Overview
This node interacts with the FedEx API to obtain shipping rate quotes. It is designed to calculate shipping costs based on detailed shipment information such as shipper and recipient addresses, package details, and pickup type. This node is beneficial for logistics, e-commerce, or any application that needs to estimate shipping costs dynamically before creating shipments.
Practical examples include:
- An online store calculating shipping fees at checkout.
- A logistics platform comparing shipping rates for different package configurations.
- Automating freight cost estimation in supply chain workflows.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Account Number | The FedEx account number used for billing and authentication. |
| Shipper City | The city from which the shipment originates. |
| Shipper State Code | Two-letter ISO code representing the state of the shipper's address (default: TX). |
| Shipper Postal Code | Postal or ZIP code of the shipper's location. |
| Shipper Country Code | Two-letter ISO country code of the shipper's location (default: US). |
| Recipient Line 1 | First line of the recipient's address (e.g., street address). |
| Recipient Line 2 | Second line of the recipient's address (optional additional address info). |
| Recipient City | City of the recipient's address. |
| Recipinet State Code | Two-letter ISO code representing the recipient's state (default: US). |
| Recipient Postal Code | Postal or ZIP code of the recipient's location. |
| Recipinet Country Code | Two-letter ISO country code of the recipient's location (default: US). |
| Packages | JSON string describing a list of packages to be shipped, including dimensions and weight. |
| Pickup Type | Specifies the type of pickup service requested (e.g., regular pickup, drop-off). |
Output
The node outputs JSON data containing the shipping rate quote(s) returned by the FedEx API. This typically includes:
- Service types available for the shipment.
- Estimated shipping costs.
- Delivery times and transit estimates.
- Any surcharges or special fees applicable.
If the node supports binary data output (not indicated here), it would typically represent documents like shipping labels or rate confirmations, but this is not evident from the provided code.
Dependencies
- Requires an API key credential for authenticating with the FedEx API.
- The node depends on the FedEx API being accessible and properly configured.
- No other external dependencies are explicitly required.
- The node uses internal logging utilities for verbose output during execution.
Troubleshooting
Common issues:
- Invalid or missing FedEx account number or API credentials will cause authentication failures.
- Incorrect or incomplete address fields may result in errors or no rate quotes returned.
- Malformed JSON in the "Packages" property can cause parsing errors.
- Network connectivity issues to the FedEx API endpoint.
Error messages:
- Authentication errors: Verify API credentials and account number.
- Validation errors: Check all required address fields and ensure they conform to expected formats.
- JSON parsing errors: Ensure the "Packages" input is valid JSON.
- API response errors: Review FedEx API documentation for error codes and meanings.
Links and References
- FedEx Developer Resource Center
- FedEx Rate Services API Documentation
- n8n Expressions Documentation (for dynamic property values)