the shipping order.

• Cancellation of the shipping order is no longer possible if it is in the "Sent" status. However, you can correct the shipping order (Shipping order – Shipping order menu – Correct) and upload the documents again. If you have already completed the pickup and thus also sent the EDI, no more changes are possible. For detailed info on shipping order statuses and use cases, visit Modifying shipping orders in Carrier Connect.

Label printing with enabled single package handling

If you print labels individually package by package, upload the documents to Carrier Connect before completing the shipping order.