Overview

Set up live rates at checkout for WooCommerce by installing the DHL Express Commerce plugin and display your DHL Express shipping rates to your customers automatically.

About live rates at checkout

The destination address and the total weight of the cart are used to electronically return your DHL Express shipping rate. 

Your customer can select the preferred shipping method and the order will be imported with this shipping method.

Rate Disclaimer:

DHL’s Shipment charges are calculated according to the higher of actual or volumetric weight per piece and any piece may be re-weighed and re-measured by DHL to confirm this calculation. This may result in a higher price than displayed at the time of checkout. 

• Prices quoted are estimates based on the information you have supplied.

• Prices quoted may not include duties, taxes, customs charges or all surcharges and fees.

• Transit time and price quotes are indicative and DHL has no liability or responsibility for differences between this indicative quote and the actual price or transit time.

• Your final transit time and price may differ based on the characteristics of the shipment, services requested and the packages actually tendered to DHL.

Plugin Disclaimer:

While every effort has been made to ensure the accompanying plugin is as compatible as possible, many factors such as site customizations or conflicts with other third party plugins may result in the DHL plugin to behave unexpectedly or not function.

DHL offers no warranty or guarantee's that plugins will operate for your specific site.

1. Set the Rates at Checkout Unit of Measure

To correctly calculate the shipping price, the unit of measure set in WooCommerce needs to be defined in DHL Express Commerce. 

1. Make note of the weight unit of measure set in WooCommerce - Kilogram / Gram / Pound
2. In DHL Express Commerce, navigate to Settings > Options > Rates at Checkout Weight Unit
3. Set the correct weight unit noted from step 1. 
4. Save. 

2. Set Checkout Rates calculation method

1. Go to Settings > Checkout Rates
2. Select an option on how rates are calculated
   
   1. Single Package using sum of integration item weights
      
      • Ignore any dimensions passed through from your ecommerce platform and total up the weight of all items in 1 package.
   2. Single Package using sum of integration item weights and integration item dimensions
      • Total up all item weights and dimensions from your ecommerce platform into 1 Package.
        
   3. Single Package using default package weight and default dimensions
      • Ignore weights and dimensions from ecommerce platforms and always use the 1 default package set up in Settings > Package Setup
        
   4. Unique Package for each item using integration item weights and integration item dimensions
      • Treat each item in the basket as a unique package, take the dimensions and weights of each item and apply to its own Package. For example 5 items in the basket will be treated as 5 individual packages rather than a single package.

3. Enable advanced checkout configuration

In order for volumetric calculation to be considered as well as the actual weight, the 'Enable Advanced Configuration' option should be activated. 

1. Go to Settings > Checkout Rates
2. Select the 'Courier Configuration' tab
3. Select 'Enable Advanced Configuration' and 'Contract Rates'
4. Select the DHL Express shipping products you wish to offer at your checkout
   1. Note: Only valid shipping products will be displayed in your checkout and will be checked against the receivers address.  

4. Install the DHL Express Commerce plugin

Before you begin, download the WooCommerce plugin found at the bottom of this article.

1. Go to your WooCommerce dashboard, select Plugins, then select Add New.
2. Click Upload Plugin as .zip file.
3. Click Choose file, and upload the extension file from your computer. Make sure you activate the plugin.
4. Click Install Now.

5. Generate your API key

1. Log in to DHL Express Commerce account, go to Settings, then select API.
2. If the API Key field is blank, click Regenerate, then click Save.
3. Copy the API key. You will need to enter this in WooCommerce.

6. Add your API key in WooCommerce

1. Go to your WooCommerce dashboard, select WooCommerce, then select Settings.
2. Select the Shipping tab, then select DHL Express Shipping Rates.
3. Paste the API key, and select Enable rates at checkout.
4. Click Save changes.

Your DHL Express rate should now display in your WooCommerce checkout.

Troubleshooting

Rates are showing higher than expected

In your DEC profile some configuration may be required to correctly identify the weights supplied by WooCommerce in their API. Please follow the below steps:

1. Go to Settings, then select Options.
2. Select Rates at Checkout Weight Unit.
3. Set this setting value to Grams (g).
4. Click Save.
5. Retest the rates at checkout and validate if the rates are now correct.

What's Next?

To change the display name or remove services go to DHL Express Commerce > Settings > Checkout Rates.