FedEx Freight, LTL & Specialized Shipping – WooCommerce Shipping Plugin for FedEx FAQs

What kind of ongoing support and maintenance will the custom ODFL LTL plugin receive to ensure compatibility with WooCommerce?

1. Regular maintenance and updates to remain compatible with new versions of WooCommerce and WordPress.
2. Periodic fixes and improvements distributed under the standard PluginHive plugin license model.
3. Continued support from the PluginHive team to handle bugs, security updates, and performance optimization over future years, ensuring long-term stability and security.

How will the custom ODFL LTL plugin interact with PluginHive’s Multi-Carrier Shipping Solution and where will it appear in WooCommerce settings?

1. It will not appear within the Multi-Carrier plugin’s shipping rules section.
2. It functions separately in WooCommerce, meaning shipping methods and rate adjustments for ODFL must be managed through its own settings or complementary tools, not through Multi-Carrier rules.
3. For granular rate adjustments, global-level adjustments can be applied at the service level within the ODFL plugin, but more detailed control requires the use of the “PH Hide Shipping Methods & Rate Adjustment” plugin.

How will ODFL shipping rates be displayed and integrated within WooCommerce alongside FedEx LTL rates?

1. Reflected consistently throughout the WooCommerce order process, including the order details and confirmation emails.
2. Incorporated into standard WooCommerce order outputs and documentation as per existing FedEx LTL plugin behavior.

Does the PluginHive WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin support ODFL LTL shipping integration similar to FedEx LTL features?

Currently, the PluginHive WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin does not support ODFL LTL integration as part of its standard offerings. ODFL LTL is not included in the official development roadmap, and this is the first time such a request has been received. However, if ODFL LTL integration is critical for your business, PluginHive offers a Custom Plugin Package service. This service allows you to prioritize the development of ODFL integration with a fixed-cost proposal, leveraging the same architecture and extensibility as the FedEx solution. The custom integration would be designed to meet your timeline and standards, ensuring easier integration by your development team. For further steps, you can request a proposal under this Custom Plugin Package option.

Can the PluginHive WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin automatically fill shipping information and provide pricing comparisons for FedEx and RL Carriers, including FedEx LTL via the LTL Select Portal?

The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin with Print Label integrates fully with standard FedEx services, allowing you to automatically fetch real-time shipping rates and generate shipping labels using your existing FedEx account. However, it does not support RL Carriers or FedEx LTL shipments booked through the LTL Select Portal. Additionally, the plugin does not offer automatic rate comparison across multiple carriers or different LTL portals. For FedEx shipping (excluding LTL Select Portal) the plugin provides seamless automation, but for RL Carriers or FedEx LTL via LTL Select, you will need to explore other solutions or tools outside this plugin.

How does the WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin handle hazardous battery products with respect to shipping services and surcharges?

1. The product must be marked with “Dangerous Goods Option Type” set to “Hazardous Materials” and all required DG data filled (e.g., UN3480 for lithium-ion batteries).
2. The plugin disables the “Battery Product” option if the DG option is set to avoid conflicts in surcharge calculation.
3. FedEx Ground service is the only shipping method returned for these products since FedEx disallows hazardous battery shipments via Home Delivery or Air services.
4. Dangerous Goods surcharges—including any residential delivery fees—are automatically included in returned FedEx Ground rates.
5. Attempting to ship hazardous batteries via Air or Ground Economy services will result in no shipping options being returned.
6. To remain compliant and obtain accurate rates, users must adhere to these service restrictions and correct product classification in the plugin.

How does the shipment creation process work in the WooCommerce FedEx Shipping plugin, and when is the FedEx account charged?

1. Orders are placed in WooCommerce.
2. The admin creates shipments manually from the order page by generating FedEx shipping labels.
3. Once the label is generated, FedEx will charge your FedEx account only after the FedEx courier scans the label during package pickup.
4. You can see tracking numbers generated for shipments both within the plugin and on your FedEx account after pickup and label scanning.
5. The payment for shipping is deducted from your FedEx account, not from WooCommerce or your payment gateway at this stage.

How does the PluginHive plugin handle residential delivery addresses for shipping rate calculations?

The PluginHive plugin automatically considers whether a shipping address is residential or commercial when calculating shipping rates and options. If the delivery address entered is residential, the plugin sends this information with the shipping request to FedEx to ensure accurate rate fetching and surcharge application. There is no separate setting needed to enable residential address detection as it is handled automatically by the plugin.

How does the PluginHive plugin apply residential surcharges during checkout?

• The plugin automatically includes the residential surcharge in the shipping cost.
• No additional checkbox or customer selection is necessary on the checkout page.

How does the PluginHive FedEx plugin handle migration for older WooCommerce orders, and what should I know about this process?

The PluginHive FedEx plugin version 7.0.7 and above supports WooCommerce's High Performance Order Storage (HPOS) feature by migrating existing orders to ensure compatibility.

