The DPD (API) shipping method in Xentral allows you to ship your products with the shipping service provider DPD. As one of the largest and most used shipping service providers in Germany, DPD offers you various services.
In order to ship your products with the shipping service provider DPD within Germany or to EU member states, you need special login data from DPD. Then, you can use these credentials to easily connect Xentral to the DPD Cloud. In addition, you can integrate the Xentral shipping method into your shipping process as follows:
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Manual creation of shipping labels for individual delivery notes
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Automatic creation of shipping labels within various logistics processes
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Reliable shipping of different shipment sizes
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Transparent feedback of tracking numbers to your online stores and sales platforms
The Xentral shipping method DPD (API) offers you the following features:
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Selection of additional DPD shipping services
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Defining the print format for shipping labels
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Use of DPD's own Predict tracking functionality including delivery on the desired day or “Abstell-Okay”
To use DPD (API) as a shipping method in Xentral, you first create a new shipping method. Then, you activate it with your existing contract data from DPD. It only takes a few minutes and a few steps to be able to ship your first products with DPD!
If you are not yet a DPD business customer and are interested in the various services offered by this shipping service provider, please check the official DPD homepage first.
Important
To connect the DPD (API) shipping method, you must be granted to access the DPD Cloud and have the access data to the Cloud.
Depending on which customer group you belong to at DPD, you will receive the access data in different ways:
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You are a myDPD Pro customer shipping less than 500 packages per month: Contact your local DPD depot to get the login details.
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You are a myDPD Business customer shipping more than 500 packages per month: You can find the login details in your account at www.mydpdbusiness.de.
You absolutely need the ClouduserID and ClouduserToken credentials to set up the DPD (API) shipping method in Xentral.
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Use the smart search to search for Shipping methods,
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Click on + NEW in the upper right corner.
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Click on DPD (API).
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Enter the information as described in the table below.
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Click on Continue.
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Carry out the following settings:
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Project filter (optional): Specify a project if you want to use a different printer for the shipping label per sales channel.
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Printer: Select the printer that should be used for the shipping label.
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Export printer: The Export printer setting is only relevant if the shipping method supports customs deliveries, meaning shipments to countries outside the European Union. This is not the case with the shipping method DPD (API). Leave the selection as pre-filled by Xentral.
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Click on Continue.
The shipping method is saved.
CloudUser ID (required) |
Enter the CloudUser ID you received after you have been granted access to the DPD Cloud. |
CloudUser Token (required) |
Enter the CloudUser token you received after having been granted access to the DPD Cloud. |
Format (required) |
Select the format in which the DPD shipping labels will be printed later. The options A4 for shipping labels in DIN A4 format and A6 for shipping labels in DIN A6 format are available. |
After carrying out the settings described above, you can now either carry out further expert settings or go directly to a delivery note to create a shipping label.
If you have already set up DPD as a shipping method or the basic settings described above are not sufficient for your requirements, you can carry out additional settings for the shipping method in expert mode. If you have booked additional DPD shipping services, you also specify them in expert mode.
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Use the smart search to search for Shipping methods,
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Click on the pencil icon on the right of the shipping method you want to edit.
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In the Expert settings section, activate the Show additional settings option.
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Carry out the settings as described below. Then, click on Save.
Setting |
Explanation |
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Designation |
Here you can find the name of the shipping method, as it is displayed in Xentral, for example during order processing. The designation is only visible to you and your employees. Make sure that each designation exists only once in Xentral so that the shipping method can always be uniquely identified. |
Type |
This is an internal field label that is required for mapping to your online stores and other sales platforms. Do not change this name if possible! If you do change this name, remember to change it exactly in the settings of your shop and other platforms. An exception is if you work without online stores or sales platforms. In this case, you can rename the type to your liking. |
Module |
Specify the appropriate Xentral module here. In this case, it is DPD API. It is also possible to assign a different module to the shipping method. Note, however, that all existing settings will be lost and the module name will update in editable receipts if you make a change here. |
Project |
Optionally, specify a project assignment. This is required if you want to limit the shipping method to a specific sales channel or project (for example, a specific branch office). If not, this field remains empty and therefore applies to all projects and user groups. |
Active |
Activate this option after you have carried all the necessary settings for the shipping method. NoteYou can deactivate shipping methods that are no longer in use later. Note, however, that deactivated shipping methods will only be displayed in documents that have already been created. In newly created documents and in user interfaces such as the order overview or in the customer data, a deactivated shipping method is no longer available for selection. You can also delete shipping methods. However, this will also delete the shipping history. Therefore, you should only delete incorrectly created shipping methods that you have not used productively. |
No postage check |
Use this option to disable the postage check in the order for the order traffic light. If the postage check remains active, a red traffic light icon is generated for orders as soon as at least one postage item is not included in the sales order. This usually prevents the postage item from being forgotten during manual order creation. Consider whether you want to activate or deactivate this option based on your own workflows and how you work with Xentral. If you typically create many orders manually in Xentral, it may be useful not to activate this option, so that the postage is always reliably included in the sales order, especially for high-priced products or international shipments. |
Printer shipping label |
