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Handling Carrier Downtime

Ensure uninterrupted shipping options during carrier API downtimes

Overview

ShipperHQ works directly with our integrated carriers to ensure they meet both uptime and response time requirements. 😊 However, there are times when a carrier API may be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance or unexpected outages. Since it's critical to have shipping options available at checkout, ShipperHQ offers several ways to handle carrier downtime.

This document focuses on situations where ShipperHQ cannot communicate with a live rate carrier's API. For information on resolving issues when your eCommerce platform cannot communicate with ShipperHQ, please refer to our eCommerce Platform docs.

Table of Contents

Backup Carrier Rates Advanced Feature

ShipperHQ's Backup Carrier Rates Advanced Feature allows you to configure a backup carrier to use if a primary carrier experiences downtime. Your backup could be a different live rate carrier or a custom carrier. When ShipperHQ cannot connect to your primary carrier's API, it will automatically attempt to use your backup carrier.

Automatic Backup Rates

For certain commonly used FedEx domestic services, ShipperHQ offers built-in backup rates if the carrier's API is unavailable and you haven't configured a Backup Carrier. 💡 These rates may not reflect your negotiated rates, but all handling fees and shipping rules will apply the same way they do for live rates.

Carrier Downtime Notifications

While many carriers don't send notifications for unscheduled downtime, most will notify you of planned maintenance by email. We recommend signing up for such notifications to stay informed. For major carrier downtime, ShipperHQ will send email updates to your account email. Ensure this is up-to-date by checking your Profile on your ShipperHQ Dashboard. To update your email, submit this form. Whitelist shipperhq.com with your email provider to ensure you receive our messages. ✅

Carrier Status Monitoring

Most carriers don't offer a status page for their APIs, but for FedEx, UPS, USPS, and Canada Post, LexiConn Internet Services provides a free Shipping API Monitor service. This offers current status and downtime notifications for these carriers. While it may not identify all types of outages, you can sign up for email notifications for those it can detect. 💡