SF Express Guide

SF Express has become the largest integrated logistics service provider in China and Asia, and the fourth largest in the world. Centering on the logistics ecosystem, SF Express has continually developed its portfolio of product and service capabilities to provide customers with domestic and international end-to-end one-stop supply chain services.

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

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

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.

1. Contact SF Express to request a shipper account. A representative will be in touch for additional details regarding the account.
2. Inform SF Express about using EasyPost’s API for label purchases.
3. Obtain the following production and test credentials:
   1. SF Express Checkword
   2. SF Express Customer Code
   3. SF Express Customer ID
4. Input carrier-specific credentials within the EasyPost Carrier Account Dashboard for comprehensive rate access.

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

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "type": "SfExpressAccount",
  "description": "SfExpressAccount",
  "carrier_account": {
    "credentials": {
      "checkword": "VALUE",
      "customer_code": "VALUE",
      "customer_id": "VALUE"
    },
    "test_credentials": {
      "checkword": "VALUE",
      "customer_code": "VALUE",
      "customer_id": "VALUE"
    }
  }
}'

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

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

When integrating an SF Express account with EasyPost, users should be aware of how rates are managed and displayed. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

• EasyPost initially returns a $0.01 rate for shipments once the SF Express account is set up.
• SF Express will charge the appropriate amount for postage via their billing system.

• SF Express representatives provide rate cards detailing expected costs based on shipment parameters (package size, weight, location, etc.).
• Acquiring this custom rate card from SF Express is crucial, as EasyPost is not automatically privy to these rates.

Once the rate card is received from SF Express, users should contact support@easypost.com for assistance installing the rate card into their account.

SF Express offers the following services:

Use the SF Express Service Coverage tool to view coverage areas.

There are no predefined packages for SF Express.

With EasyPost, generating shipping labels for SF Express 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 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.

Manifesting is not supported or required.

Voiding SF Express labels through EasyPost is supported.

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

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

SF Express accommodates pickups based on individual agreements with customers. While regular pickups can be arranged directly with SF Express during the account registration process, they cannot be scheduled via the EasyPost API.

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.

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.

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.

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