PREREQUISITES: Ensure the Canada Post add-on is installed and enabled as described in Installing Add-ons from X-Cart App Store.
The traditional way to configure the Canada Post add-on is to automatically port the settings into X-Cart by hitting the Register button on the add-on settings page. The procedure is described in detail here.
However, it may still be necessary to adjust some parcel characteristics afterward, or you may prefer to configure the add-on manually.
General Setup
To set up Canada Post manually:
On the Shipping page of your X-Cart store's Admin area (Store Setup> Shipping), click the Add shipping method button.
In the popup that appears, choose the Canada Post shipping method.
The Canada Post settings page will open.
Click the Configure manually button to open the setting parameters available for configuration.
Configure the settings.
The page includes all possible parameters that you can set up for the Canada Post add-on divided into several sections.The page also provides a possibility to return to the main add-on settings page via the Enable merchant wizard link to set up the add-on automatically.
Click Submit to make the configuration active.
Below is an explanation of the settings that you can find on the Canada Post manual configuration page.
Canada Post Settings
This section consists of the general parameters that define the related Canada Post account data (usually pre-defined if you used auto-setup), the add-on usage mode, and the ability to store logs on the server.
User and Password: These fields store your Canada Post merchant API key (username and password).
The fields are filled in automatically if you completed the add-on configuration using the Register button on the add-on settings page. See more details on the automated add-on setup here.
It is also possible to define the fields' values manually if required.Developer mode: Enable it to test the shipping method before making it live.
Log all communications between the shopping cart and UPS server: Enable to have logs saved for future references.
Additional Settings
This section consists of the additional parameters you can set up for your Canada Post account.
Quote type: Select the type of Canada Post rates you want to use in the store.
Commercial: contracted rates as agreed between you and Canada Post;
Counter: the rates you will get over the counter (without a customer or contract number).
Customer number: This field is intended for your Canada Post commercial customer number if you have one.
This field fills in automatically if you have completed the Canada Post auto-setup.
See the Canada Post website for more info:Currency rate: This setting serves the stores whose primary currency is other than the Canadian Dollar. Here you must specify a conversion rate for the currency used by your store (Specify rate X, where 1 CAD = X in shop currency).
Contract Shipping Options
This section provides settings that define the contract shipping options.
Contract ID: Your Canada Post contract number. Provide this information for commercial (contracted) rates if it exists. For non-contract rates, this field will be empty.
This field is pre-defined in the case of auto-setup.
Shipments pick up type: Use the dropdown to set how you want to ship goods from your store. Your options are:
Shipments are picked up by Canada Post
Deposit your items at a Post Office
Site number of the deposit location: Specify the site number from your Canada Post account. (Look up the site number using Find a Deposit Location).
Render detailed manifest: Specify whether you need a full detailed manifest document to be rendered (Yes) or a summarized manifest document (No).
Contact name for the manifest address: Specify the name that Canada Post should use for your manifest address (Character string up to 44 characters; will be printed on the manifest document).
Deliver to Post Office Options
This section provides settings that define delivery options to post offices.
Enable the "Deliver to Post Office" feature: Enable this to allow your buyers to get their purchases at a nearby post office location of their choice.
The "Deliver to Post Office" option is available only with Xpresspost and Expedited Parcel Services.
Maximum Post Offices that Will Be Displayed: Specify the maximum number of post offices that should display for selection to a buyer who chose to use the "Deliver to Post Office" option.
Parcel Characteristics
The settings in this section allow you to specify the typical characteristics of a parcel that you will send from your store via Canada Post. These characteristics will be the default values for the shipments configuration; if necessary, you will be able to edit these values.
Package length (cm): The longest dimension of the parcel in cm (Numeric field, 999.9 patterns).
Package width (cm): Second longest dimension of the parcel in cm (Numeric field, 999.9 patterns).
Package height (cm): The shortest dimension of the parcel in cm (Numeric field, 999.9 patterns).
Package maximum weight (kg): Set the maximum total weight of a parcel to split goods into boxes.
Document: Enable the toggle to allow documents' shipments.
Unpackaged: Use the toggle to allow unpackaged shipments. For example, auto tires may be an example of an unpackaged shipment.
Mailing tube: Enable the toggle to use mailing tube packaging (e.g., a poster tube).
Oversized: Enable the toggle to allow sending oversized parcels.
Currently, the Canada Post add-on does calculate rates and split orders into multiple packages based on the values specified in the Package length, Package width, and Package height fields. It counts only the "Package maximum weight" value and the weight of the products in the order.
Parcel Options
The settings in this section allow you to specify the default option values for your Canada Post shipments.
Way to deliver: Use the dropdown to provide special instructions on how the parcel should be delivered. You can choose one of the following options:
Not specified
Card (hold) for pick up: This option is ideal for shipments containing temperature-sensitive items. It means that the parcel will be marked "Card for Pickup" to ensure that Canada Post does not deliver it. Instead, Canada Post will notify the addressee that they must pick up the order at the post office. In addition, Canada Post will require the addressee or a representative to show one valid piece of government-issued photo identification when picking up the item.
Leave at the door: This option is only available for items usually delivered to the door. A delivery attempt will be made at the door. If no one is available and the item fits, it will be left in the addressee's mail receptacle. If the item does not fit or the mail receptacle is full, and there is a safe drop location (an appropriate safe place where the parcel is sheltered from the weather and not seen by passers-by), a courier will safely drop the item. The courier will also leave a Safe Drop Card indicating the safe drop location in the addressee's mail receptacle at the time of delivery. If a safe drop is not possible, a courier will leave a Delivery Notice Card, and the item will be available for pickup at the designated post office.
Do not safe drop: This option only changes the delivery process for items where a delivery attempt is made at the door. A courier will leave the parcel in the addressee's mail receptacle. If the item does not fit, a delivery attempt will be made at the door. If no one is available to receive the item, the courier will leave a Delivery Notice Card, and the addressee will be able to pick up the item at the designated post office.
Signature: Enable this option if you want to get the recipient's signature at delivery. Signature ensures that a personal hand-off of the item occurs at delivery and provides proof of this activity.
Proof of age: If you require the Proof of Age option, specify the age that a parcel recipient must be to receive the shipment. The following options are available:
Not specified
18 years
19 years: The "Proof of age" option ensures that, when the receiver appears to be less than 25 years of age, Canada Post will request a photo identification proving age and record the signatory's signature and name. Canada Post will only hand the item over to a person with an acceptable identification (ID) proving the age of the majority.
See Canada Postal Guide under Policies for a list of the age of majority identification by province or territory.
Coverage: If you need insurance for your parcels, use this field to specify the coverage amount as a percentage of the order subtotal. Set this value to "0" (zero) if you do not need coverage.
Non-delivery instructions: Specify what to do about your parcel if delivery cannot be completed (required for some U.S.A. and international shipments). Choose one of the following options:
Not specified
Return at Sender's Expense
Return to Sender
Abandon: The parcel will not be returned but disposed of by Canada Post.
Please refer to the Canada Postal Guide for detailed information on Canada Post rules and practices.
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