How Long Is the ShipAid Shipping Rates Program Onboarding?

ShipAid’s Shipping Rates Program is a group purchasing organization (GPO) model for shipping. It gives your business access to negotiated carrier rates that are typically only available to high-volume enterprises. Whether you're shipping 100 packages a week or 10,000, the program helps lower your costs across major carriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS, along with a growing network of freight providers.

What’s Included:

• Discounted parcel and freight rates
• Transparent, dual-invoice billing
• No software lock-in
• No volume commitments
• Dedicated support
• Compatibility with your current shipping stack

To access all of this, you only need to complete a simple onboarding process.

ShipAid Onboarding: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Fill Out the Approval Form

The first step is submitting your Shipping Rates Program approval form. This is not a contract or subscription. It’s a short intake form that helps us understand your shipping needs and assign you the most accurate pricing structure.

You’ll provide:

• Estimated annual shipping spend
• Shipment types such as parcel, freight, domestic, and international
• Current carriers in use
• Shipping software and fulfillment tools you rely on
• Basic business details like industry, average shipment volume, and warehouse location(s)

We do not ask you to switch platforms or carriers. This step is simply about understanding your operation so we can apply the right rates and services.

Step 2: Submit the Form and Receive Review

Once your form is submitted, our operations team reviews the details to confirm eligibility for the Shipping Rates Program.

The review process includes:

• Verifying your shipping volume
• Matching you with the appropriate rate tier
• Identifying any potential system or carrier integration needs
• Assigning you a dedicated shipping representative

Approval typically takes three to five business days. If any clarification is needed, someone from our team will reach out directly.

Step 3: Account Setup and Rep Assignment

Once approved, you become part of the ShipAid network. You’ll receive:

• A welcome email with next steps
• A confirmation of your pricing tier
• Credentials for any ShipAid-managed carrier accounts, if applicable
• A dedicated shipping representative to guide you through the setup process

Your rep is available to help connect your software, activate your rates, and ensure your operations continue uninterrupted. This is not a support ticket or rotating help desk. You work directly with someone who understands your shipping environment and is there to help as your business grows.

Step 4: Activate Your Discounted Rates

At this stage, ShipAid’s Shipping Rates Program goes live. Your rates will be activated based on your preferred setup:

Option 1: Keep Your Carrier Accounts

If you already use Ontrac, UPS, DHL, we can apply discounted rates to your existing carrier accounts. Your billing, automation, and tracking tools stay the same, with better pricing added in.

Option 2: Use a ShipAid-Managed Account

If you prefer a simpler setup or don’t yet have carrier accounts, ShipAid can provide access through our own managed accounts. You continue using your existing shipping software and dashboards, and we handle the infrastructure on the back end.

Either way, your rates become active within your current systems. You do not need to change the way you ship.

Billing Is Transparent and Simple

ShipAid uses a dual-invoice model to keep your shipping finances clean and easy to track.

• Invoice 1: From your shipping carrier, detailing all shipment charges
• Invoice 2: From ShipAid, showing your GPO program fee based on your tier

This model provides complete clarity and cost control. Most businesses see lower total shipping expenses compared to what they would pay booking independently, especially as their volume increases.

What You Don’t Need to Do

Onboarding with ShipAid does not require:

• Switching platforms
• Replacing your carrier accounts
• Signing long-term contracts
• Meeting volume minimums
• Giving up control of how you ship

You continue using the tools and carriers you prefer. ShipAid simply helps you do it more efficiently and at a lower cost.

Real Onboarding, Real Businesses

Case 1: National eCommerce Brand

A growing apparel company shipping over 1,500 orders daily with UPS and USPS submitted their form and went live within four weeks. They kept using ShipStation without needing to change a single part of their workflow.

Case 2: Subscription Box Business

A monthly subscription brand using USPS went live within three weeks. They now enjoy batch label discounts and responsive account support with zero disruptions to their operations.

Designed for Scale and Built for Flexibility

ShipAid supports everything from startup brands to enterprise-level logistics. Whether you’re running Shopify, NetSuite, a custom-built ERP, or managing fulfillment through a 3PL, we support your setup without requiring change.

As your business evolves, we can:

• Adjust your rate tier
• Add or remove carrier options
• Support new warehouse locations
• Streamline international and freight routes
• Help reduce costs tied to delivery delays or surcharges

Our systems are flexible because your business needs to be.

Final Thoughts

Joining ShipAid is not about switching how you ship. It is about improving how you operate using tools you already have. Our onboarding is fast, supportive, and designed to preserve your systems while lowering your costs.

You keep your software. You keep your carriers.

We help you do it all with less stress and more savings.

Want to unlock smarter shipping with ShipAid?

Submit your approval form to get started.

Updated on: 27/05/2025