Test a carrier connection

Test connection asks a carrier for one real quote using the details saved on its card. Use it after you connect a carrier, after you change its login, or when its rates go missing.

Beginner · How-to guide

The test works on a brand-new store. It doesn't need any shipping rules or methods.

Steps

1. Go to Settings → Carriers and open the carrier.
2. Enter or update the details, then select Save Settings.
3. Select Test connection at the bottom of the card. The button reads Testing… and you'll see "Getting a test quote. This can take a few seconds."
4. Read the result under the button.

What the test sends

The test is a real quote on your own carrier account:

• Parcel carriers: a 3 lb box (10 × 8 × 6 in) to a home address.
• Freight carriers: a 300 lb pallet (48 × 40 × 48 in) to a business, at the Freight class on the card (class 70 if it's empty).

It ships from your origin under Settings → General to a fixed test address. For US stores that's Hewlett, NY (Chicago, IL if you're in New York). For Canadian stores it's Toronto (Vancouver if you're in Ontario). Some carriers use a different city that they serve, so the city in your result may differ.

What the result means

Success

• "Connected. {Carrier} quoted $… for a 3 lb box to …" — your details work.
• "Connected. {Carrier} answered with rates for …" — your details work. The carrier didn't price the exact service tested, but it accepted your account.

A passing test also clears a Check account warning for that carrier right away.

Something to set up first

• "Enter your {Carrier} details and save, then test again."
• "Add your origin zip under Settings → General, then test again."
• "{Carrier} quotes need your street address. Add it as Origin address 1 under Settings → General, then test again."
• "Connect your UPS account first, then test again." See Connect UPS.
• "Enter your FedEx RESTful API key and secret key and save, then test again." See Connect FedEx.
• "Log in with TForce first, then test again." or "TForce rates only run when your UPS account is connected too. Connect UPS, then test again." See Connect TForce Freight.
• "The connection test covers US origins for now." (or Canadian origins) — this carrier can only be tested from an origin in that country. It isn't an error with your account.

The carrier rejected the request

• The carrier's own message, for example "SAIA Error - …" or "ShipStation Error - 401 Unauthorized". A 401 or "unauthorized" almost always means the login, key or account number is wrong. See Carrier error messages.
• "{Carrier} didn't return a rate for … and gave no reason." — check every field on the card. If they're correct, contact support.
• "… accepted your login and found the route, but priced … at $0, so checkout gets no rate." — the account number on the card usually isn't set up for rate quotes. Ask your carrier rep.

The carrier hasn't accepted your keys yet

• FedEx: "FedEx hasn't accepted this API key and secret key, so there's no connection to test." Check the keys in your FedEx Developer Portal project and save again.
• FedEx Freight, Worldwide Express / Unishippers, C.H. Robinson: "… hasn't accepted … yet. If you saved them in the last few minutes, wait 5 minutes and test again." These carriers can take up to 5 minutes to accept new details.
• "Your … connection has expired …" — the carrier stopped accepting your saved details. Re-check them, or reconnect for UPS and TForce.

Try again later

• "Tested a moment ago. Please wait a few seconds before testing again."
• "The test couldn't run. Please try again in a minute."
• "Your session has ended. Reload the page to sign in again."

Carriers with a Test connection button

UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, Canada Post, Purolator, Canpar, InXpress, Spee-Dee, ShipStation, DesktopShipper, ShipRite, Worldwide Express / Unishippers, TForce Freight, FedEx Freight, Estes, Saia, Old Dominion, R+L Carriers, ABF Freight, XPO, Southeastern Freight Lines, A. Duie Pyle, Pitt Ohio, Roadrunner, ReTrans, Custom Companies, Dohrn, Day & Ross, Echo Global Logistics and C.H. Robinson.

USPS has no button: it uses ASM's own connection, so there's nothing for you to test. For carriers without a button, check them with the Shipping Estimator. See Test your rates with the Shipping Estimator.

Related

• Carrier labels explained
• A carrier says "Check account"
• Setup notes for other carriers