Select the printer you want to use by default for the shipping labels from the drop-down menu. Note that only printers that you have already set up in Xentral can be selected here. Depending on how and where the shipping process is handled in your company, you can choose exactly the printer you need here - whether directly at your desk or at the packing table in the warehouse. |
Printer export |
The Export printer setting is only relevant if the shipping method supports customs deliveries, meaning shipments to countries outside the European Union. This is not the case with the shipping method DPD (API). Thus, do not select anything here. |
Shipping mail to buyer |
Determine rules regarding the way shipping notifications should be sent to your customers by email as soon as the shipment is on its way. The following three options are available: Default behavior: The existing logistics settings from the project are used. You can carry out these settings in the Settings > Basic Settings > Projects > Open Project > Tab: Settings > Tab: Logistics / Shipping menu. In the Stage 1 (Pick/Order Picking) and Stage 2 (Pack) sections, you can activate the check boxes named Email to inform your customers about the status of order processing. No shipping mail: No shipping information will be sent by email for this shipping method. Custom text template: For this shipping method, the selected text template will be sent via email. You need to create this template in advance in the Settings > Basic Settings > Receipts > Text templates menu. Then select the desired template from the Text template drop-down menu. This selection will not use the project’s logistics settings for this shipping method. |
Text template |
This setting is only available if you have selected the Custom text template for the option Shipping mail to buyer. Select a specific text template to be sent for this shipping method. For example, this could be information tailored specifically to the shipping service provider or information for self pick-up, which may differ depending on the branch office. |
Deliveries supported |
When setting up the DPD (API) shipping method, this option is activated by default. Once you have carried out all the other necessary settings and set the shipping method to Active, you can select the shipping method in sales orders, delivery notes and in the shipping center. This allows you to manually select the shipping method during all important steps of order processing in Xentral. |
Returns supported |
Enable this option to allow your customers to send returns for sales orders originally created using the DPD (API) shipping method. |
Preferred return shipping method |
Select a preferred shipping method for returns. If you create a return to an order in Xentral with the shipping method DPD (API), the shipping method selected here is automatically preselected in the return order. This setting applies to cases where you manually create returns in Xentral and also generate the return shipping yourself and send it to your customers. |
Send with "Classic Predict" |
This option represents standard shipping and activates DPD's live tracking service, so your customers can track the status of delivery at any time. ImportantWe recommend that you enable this option in any case if you have not booked an alternative shipping service with DPD. Otherwise, DPD may charge you additional costs for your shipments. |
Alternative shipping service |
Have you booked a DPD service other than Classic or Classic Predict? Then enter the identifier of the corresponding shipping service here. For more information about the available services and their respective product identifiers, see the chapter Selecting DPD Services below. |
Minimum weight |
Enter the required minimum weight for DPD shipments here. Any value greater than 0 is allowed. This setting is optional. If in doubt, check with your DPD account manager to see what information is expected here. |
Adjust weight in |
To create the shipping label, an accurate calculation of the total weight of the shipment including packaging material is required. Xentral, automatically calculates the shipment weight in the background by adding up the total weight of the items included in the sales order. The present option adds a weight specified by you. This creates a total value for the shipping declaration, which is taken into account when creating the shipping label and automatically reported to DPD. Decide whether the additional weight of the packaging material should be expressed in kg or %. Use the following setting called Adjust weight to to define the extra weight more precisely. |
Adjust weight to |
This setting allows you to specify your details for the Adjust weight in setting. Enter the additional weight of the shipment in kilograms or percentages here, depending on the previous selection. Which calculation method and which specific values you choose depends on the packaging type of your products and the packaging materials you use. |
Print format |
Select the format in which the shipping labels for DPD shipments should be printed. The options A4 for shipping labels in DIN A4 format and A6 for shipping labels in DIN A6 format are available. |
Reference 1 on label |
Use the variables that are displayed to determine whether you want to print additional information on the shipping label. You can also enter a free text. The following variables are available: {DELIVERY_NOTE}, {ORDER}, {PROJECT}, {YOUR_ORDER_ID}, {NAME3}, {INTERNET}. |
Reference 2 on label |
Use the variables that are displayed to determine whether you want to print more information on the shipping label in addition to Reference 1 on label, You can also enter a free text. The following variables are available: {DELIVERY_NOTE}, {ORDER}, {PROJECT}, {YOUR_ORDER_ID}, {NAME3}, {INTERNET}. |
Complete immediately |
If this option is activated, accidental creation of multiple shipping labels for the same package is prevented if the number of labels is entered in the parcel label dialogue. This is only the case if a delivery is divided into several packages. Shipping labels are created according to the specified number of shipping packages. The corresponding tracking numbers are automatically saved. Finally, a shipping e-mail will be sent, which contains the links to the shipment tracking as well as the tracking numbers of DPD. WarningDo not enable this option if you have specified in the project settings that the delivery note and shipping label are printed in Stage 1 (Picking/Order picking) of the logistics process. |
Save tracking number in sales order |
Activate this option to save the tracking number in Xentral directly to the corresponding order after the shipping label has been created. This means that the tracking number is permanently recorded in your system and you do not have to rescan the shipping label after creation to record this data in Xentral. |
Generate shipping label in advance |
Enable this option to generate DPD shipping labels in advance in the background as soon as a sales order with this shipping method is transferred to auto shipping. This makes printing shipping labels in Xentral much faster, especially if you send a very large number of shipments every day. You should read more about this setting before activating the option. ImportantIf this option is activated, a shipping label will be generated directly when the sales order handed over to auto shipping. Although this shipping label is not yet stored or visible in Xentral at this time, it is requested from DPD in the background and is visible in your DPD business customer portal. If subsequently changes are made to a sales order, an updated shipping label is automatically generated. This can result in additional costs for you if DPD charges you for the shipping labels. Check with your DPD account manager before using this setting. |
With DPD, you have the possibility to book further shipping services to your contract. These shipping services include different types of express shipping, which are explained in more detail directly at DPD. This way, your products reach your customers much faster when needed.
