UPS (United Parcel Services) API Integration and Tracking

UPS is a renowned global carrier especially known for being a pioneering player in the rise of parcel and delivery services across the globe. These services are typically implemented by many eCommerce companies through the UPS API Integration process, enabling automation of shipping and tracking workflows. 

UPS was founded more than a century ago, in 1907. The company is currently headquartered in Sandy Springs, United States. This courier company was the first in the industry to start air parcel and cargo services through its own private airline. Currently, UPS APIs can help you in implementing cargo, logistics, and delivery services for any business sector.

The UPS Shipping API allows you to offer a range of delivery services of varying speeds, costs, and reliability. The range includes UPS Ground and UPS Ground Select services for affordable shipping options. Additionally, you can choose express shipping services like Next-Day, Next-day air, 2-day, and 3-day to offer time-definite deliveries across the United States. 

In addition to domestic services across the United States, the UPS services allow you to deliver across 220+ countries. The carrier even has dedicated services for specific regions, as it allows companies to have better control over pricing and delivery time frame with the service. 

The UPS shipping API has special eCommerce modules that enable you to automate the order manifestation process. The offerings include easier setup, weekend deliveries, and free scheduled pickups. The carrier also allows you to set up an eCommerce returns process and enable a better post-purchase experience. 

The UPS API powers a comprehensive dashboard that allows visibility over delivery and experience metrics through the delivery touchpoints. This dashboard provides you with insights on metrics like delivery success rate, customer satisfaction rate, etc. Through these insights, eCommerce businesses can tailor their delivery experience according to the needs of their customers. 

The UPS Tracking API integration is also an integral part of the UPS eCommerce experience. The API powers branded tracking pages and automated notification workflows for businesses. The Quantum View service is a customizable dashboard that has been specially launched for large enterprises dealing with large volumes of shipments. This quantum view service helps them with consolidated visibility over cargo, logistics, and parcel delivery services.

UPS

How Does UPS API Integration and Tracking Benefit E-commerce Businesses?

The UPS API Integration can be leveraged to enable a ton of benefits for eCommerce businesses. Here are the top 6 ways: 

1. Seamless Tracking Experience

The UPS tracking API Integration allows you to forward milestone-based updates for a particular package to the customers. These tracking updates can be sent over various communication channels through gateways for a better post-purchase experience. These tracking updates can also be sent through a branded tracking page to enable additional visits. 

2. Automated Shipping Workflows

The UPS Shipping API can be integrated with the order creation and management workflow to enable an automated shipping process. This allows you to capture the customer details, like address, contact number, etc., from the checkout page to ensure accurate generation of orders with the carrier. In addition to this, the API will generate the order with the carrier for you and share the AWB number with you in the dashboard. 

3. Lower Failed Delivery Rate

One of the main reasons for failed deliveries is inaccurate addresses. Most of the time, shoppers mistakenly enter wrong addresses, and zip codes that lead to NDR (Non-delivery Reports) cases. UPS will help you combat this problem to a great extent, thanks to its address validation API. Via this API, you can verify the city, street, and pin codes beforehand. As a result, it will lower the failed delivery cases, reduce the RTO%, and improve customers’ shopping experience.

4. Reduced Shipping Costs

The UPS rating API will help you compare delivery services and shipping rates, so you can choose the best balance of cost, speed, and reliability and offer the most suitable choice to your customers. 

5. Automated POD tracking Process

UPS also offers a signature tracking API. Via this API, you will get real-time updates on whether or not a parcel has reached the end customer, verify recipients, and improve customers’ experience. 

6. Better Dashboard Insights

UPS has a separate dashboard service that will provide you with consolidated visibility over shipments for various sales channels. The API process allows you to capture data at crucial touchpoints to display more actionable insights. The integration process is also an excellent option to enable real-time data capture. 

Why Will You Integrate the UPS API with Shipping Software?

In simpler words, this integration will enable you to have a wholesome eCommerce delivery experience. The APIs from both platforms complement each other for a better delivery experience. 

Wondering how? The UPS Tracking integration can be paired with the shipping tools’ automated notification module. Their milestone-based notification module will fetch real-time tracking updates from UPS and send them to the customers via different channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, and email.

It will also allow you to provide a branded tracking page to your customers through which they can track their parcels on their own. At the same time, you can show personalized product recommendations on these pages to drive extra revenue. 

The UPS Shipping API can be also used with the NDR and Returns journey modules of these shipping tools. The NDR module will reduce the RTOs through an automated workflow. The Returns Management program will allow you to use the UPS Reverse Logistics services to empower a superior eCommerce returns experience. Alongside these, their EDD functionality will fetch an almost accurate estimated delivery date that you can show on your product and checkout pages to win customers’ impulse buy-ins. 

Final Words!

There’s no doubt in the fact that UPS is one of the most premium logistics companies on the market. If you go for its API integration, you can streamline most of your logistics tasks. We’ve already shown you how. But, if you want to add an extra layer of efficiency and enjoy some top-notch functionalities, we recommend you to connect it with shipping software. Hope it helps!