This article explains how to add a live shipping carrier in DecoNetwork so that your stores can retrieve real-time shipping rates directly from carriers (such as USPS or UPS) or via a multi-carrier service like ShipStation. Once connected, these carriers can be used to offer accurate, up-to-date shipping costs at checkout.
In this article
- Prerequisites
- Why add a live shipping carrier?
- Step 1: Open Shipping Methods
- Step 2: Open the Live Shipping Carriers page
- Step 3: Add a live shipping carrier
- Step 4: Enter carrier credentials and save
- Best-practice tips
- Troubleshooting
- FAQs
- Additional resources
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure:
- You have Administrator access to your DecoNetwork site.
- You have an existing account with the shipping provider you want to connect.
- You have requested and received any required integration credentials or API keys from the carrier.
You must sign up with the carrier and request integration credentials before attempting to connect DecoNetwork to the live shipping service.
Why add a live shipping carrier?
Adding a live shipping carrier helps you to:
- Provide accurate, real-time shipping costs: Rates are requested directly from the carrier based on destination, weight, and service level, so customers see up-to-date pricing.
- Reduce manual configuration: You don’t need to maintain complex rate tables or fixed-fee rules for every region and weight break.
- Offer multiple carrier options: Connect one or more live carriers (or a multi-carrier provider like ShipStation) and let customers choose their preferred service.
- Improve customer trust: Displaying familiar carrier names and services at checkout can increase confidence and reduce cart abandonment.
Step 1: Open Shipping Methods
- Log into your DecoNetwork Website.
- Browse to Admin → Settings → Shipping.
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Select Shipping Methods.
The Shipping Methods page is displayed in the work area.
Click the image to enlarge.
Step 2: Open the Live Shipping Carriers page
-
On the Shipping Methods page, click Manage Live Shipping Carriers in the top actions toolbar.
The Live Shipping Carriers page will be displayed showing a list of your currently added carriers.
Step 3: Add a live shipping carrier
-
On the Live Shipping Carriers page, click on the
button.
The Add Live Shipping Carrier page is displayed showing the live shipping carriers available for your region.
- Click on the tile of the shipping carrier you want to add.
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In the Details popup for the selected carrier, click the Connect [Carrier] button.
The Edit Live Shipping Carrier Credentials page is displayed.
Step 4: Enter carrier credentials and save
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Enter your credentials and account details for the shipping carrier connection (for example, account number, API key, or username/password).
You must first sign up for an account with the carrier and request integration credentials before attempting to connect DecoNetwork to the live shipping carrier.
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Configure any carrier specific settings.
See the articles in the Admin > Settings > Shipping > Shipping Methods section to see instructions for connecting with specific carriers.
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Click the Test settings button to test the connection.
A popup will be displayed to notify you whether the connection was successful or not. If there is an error, confirm the credentials and any API permissions are correct, then test again.
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When the connection test is successful, click Save.
The live shipping carrier is now added and ready to be used when you configure live shipping methods for that carrier.
Best-practice tips
- Configure live methods next: After connecting a carrier, set up the individual services you want to offer. See Add live shipping methods for a live shipping carrier .
- Check product weights: Live rates depend heavily on accurate product weights. Make sure common products have correct weight values configured.
- Use multi-carrier options where suitable: If you ship via many carriers, consider using a solution like ShipStation for centralized rate management.
- Test using a storefront quote: Place a test order from the storefront to confirm the correct live rates and services appear for typical destinations.
Troubleshooting
Live carrier connection fails
- Double-check the carrier credentials entered on the Edit Live Shipping Carrier Credentials page.
- Confirm your carrier account is active and that API access is enabled with the carrier.
- Try re-generating or resetting the API key (if supported by the carrier) and updating it in DecoNetwork.
Live rates do not appear at checkout
- Ensure you have configured at least one live shipping method for the connected carrier.
- Verify the test product has a weight configured and that the destination is within the carrier’s supported regions.
- Confirm there are no conflicting shipping rules or restrictions that would prevent the live method from being offered for the order.
FAQs
Do I need a separate account for each live carrier I add?
Yes. Each live shipping carrier requires its own carrier account and credentials. If you use multiple carriers, you will need to configure them individually or use a multi-carrier solution such as ShipStation.
Can I still use custom shipping methods with live carriers enabled?
Yes. You can combine custom shipping methods (flat-rate, table-based, etc.) with live shipping methods. At checkout, customers will see all applicable methods and can choose the option that best suits them.
Additional resources
Still have questions? Use the Search Tool at the top of the page to find more related guides. Need help? Click the icon to submit a support ticket—our Client Services team is ready to assist!
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