Key points about this migration process:

1. Migration is automatically triggered upon activating the new plugin version if legacy order data is detected.
2. To prevent server overload, migrations are processed in batches—by default, 100 orders every 5 minutes—using WordPress cron jobs.
3. The migration from old data formats to HPOS enables the plugin to properly create shipments and manage orders.
4. The process can take significant time on stores with large order volumes (for example, 5000+ orders).
5. It's crucial that WP Cron jobs are functioning correctly and that no customizations block or delay scheduled tasks.
6. Users should monitor migration progress but avoid interrupting the process to ensure successful migration.
7. Once completed, the site’s shipping functionality will fully integrate with WooCommerce’s latest order storage system.

Understanding this migration helps troubleshoot issues related to performance or delays after activating the new plugin.

How does the PluginHive FedEx plugin communicate with FedEx and do we or our hosting provider need to take any action to avoid disruptions with the FedEx plugin?

The PluginHive FedEx plugin operates independently from any notifications or communications from FedEx that may be sent directly to you. The plugin’s operations are not affected by such external communications or announcements. Therefore, neither you nor your hosting provider need to take any special actions to prevent disruptions related to the FedEx plugin. You can continue using the plugin as normal without concern for those FedEx notifications. If you encounter any issues or have further questions, support is available to assist you.

How does the plugin handle duties and taxes when offering free shipping? Will duties and taxes be displayed at checkout in that case?

The FedEx API integrates duties and taxes within the respective FedEx Shipping methods. However, duties and taxes cannot be fetched or displayed alongside a "Free Shipping" method in the plugin. To handle duties and taxes while offering free shipping, you can set the "Duties & Tax" payer as "Receiver" in your FedEx account settings. This configuration ensures FedEx will collect the applicable duties and taxes directly from the customer upon delivery. Note that this approach applies universally to all shipments processed through the plugin.

How does the "Skip Products" feature in the FedEx plugin help manage shipping calculations for free sample products?

• The FedEx plugin ignores these products when calculating shipping rates.
• Shipping charges will then only be calculated based on the remaining products (e.g., your main products).

How does PluginHive handle success stories submitted by third-party agencies rather than direct customers?

PluginHive distinguishes between direct customer stories and those submitted by agencies on behalf of their clients. Stories from agencies may be reviewed with additional scrutiny, especially if backlink requests are involved. PluginHive evaluates such submissions to ensure authenticity and appropriateness before deciding on featuring the story or providing backlinks. Any backlink requests tied to agency-submitted stories require explicit approval and are handled cautiously to maintain trust and content integrity.

How does label and shipment management workflow work within WooCommerce using the PluginHive FedEx plugin?

1. Shipments and labels are generated automatically or manually via WooCommerce order pages.
2. Printing labels individually or in bulk is handled through WooCommerce’s order management interface.
3. Shipment tracking information is available directly in WooCommerce orders.
4. Order status updates are managed separately within WooCommerce and do not automatically sync status changes to FedEx.
5. Pickup requests need to be scheduled either from the plugin interface (if the feature is enabled) or via FedEx’s own website or tools.

How do I verify and complete the required FedEx registration process for using the PluginHive FedEx plugin?

1. In your WooCommerce admin panel, navigate to the PluginHive FedEx plugin settings.
2. Go to the "FedEx Registration" section under the Registration tab.
3. Confirm that your FedEx Account number and billing address are properly entered, and that you see a confirmation of registration status.

How do I verify and adjust the “Specific Countries” settings in the PluginHive FedEx plugin to ensure shipping methods apply to the US?

1. Go to the FedEx Shipping plugin settings in your store admin panel.
2. Locate the section labeled “Specific Countries” or similar, which controls the countries where particular shipping methods are enabled.
3. Ensure the United States (US) is included in this list. If it is missing, add it manually.
4. Save your settings.
5. Clear any caches and verify at checkout that FedEx shipping methods now appear for US addresses.

How do I update the Harmonized Code for products in the PluginHive FedEx plugin, and what is the correct setting for the `<RateRequestTypes>` parameter to request account-based rates from FedEx?

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Products → All Products**.
2. Edit the specific product for which you want to update the Harmonized Code.
3. Navigate to the **Shipping** tab or section within the product editor.
4. Find the **FedEx Shipping details** area.
5. Enter the updated Harmonized Code (e.g., 9004100000) as advised by FedEx.

How do I unsubscribe from Solid Security plugin email updates?

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to the **Solid Security plugin Settings** page, typically found under **Security → Settings**.
3. Look for the email subscription or notification preferences.
4. Select the option to unsubscribe or disable email updates.

How do I set the default value of the "Terms of Sale" field to "Free On Board" in the PluginHive FedEx plugin?