Important
If you use multiple DPD shipping services at the same time, you need to create different shipping methods in Xentral. A separate shipping method is required for each shipping service.
Proceed as described below to add alternative shipping services for DPD in Xentral.
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Use the smart search to search for Shipping methods,
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Click on the pencil icon on the right of the shipping method you want to add a shipping service for.
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In the Expert settings section, activate the Show additional settings option.
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In the Alternative shipping service field, enter the product identifier of the desired shipping service. You can find a list with the corresponding identifiers in the table below.
In the following, you can find a list of available DPD shipping services in Xentral and the necessary product codes to enter in the Alternative shipping service field.
DPD shipping service |
Product identifier for setup in Xentral |
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DPD 08:30 (delivery by 08:30 a.m.) |
Express_830 |
DPD 12:00 (delivery by 12:00 a.m.) |
Express_12 |
DPD EXPRESS (Delivery by 18:00 p.m.) |
Express_18 |
DPD 12:00 Saturday (delivery on Saturdays until 12:00 a.m.) |
Express_12_Saturday |
Warning
When setting up the shipping method in Xentral, only use product identifiers for shipping services that you have contracted with DPD and that have been activated for you. Otherwise, errors will occur when creating DPD shipping labels.
Once you have carried out all the settings as described above, you can test the parcel label printing in the dispatch center or in an individual delivery note. To do this, proceed as follows.
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Click on the pencil icon on the right to open a delivery note in the Settings > Warehouse > Delivery note menu.
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Open the Details tab.
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Scroll down until you reach the Delivery note section.
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Select the DPD (API) shipping method from the Shipping method drop-down menu.
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Click on Save. You will then be redirected directly to the Parcel label tab of the delivery note. If necessary, adjust the address details and click on Print parcel label.
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Download the shipping label. Then you can open it and check for any errors.
In this chapter, we have listed the error messages that can occur when using the DPD (API) shipping method in Xentral.
Error message |
Explanation and solution |
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YourInternalID 28: XXXXXX - Street - Postcode - City cannot be matched. There is probably a spelling error in the address. |
This error message is passed directly from DPD to Xentral. This specific error occurs in case wrong address data was entered when creating the shipping label. First, check if the mentioned address data has been entered correctly. If the error message persists, you should contact DPD customer service. |
YourInternalID XXXXXX MPSEXP_1: The parcel slip number xxxxxxxxxx has already been used in another order during the validity period |
This error message is passed directly from DPD to Xentral. This specific error occurs when the number range for your DPD business customer account needs to be extended. Background information: The parcel numbers assigned by DPD are usually valid for 6-9 months and will be reused after that time. It may happen that the parcel numbers assigned to you are used up at an early point in time and are thus repeated. Please contact your account manager at DPD or DPD customer support to extend the number range and resolve the error. |
YourInternalID XXXXXX ROUTING_15: The service combination is not possible |
This error message is passed directly from DPD to Xentral. This specific error occurs during the generation of the shipping label in Xentral when the selected DPD shipping service is not available for the input recipient address. NoteProduct identifiers other than ROUTING_15 may also be included in the error message. Please contact your account manager at DPD or DPD customer support to resolve the error. |
The shipping date is not an allowed pick-up date. No pick-up on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. |
This error message is passed directly from DPD to Xentral. This specific error occurs when you try to create a shipping label in Xentral on a Saturday, Sunday, or on a public holiday. Since DPD does not collect shipments on these days, it is not possible to create shipping labels on those days. ImportantCreating DPD shipping labels for the above days is a limitation imposed by DPD. There is no way to work around this behavior with the help of any settings in Xentral. |
A timeout occurred after 00:00:59.9844236 while waiting for a response in the request channel. Increase the time limit value to “Request” or increase the SendTimeout value for the connection. The time period assigned for this procedure might have been part of a longer timeout. |
This error message is passed directly from DPD to Xentral. This specific error typically occurs in case of a technical malfunction of the DPD interface. These malfunctions often result in an inability to create DPD shipping labels. If you see this error message, you should contact DPD customer service to obtain more detailed information on the duration of the malfunction. As soon as the Xentral customer service team learns of such a technical malfunction, users are informed by means of an in-product message in Xentral and in the Xentral Community. |