Managing Flexport 3PL Fulfillment

Flexport is a global logistics platform offering streamlined shipping, warehousing, and fulfillment services for businesses. Unlock the full power of Goflow’s integration benefits in fulfilling 3PL orders using a Flexport warehouse.

To create a Flexport warehouse in Goflow, follow these steps:

Creating the Warehouse:

1. From the sidebar menu, go to Directory › Warehouses.
2. Click the New Warehouse button.
3. For Warehouse Type, select 3rd Party Fulfillment (3PL).
4. Choose Flexport from the list.
5. Enter a name and address for the warehouse.
6. Click Save.

The warehouse will initially be in a Disconnected status.

Connecting the Warehouse:

1. From the sidebar menu, go to Directory › Warehouses, and open the Flexport warehouse.
2. Scroll to the Connection card and click Connect.
3. Log in to Flexport with an admin username.
4. Grant the requested permissions.
5. Return to the Flexport warehouse in Goflow to complete additional settings.

Managing a Flexport Warehouse

Once you've connected the warehouse to your Flexport account, return to the Flexport warehouse in Goflow to manage these settings:

• Enable 3PL Product Import
• Enable 3PL Inventory
• Set the Fulfillment Order Number
• Enable Auto Fulfill

Understanding Flexport Channel Name

The channel name is included in the order fulfillment request. Flexport recognizes only a limited list of channel names. For stores not included in the list below, the channel name in the order request will default to WEBSITE.

The following is a map between the channel name in Goflow and channel name sent to Flexport:

Understanding Flexport Shipping Service Levels

The Flexport order request includes a promised delivery date rather than a specific shipping method. Flexport makes its own calculation on the best shipping method to use to meet the promised delivery date. Goflow determines the promised delivery by evaluating two types of delivery deadlines, and selecting the earlier one:

• Explicit Deliver-by Date - Corresponds to the latest deliver-by date on the order. The deliver-by date is typically provided by the channel, but not all channels provide a deliver-by date.

• Implied Deliver-by Date - The estimated transit time derived from the shipping method assigned to the order.

  Goflow determines the implied deliver-by date — the day by which it's assumed the order should be delivered — by calculating the number of days between the fulfillment request date and the typical transit time for the assigned shipping method. This implied date is used only when the order is missing an explicit deliver-by date or when the explicit date is later than the implied one.

The day the order request is submitted does not count toward transit calculations. Additionally, Flexport observes a cutoff time of 2 PM EST; orders submitted after this time begin counting transit days only after two days. Weekends and holidays are excluded from transit days. Flexport observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Let's consider some examples to illustrate how the promised delivery date is determined.

Example 1: Matching Delivery Dates

• Today: Monday, February 1
• Time: 11 AM EST (before cutoff)
• Order Deliver-By Date: Monday, February 8
• Shipping Method: UPS Ground (5 business days transit)

Calculation:

• Since the order is placed before the cutoff time, transit calculation begins on Tuesday, February 2, as Day 1.
• Counting 5 business days (excluding weekends):
  • Day 1: Tuesday, February 2
  • Day 2: Wednesday, February 3
  • Day 3: Thursday, February 4
  • Day 4: Friday, February 5
  • Day 5: Monday, February 8

Promised Delivery: The two delivery dates are the same. The promised delivery is set for February 8.

Example 2: Deliver-by Date Earlier

• Today: Monday, February 1
• Time: 3PM EST (after cutoff)
• Order Deliver-By Date: Monday, February 8
• Shipping Method: UPS Ground (5 business days transit)

Calculation:

• Since the order is placed after the cutoff time, transit calculation begins on Wednesday, February 3, as Day 1.
• Counting 5 business days (excluding weekends):
  • Day 1: Wednesday, February 3
  • Day 2: Thursday, February 4
  • Day 3: Friday, February 5
  • Day 4: Monday, February 8
  • Day 5: Tuesday, February 9

Promised Delivery: The deliver-by date is sooner. The promised delivery is set for February 8.

Example 3: Implied Date Earlier

• Today: Monday, February 1
• Time: 11 AM EST (before cutoff)
• Order Deliver-By Date: Monday, February 8
• Shipping Method: UPS 2nd Day (2 business days transit)

Calculation:

• Since the order is placed before the cutoff time, transit calculation begins on Tuesday, February 2, as Day 1.
• Counting 5 business days (excluding weekends):
  • Day 1: Tuesday, February 2
  • Day 2: Wednesday, February 3
  • Day 3: Thursday, February 4
  • Day 4: Friday, February 5
  • Day 5: Monday, February 8

Promised Delivery: The delivery date implied by the UPS 2nd Day shipping method is sooner. The promised delivery is set for February 3.

Example 4: Missing Deliver-by Date

• Today: Monday, February 1
• Time: 11 AM EST (before cutoff)
• Order Deliver-By Date: none
• Shipping Method: UPS Ground (5 business days transit)

Calculation:

• Since the order is placed before the cutoff time, transit calculation begins on Tuesday, February 2, as Day 1.
• Counting 5 business days (excluding weekends):
  • Day 1: Tuesday, February 2
  • Day 2: Wednesday, February 3
  • Day 3: Thursday, February 4
  • Day 4: Friday, February 5
  • Day 5: Monday, February 8

Promised Delivery: The delivery date implied by the UPS Ground shipping method is the only delivery date available. The promised delivery is set for February 8.