1. Navigate to the WordPress admin dashboard → WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping → FedEx → International Forms (or directly Plugin Settings → International Forms depending on setup).
2. Locate the "Terms of Sale" option in the International Forms section.
3. Select "Free On Board" from the dropdown or input field as the default value.
4. Save the settings. This will apply "Free On Board" as the default "Terms of Sale" value for all new orders using the plugin.
5. Confirm that the change reflects in your shipments or shipping label generation.

Will the custom ODFL LTL plugin support per-product markup/markdown adjustments similar to how the FedEx plugin allows adjustments by shipping class or product category?

The custom ODFL LTL plugin will not natively support direct per-product markup or markdown adjustments within its own settings. However, you can achieve similar functionality by using the PluginHive "PH Hide Shipping Methods & Rate Adjustment for WooCommerce" plugin. This plugin allows you to apply handling charges or discounts as either a percentage or flat rate on top of the shipping rates calculated by carrier plugins (including FedEx and ODFL). Adjustments can be created based on shipping classes or product categories but not on an individual product basis. Therefore, by categorizing your products into classes or categories, you can effectively manage per-item shipping cost adjustments. The proposed ODFL plugin will integrate with this approach, so ODFL rates can be adjusted in the same manner as FedEx rates through this complementary plugin.

Why does adding another heavy item (like an extra bag of sand) shift my shipping option from Home Delivery to Freight in the FedEx plugin?

Adding heavy items increases the total shipment weight and volume, causing the plugin to pack products into a larger box or pallet with weight and dimensions that classify the package as freight. As a result, FedEx returns only freight rate options. For example, a single bag and a few items may fit small parcel limits, but adding another heavy bag makes the total package exceed those limits, triggering freight pricing. This is consistent with FedEx rate structure and packaging logic in the plugin.

How do I apply the "extreme length" special service type to a product so that it generates a shipping quote without errors?

1. Adjust the product dimension to either 143 inches (just under the threshold) or 145 inches (just over the threshold) to trigger the appropriate special service condition.
2. This adjustment activates the Extreme Length Special Service and allows the shipping quote to generate properly.
3. Once the plugin update is available (planned for release soon), the exact 144-inch dimension will also trigger the special service automatically, and you can revert to using exact dimensions if needed.

How can I prioritize certain FedEx shipping methods to be default without enabling more expensive services like FedEx 2Day?

Since WooCommerce orders shipping methods alphabetically by default, to avoid expensive services like FedEx 2Day showing first, you can disable those services in the FedEx plugin settings. Keep only the preferred lower-cost options such as FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx International Economy enabled. This will cause WooCommerce to default to one of these remaining options alphabetically. Unfortunately, without the paid sorting add-on, there is no way within the plugin to set default methods by cost or priority beyond enabling/disabling services.

How can I disable non-freight shipping options in WooCommerce when a product with a freight shipping class is added to the cart?

To disable non-freight shipping options when a product with a specific freight shipping class is added to the cart, you can use a combination of plugins as the WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin by PluginHive itself does not support conditional shipping method display based on shipping class. Follow these steps:

1. Ensure that you have assigned the appropriate shipping class (e.g., "Freight") to your products.
2. Use the **WooCommerce Shipping Plugin for FedEx with Print Label** from PluginHive to retrieve live FedEx shipping rates on your cart and checkout pages.
3. To conditionally show or hide shipping methods (e.g., force freight shipping methods and hide others), install the **PH Hide WooCommerce Shipping Methods & Rate Adjustment** plugin by PluginHive.
4. Configure the PH Hide plugin to:
5. The PH Hide plugin allows customization based on various conditions such as shipping zones, product types or classes, total cart weight, number of items, total price, coupons, and user roles.

For detailed setup and configuration, refer to the official plugin page and documentation here: https://www.pluginhive.com/product/hide-woocommerce-shipping-methods-and-rate-adjustment/

This combined approach offers the flexibility needed to enforce freight-only shipping when freight-class products are in the cart.

Can the PluginHive Hide Shipping Method and Rate Adjustment plugin hide Freight shipping options based on cart item weight or product conditions?

1. Assign a dedicated Shipping Class or tag to products that should trigger Freight shipping visibility.
2. Within the plugin’s configuration, create rules that hide or display shipping methods depending on these shipping classes or product attributes.
3. For weight-based rules, use the plugin’s condition settings to specify a minimum or maximum cart weight threshold to control the visibility of Freight methods.
4. Save and test these rules by adding items meeting the conditions to your cart and verifying that Freight options appear or disappear accordingly.

Can I assign the FedEx plugin to skip all products with the "Canada Post" shipping class in one action using the "Skip Product" feature?

Yes, you can add the entire "Canada Post" shipping class within the FedEx plugin’s Skip Products settings. This will exclude all products assigned to that shipping class from FedEx shipping rates. You do not need to select each product individually. This approach simplifies managing shipping options, especially during Canada Post service disruptions.