Integration Guide

Table Of Contents
Using Your PayPal Account Profile
Automatic Calculation of Shipping Charges (U.S. Merchants Only)
7
294 September 2008 Website Payments Standard Integration Guide
Shipping Methods
Within each shipping region that you define, you specify specific shipping rates for the
different shipping methods you want to offer buyers. A shipping method specifies a mode of
shipment and the general time frame for delivery. For example, you might offer your domestic
buyers two shipping methods: “Standard Shipping,” “Priority.”
For each region in which you offer a specified shipping method, you generally select different
delivery time frames and different rates. Otherwise, you should not set up separate shipping
regions.
For example, your “Standard Shipping” method for the region where your shipments originate
might specify a time frame of “2-3 Days.” A more distant domestic shipping region might
specify a time frame of “3-7 Days.” You set the same rates for “Standard Shipping” in all
regions, but delivery times are longer for more distant ones.
As an alternative to differentiating on delivery time, you might differentiate on rates. For
example, your “Standard Shipping” method for all domestic regions might specify the same
time frame of “2-3 Days.” You set more expensive rates for “Standard Shipping” in more
distant regions, but delivery times are the same for all regions.
Shipping Rate Bases
For each shipping method in each shipping region that you define, you specify the basis upon
which your shipping rates are used to calculate the shipping charges for specific purchases.
You can choose from the following shipping rate bases:
z Total order amount
z Total order weight
z Total item quantity
Generally, you specify the same shipping rate basis for all shipping regions and shipping
methods that you define. Before you begin setting up the shipping rates that PayPal uses to
calculate shipping charges, decide which basis is most suitable for the kinds of products you
sell and the typical orders that your buyers place.
For more information, see “Examples of Rate Bases and Shipping Calculations” on page 302
Shipping Rate Tables
For each shipping method you define, fill in a rate table to specify the rates that PayPal uses to
calculate shipping charges. Rate tables let you specify tiered rates.