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Third-Party Billing

Racko's Third-Party Billing feature allows you to charge shipping labels to a postage account that isn't directly connected to your Racko account. This is particularly useful when you have arrangements with customers who agree to pay for their own shipping fees.

Understanding Third-Party Billing​

Third-party billing enables you to use a customer's or partner's carrier account to pay for shipping labels, while still managing the shipping process through Racko.

Requirements for Third-Party Billing​

To use third-party billing in Racko, ensure you meet these requirements:

  1. Connected Carrier Account: You must have your own account with the carrier connected to Racko.
  2. Third-Party Account Details: You need the third party's postage account number and postal code.
  3. Carrier Approval: The third-party account must be approved by the carrier for third-party billing.
  4. Supported Carrier: Ensure your carrier supports third-party billing (check our Carrier Integrations guide for details).

Setting Up Third-Party Billing​

To apply third-party billing to an order:

  1. Select the order in the Orders grid.
  2. In the Shipping sidebar, select the appropriate carrier and service.
  3. Expand the "Billing Options" section.
  4. Select "Third Party" as the billing option.
  5. Enter the third party's account number and postal code.
  6. Create the label as usual.

Automation Rules for Third-Party Billing​

For frequent third-party billing, set up automation rules:

  1. Go to Settings > Automation > Order Rules.
  2. Create a new rule or edit an existing one.
  3. Set the criteria for when to apply third-party billing.
  4. Add actions to set the shipping service and package type.
  5. Add an action to apply third-party billing details.
  6. Save the rule.

Important: Ensure the rule sets the shipping service and package type before applying third-party billing details.

Limitations and Considerations​

Be aware of these limitations when using third-party billing:

  • No Estimated Rates: Racko won't display estimated rates for third-party billed shipments.
  • Carrier Approval: Ensure the third-party account is approved for this billing method.
  • Returns: Return label charges default to your primary account, even if third-party billing is selected.
  • Lost or Damaged Packages: If the carrier can't charge the third-party account, you may be responsible for payment.
  • Recipient vs. Third-Party: Both options instruct the carrier to charge the entered account.

Best Practices​

  1. Verify third-party account details before creating labels.
  2. Use automation rules for consistent application of third-party billing.
  3. Communicate clearly with customers about third-party billing arrangements.
  4. Regularly review and update third-party billing rules and settings.

Troubleshooting​

If you encounter issues with third-party billing:

  1. Double-check the account number and postal code.
  2. Confirm with the account owner that the carrier has approved third-party billing.
  3. Verify that you've selected a carrier and service that supports third-party billing.
  4. Check for any error messages and refer to our Troubleshooting Guide for solutions.

For more detailed information on specific carriers or advanced shipping features, please refer to the respective sections in this documentation.