Connect with ShipStation for live shipping estimates

ShipStation is a multi-channel, multi-carrier order fulfillment platform that helps streamline and automate your shipping process. By integrating ShipStation with your DecoNetwork store, you can display real-time shipping estimates at checkout using the carriers and services configured in your ShipStation account.

This tutorial will guide you through the straightforward process of setting up this invaluable connection between DecoNetwork and ShipStation.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why connect ShipStation
• Step 1: Open Shipping settings
• Step 2: Manage live shipping carriers
• Step 3: Add ShipStation as a live carrier
• Step 4: Connect ShipStation and enter credentials
• Step 5: Test and save the connection
• Step 6: Choose ShipStation shipping methods
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional resources

Prerequisites

To add ShipStation as a live shipping carrier

Why connect ShipStation

• Show accurate checkout rates: Your website can automatically display live rates during checkout, helping ensure customers see up-to-date shipping costs. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Offer services you actually ship with: Use the carriers and services configured in ShipStation, then select exactly which services customers can choose. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Rates based on real package details: ShipStation requests real-time rates based on package weight and size dimensions (carrier limits apply). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Step 1: Open Shipping settings

1. Log into your DecoNetwork Website.

2. Browse to Admin > Settings > Shipping.

   Select Shipping Methods.

   

   

   A list of your shipping methods will appear in a list on the Shipping Methods page.

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

   

Step 2: Manage live shipping carriers

1. Click the Manage Live Shipping Carriers button.

   The Live Shipping Carriers page is displayed with a list of your currently added live shipping carriers.

   

2. Click on the button.

   The Add Live Shipping Carrier page is displayed showing the available live shipping carriers for your region.

   

Step 3: Add ShipStation as a live carrier

1. Click on the ShipStation tile.

2. Click the Connect ShipStation button in the Details popup.

   

   The Edit Live Shipping Carrier Credentials page is displayed.

   

Step 4: Connect ShipStation and enter credentials

1. Enter your credentials for your ShipStation account.

   

   You need to first sign up for an account with ShipStation and request integration credentials before attempting to connect.

   See the ShipStation API help article for instructions on how to access your API key and secret.

Step 5: Test and save the connection

1. Click on Test settings to test the connection.

   A popup will be displayed to notify you if the connection was successful or not.

   
2. Click OK.

3. Click Save.

   You will be returned to the Live Shipping Carriers page is displayed with ShipStation added to the list of your currently added live shipping carriers.

   

   The Choose Methods button will only be enabled if you have successfully tested the connection with your credentials.

Step 6: Choose ShipStation shipping methods

1. Click on the Choose Methods button for ShipStation.

   The Edit Live Shipping Carrier Methods page is displayed.

   

2. Tick the checkbox for each of the ShipStation shipping methods that you want to enable.

   

3. Click Save.

   The selected shipping methods will be added to the Shipping Methods page. Shipping methods added via the ShipStation carrier connection will be indicated with the type "ShipStation".

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

   

   When a rate request is initiated, ShipStation's API communicates with the carriers to fetch real-time rates based on package weight and size dimensions. Package size dimension restrictions differ per carrier. These restrictions are taken into account when calculating the rates. Check the carrier documentation to find the weight and size restrictions of the carrier you are using.

Best-practice tips

• Configure carriers first in ShipStation: Add and configure your preferred carriers/services in ShipStation before enabling them in DecoNetwork.
• Validate packaging details: Live rates are calculated using package weight and size dimensions. Confirm your weights/dimensions are realistic for your products and packaging.
• Check carrier restrictions: Weight and size limits differ per carrier, and those restrictions are considered in rate calculations.

Troubleshooting

The “Choose Methods” button is disabled

• Click Test settings again and confirm the connection is successful.
• Re-enter your ShipStation API key and API secret, then test again.
• Confirm your ShipStation plan includes API access (Scale/Gold or higher).

No live rates appear at checkout

• Confirm ShipStation is added as a live shipping carrier and you have enabled at least one shipping method.
• Verify your carriers/services are configured correctly in ShipStation.
• Review package weights/dimensions and confirm they fall within the carrier’s allowed limits.

FAQs

What does the ShipStation integration do?

It enables your DecoNetwork website to display real-time shipping estimates at checkout based on the carriers linked to your ShipStation account.

What access do I need in DecoNetwork?

You must have the Administrator or Settings Manager role.

Does ShipStation require a specific plan?

ShipStation requires users to be on the Scale (Gold) plan or higher to access their API for live rate calculations and other API-powered features.

How are shipping rates calculated?

When a rate request is initiated, ShipStation’s API communicates with carriers to fetch real-time rates based on package weight and size dimensions. Carrier-specific size/weight restrictions are taken into account.

Additional resources

• Connect and Sync Orders Between DecoNetwork and ShipStation
• How to Connect Shipstation for Live Rates and Seamless Shipping
• How to Configure Shipping Methods & Connect Shipstation in DecoNetwork