Below the MachShip team will look to outline a few different scenarios and things to think when looking to test any surcharge that you have created or adjusted in the MachShip platform.
1.) Adjusting the Automatic Flag
Surcharges that are created can be set to be applied automatically based on a set of conditions. This is completed by setting the flag below as being "True" on your surcharge.
The Automation of this charge will apply based on the linked query being true.
Important Note:
- If your surcharge needs to apply based on a set of circumstances or under a set scenario or conditions, please make sure that this has been linked by the MachShip team before you set this flag as true. If not, kindly be guided that this could then lead to overquotes and overcharges.
Furthermore, if you have requested that a surcharge that has previously not had a query assigned to it and have one linked, please ensure that you think of every client that this may affect. (Refer on the Surcharge Page: `Links` section)
To see if a surcharge has a query linked to it please edit the charge. The query will be shown in the Conditions section like the below:
2.) Change in Condition- dimensions, Item Types, Weight or Volume
Carrier Surcharges can be set up to apply based on a set of dimension, weight or volume conditions. An example of this would be the Manual Handling Fee. This charge is a fee raised by a carrier when a shipping item exceeds the maximum dimensions or weight that can be safely moved through a sortation belt.
If you request that a surcharge that utilises a conditional dimension or weight query please ensure that you have ticked off the scenarios below:
1.) A scenario whereby all items on the quote or consignment -
a.) should attract the surcharge
b.) should NOT attract the surcharge
2.) A scenario whereby some items on the quote or consignment -
a.) should attract the surcharge
b.) should NOT attract the surcharge
Important Note:
Please ensure that the correct number of surcharges are applying (indicated like the below) before approving the surcharge change.
3.) Change in Condition: Zone or Location-based Surcharge
Carrier Surcharges can be set up to apply based on a set of zones or a delivery location. An example of this would be the Remote Area Delivery Charge. This charge is a fee raised by a carrier when a shipping to a location that they deem to not have a significant number of deliveries and thus raises an extra cost.
If you request that a surcharge that utilises a conditional dimension or weight query please ensure that you have ticked off the scenarios below:
1.) A scenario where the consignment is travelling TO a location -
a.) that should attract the charge
b.) that should NOT attract the surcharge
2.) A Scenario where the consignment is travelling FROM a location -
a.) that attracts the charge on the delivery but not the pickup
b.) that should NOT attract the charge.
3.) A scenario where the consignment is travelling FROM and TO a set of locations that should NOT attract the charge.
Important Note:
Please ensure that the surcharge is applying under all circumstances as expected
4.) Change in Condition: Addition or Removal of a question
There are certain circumstances whereby the MachShip routing engine is unable to deduce when a surcharge would apply from the default information provided.
This information is:
- From Location Name, Address, Suburb, Postcode
- To Location Name, Address Suburb, Postcode
- Item type, Item Dimensions, Item weight.
An example of this would be a Tailgate Delivery. The need to utilise a tailgate delivery can only be known based on the equipment that exists at the receiver's site, i.e the availability of a forklift. As such, in order to enable a client to generate a quote that includes this charge MachShip has devised the use of Questions.
These questions will appear as below on the quote/consignment creation:
The fact of these questions being true (selected by the user or the integration) will then be linked to a surcharge as a Condition.
If you request the addition of a question to an existing surcharge please ensure that you think of the below:
1. Does the Question when selected apply the charge correctly?
2. Does the charge apply correctly when a user has not selected the question?
3. Do you understand that the charge will now not apply UNLESS this question is selected?
4. Does your clients or users understand that the charge will now not apply UNLESS this question is selected?
5. Are there any instances where this addition may change the existing functionality you have previously configured?
Important Note:
Please ensure that all 5 of the above have been ticked off and considered before approving this change.
5.) Change in Condition: Addition or Removal of a question - Effect on API users or users who generate consignments via Imports
There are certain circumstances whereby the MachShip routing engine is unable to deduce when a surcharge would apply from the default information provided, as discussed above there are times where these surcharges will need to be applied based on the user selecting a Question.
If you are looking to configure your surcharge to work via utilising the question functionality it is important to ensure that you have considered the below:
1. Are there any API or File Import users of MachShip who may be affected by this change? Have they been notified? Do they know how to utilise Questions in a file mapping or via the API?
The easiest way to complete this analysis would be to consider any client who utilises that carrier and by what method do they utilise the platform.
2. If they have been notified, have you ensured that they have completed their testing before this has been pushed live and has their testing included the scenarios listed above?
It is important to understand that the surcharge will NOT apply unless the question has been selected.
To understand how to utilise a question via the API please refer to our documentation listed below:
Questions when Routing via the API
Questions when consigning via the API
Utilising Questions when Setting up a Workflow Task
6.) Fuel Levy Exempt
There will be circumstances where a carrier may provide you with a surcharge that does not attract or have the Fuel Surcharge applied to it.
To switch this off you would set the flag below as `YES`
By default, MachShip will always look to apply the fuel levy to a created surcharge.
Important Note:
If your surcharge does not need to have the fuel surcharge applied to it, then please ensure that you set this flag as true. If you do not then this could lead to overquotes and overcharges.
7.) Setting the Apply to Items Flag
You will also find that there are Carrier Surcharges that will apply based on the number of items. An example of this is the Hand Unload Fee. This is a fee charged by carriers when they need to break down a pallet at the delivery location and then deliver the pallets individual components.
In order for MachShip to apply a surcharge against a number of items, there is a need to ensure that the following have been configured:
1. The condition has been set which will advise what type of item this fee should apply to - this is required even if the charge should apply to ANY ITEM on the quote or consignment
2. The flag below has been set to be true:
If you set up a surcharge that should be applying per item please ensure that you think of the below:
1. Does the charge apply when 1 item is selected?
2. Does the charge apply multiple times when you have multiple items quoted?
3. Is the charge ONLY applying to the items which it should when you have multiple items quoted?
Important Note:
Please ensure that all 3 of the above have been ticked off and considered before approving this change.
8.) Setting Carrier Surcharge Links
The linking of a surcharge will advise MachShip which company, carrier, service or account to apply the surcharge to. You will find at times that there is a need to apply a surcharge to one of your sub-companies or to a specific client.
If you set up a surcharge so that it will apply to a specific sub-company or client, please ensure that you test the scenarios below:
1. Is the charge applying correctly to the client you have linked? Ensure that there are no double-ups
2. Is the charge not applying to any unrelated client that you have?
3. Ensure that the surcharge is not duplicated when quoting for your company
Important Note:
Please ensure that all of the above have been ticked off and considered before approving this change.
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