How Forge Works

Overview

Forge provides a white-label shipping solution that enables marketplaces, software platforms, and logistics providers to embed multi-carrier shipping capabilities directly into their products.

Forge connects platform applications, customer accounts, carriers, and EasyPost’s shipping infrastructure to create a configurable shipping ecosystem.

Platforms can control how shipping services are offered, how pricing is applied, and how customer accounts are managed.


Key Features

Forge provides a set of platform capabilities for managing shipping services at scale.

Sub-Account Management

Create and manage customer environments using sub-accounts. Platforms can configure sub-accounts using either Centralized (Self-Managed Billing) or Decentralized (EasyPost-Managed Billing) options.

Multi-Carrier Shipping

Access EasyPost’s network of 100+ carriers through a single integration for label generation, tracking, and shipping operations.

Pricing and Rate Control

Configure pricing strategies using Forge FlexRate, which allows platforms to apply percentage-based or fixed adjustments to carrier rates returned to sub-accounts.

Advanced Shipping

Provide sub-accounts access to Advanced Shipping, a white-labeled shipping interface for purchasing labels and managing shipments.

Analytics and Reporting

Monitor shipping activity, operational performance, and financial metrics using Forge Analytics and Reporting tools.

Reliable Infrastructure

Forge leverages EasyPost’s API platform, providing 99.99% uptime and scalable infrastructure.


Forge Integration Components

A Forge integration consists of five main components:

  1. Platform Application: A web or mobile application that interacts with Forge.
  2. Forge Account: The platform’s Forge account for managing sub-accounts, carriers, and billing.
  3. Customer Accounts: Sub-accounts that represent businesses or end users accessing shipping services.
  4. Carriers: Shipping providers available within Forge, including:
    1. Wallet Carriers: Carriers integrated through EasyPost’s network.
    2. Bring Your Own Carrier Account (BYOCA): Custom carriers added by the platform.
  5. Billing & Payments: The financial infrastructure managing postage costs, fees, and transactions within Forge.
Forge Sub Account Management Offering

Sub-Account Management Options

Forge allows platforms to manage customer accounts using either APIs or EasyPost-hosted tools.

API Management

Create and monitor sub-accounts via API, then use their API keys to make requests on their behalf.

Forge Dashboard

Manage sub-accounts through the Forge Dashboard and enable shipping services as needed.


Implementation Options

Centralized (Self-Managed Billing)

The platform manages carrier accounts, billing, and pricing strategy. Shipping activity is billed through the platform’s Wallet. Sub-accounts in this option are created as Child User accounts.

Decentralized (EasyPost-Managed Billing)

Each sub-account manages its own EasyPost Wallet. EasyPost processes carrier charges and shipping fees directly through the sub-account’s wallet, reducing financial risk for the platform. Sub-accounts in this option are created as ReferralCustomer users.


Use Cases

Forge is designed to support a variety of B2B industries, including:

  • SaaS Platforms: Web and mobile application providers embedding shipping capabilities within their products.
  • Marketplaces: Platforms enabling sellers to access low-cost, pre- and post-shipment functionality.
  • 3PLs and Logistics Service Providers: Businesses optimizing shipping operations using EasyPost’s reliable shipping API.
  • Carriers: Service providers expanding their offerings and unlocking new value with Forge.

Next Steps

To begin implementing Forge: Choose an implementation model–Centralized (Self-Managed Billing) or Decentralized (EasyPost-Managed Billing). Complete Forge onboarding with the EasyPost team. Follow the appropriate implementation guide:


Additional Resources

Please visit the Help Center for more information.