Purolator Guide

Purolator is a leading integrated freight, package, and logistics provider, delivering packages to, from, and within Canada. With one of the most extensive networks in Canada, they reach some of the most remote locations, helping businesses to deliver their promises and drive results through customized shipping and supply chain solutions.

This guide includes detailed information on utilizing Purolator shipping with the EasyPost API, focusing on account setup, rates, label creation, manifests, tracking, and more.


Prerequisites

Account Registration

Sign up for an EasyPost account to obtain a Test and Production API key. See Authentication and Key Management for more information.

Note: Negotiated rates are only available in Production mode.

Carrier Setup

Upon sign-up with EasyPost, users gain immediate access to Default Carrier Accounts, which can be enabled directly from the Dashboard. For additional carriers, EasyPost supports a Bring Your Own Account (BYOA) option. This requires users to register directly with the respective carrier.

Purolator Account Registration

  1. Contact Purolator to request a shipper account. A representative will be in touch for additional details regarding the account.
  2. Inform Purolator about using EasyPost’s API for label purchases.
  3. Acquire rates and align any additional shipping needs.
  4. Obtain the following account credentials:
    1. Purolator Account Number
    2. Production API Key
    3. Production API Key Password
  5. Input carrier-specific credentials within the EasyPost Carrier Account Dashboard for comprehensive rate access.

Purolator Account via API

The API structure specified by EasyPost can also be used to add the Purolator carrier shipper account.

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "type": "PurolatorAccount",
  "description": "PurolatorAccount",
  "carrier_account": {
    "credentials": {
      "account_number": "VALUE",
      "api_key": "VALUE",
      "password": "VALUE"
    }
  }
}'

Software Requirements

Download an EasyPost Client Library or utilize the REST API with cURL.

Documentation Review

Examine the EasyPost Objects section to understand the API's structure, which is critical for constructing requests and interpreting responses.


Rates

Purolator is a Live Rating integration, enabling real-time rate retrieval for shipments created via EasyPost. Rates are guaranteed valid for a minimum of five minutes.

  • When creating a shipment, EasyPost requests Purolator for shipment rates specific to the user's Purolator account.
  • The rates provided are directly from Purolator and tailored to the user's specific account details.
  • In cases of discrepancies or incorrect rates, users are advised to contact their Purolator account representative.
  • The representative can then update the rates to ensure user account accuracy.

Service Levels

Purolator offers the following service levels:

Service
Transit Time
Max Dimensions (inches)
Max Weight (ounces)
PurolatorExpress
PurolatorExpress12PM
PurolatorExpressPack12PM
PurolatorExpressBox12PM
PurolatorExpressEnvelope12PM
PurolatorExpress1030AM
PurolatorExpress9AM
PurolatorExpressBox
PurolatorExpressBox1030AM
PurolatorExpressBox9AM
PurolatorExpressBoxEvening
PurolatorExpressBoxInternational
PurolatorExpressBoxUS
PurolatorExpressEnvelope
PurolatorExpressEnvelope1030AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelope9AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeEvening
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeInternational
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeUS
PurolatorExpressEvening
PurolatorExpressInternational
PurolatorExpressInternational1030AM
PurolatorExpressInternational1200
PurolatorExpressInternational9AM
PurolatorExpressBoxInternational1030AM
PurolatorExpressBoxInternational1200
PurolatorExpressBoxInternational9AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeInternational1030AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeInternational1200
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeInternational9AM
PurolatorExpressPackInternational1030AM
PurolatorExpressPackInternational1200
PurolatorExpressPackInternational9AM
PurolatorExpressPack
PurolatorExpressPack1030AM
PurolatorExpressPack9AM
PurolatorExpressPackEvening
PurolatorExpressPackInternational
PurolatorExpressPackUS
PurolatorExpressUS
PurolatorExpressUS1030AM
PurolatorExpressUS1200
PurolatorExpressUS9AM
PurolatorExpressBoxUS1030AM
PurolatorExpressBoxUS1200
PurolatorExpressBoxUS9AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeUS1030AM
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeUS1200
PurolatorExpressEnvelopeUS9AM
PurolatorExpressPackUS1030AM
PurolatorExpressPackUS1200
PurolatorExpressPackUS9AM
PurolatorGround
PurolatorGround1030AM
PurolatorGround9AM
PurolatorGround12PM
PurolatorGroundDistribution
PurolatorGroundEvening
PurolatorGroundUS
PurolatorQuickShip
PurolatorQuickShipEnvelope
PurolatorQuickShipPack
PurolatorQuickShipBox

Predefined Packages

Purolator has the following predefined packages supported by EasyPost:

Predefined Package
Dimensions (inches)
Weight (ounces)
CUSTOMERPACKAGINGNA
EXPRESSPACKNA
EXPRESSBOXNA
EXPRESSENVELOPENA

Generating Shipping Labels

With EasyPost, generating shipping labels for Purolator is the same process as generating them for any other carrier.

Review the Getting Started Guide for help generating a shipping label.

1-Call Buys

1-call buys enable streamlined label purchasing through the EasyPost API by consolidating multiple operations into a single API request. This feature is designed to simplify and accelerate the shipping process by combining the creation of a shipment, retrieval of rates, and purchasing the shipping label into one efficient step.

See Reducing API Response Times for more information.

Supported Options

Manifests

Manifesting is supported for Purolator.

Refunding and Voiding Labels

Voiding Purolator labels through EasyPost is supported.

Label Formats

EasyPost offers native Purolator labels in ZPL, PNG, and PDF formats.


Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

The Purolator policy on hazardous materials is not explicitly detailed in this guide. Shippers are advised to contact Purolator directly for specific hazmat inquiries.


Pickups

Purolator pickup requests can be made via the EasyPost API. Review the Pickups documentation for details.

Note: Pickups may incur charges; users should consult their Purolator account representative for pricing details.


Tracking

EasyPost simplifies package tracking by offering two methods:

  • Tracking with an existing number and carrier.
  • Using a Tracker included with an EasyPost-purchased shipping label.

The service integrates webhooks for timely shipment updates. For detailed information on tracking methods, visit the Tracking Guide.


Additional Resources

Carrier Metadata

The Carrier Metadata endpoint can programmatically return information about service levels, predefined packages, supported features, and shipment options.

Use this information to quickly integrate and make educated decisions about the mix of carriers for shipping needs. Additionally, the Carrier Metadata endpoint is available to retrieve comprehensive information about all carriers on the EasyPost platform, enhancing decision-making for carrier services.

Support and Troubleshooting

In addition to the guidance provided in our Carrier Guides, EasyPost offers support to assist with FAQs, troubleshooting issues, and inquiries related to the EasyPost platform.

Please visit the Help Center for more information.


Talk to a Shipping Expert

For questions about getting started with the EasyPost API please talk to a Shipping Expert or contact our Support team.