Getting FedEx Account Keys [Step-by-Step guide]

To set up a FedEx account properly in techSHIP, you’ll have request two sets of keys while going through a FedEx formal validation process. The accounts and keys involved are:

A. Test account: Used for testing purposes, prior to label validation.

B. Production account: Used by the customer as the final account.

There is information provided by FedEx as part of the Key request process, and the other part is sent to them via e-mail to the registered e-mail.

Once the labels are approved, the testing account has been tested properly, and the account has been approved, you can start using the production account.

These keys will be used for the Carrier setup and the Client information within TechShip, allowing you to enable usage of the shipping services.

Before accessing, it’s important to understand what information is provided and how in the process:

 The process is the following:

PHASE 1 - OBTAIN KEYS

To begin the process, you’ll need to access FedEx’s site with your FedEx credentials in order to request Test and Production keys. 

These keys will be used for the Carrier setup and the Client information within TechShip, allowing you to enable usage of the shipping services.

Before accessing, it’s important to understand who provides what information in the process:

YOU:

• FedEx Username and Password (which should log in here https://developer.fedex.com/api/en-us/home.html)
• FedEx Production Account number

FEDEX:

• Production Account (to you, upon keys request)
• Production Key (to you, upon keys request)
• Production Password (to the FedEx Main contact via e-mail, who should forward the FedEx e-mail to you if you're not it)

Now that you know what's the source of the full set of keys, let's review the steps to get them:

ACCESSING FEDEX WEB SERVICES PAGE

1. Click Sign Up or Log In in the side bar

2. Click Log In and enter your FedEx credentials (https://developer.fedex.com/api/en-us/home.html) with your Username and Password

1.1 GETTING THE TEST KEY

First of all: What is a Test Key? 

It's a group of values that allows us to connect to FedEx, and at this particular stage, to setup a test account in techSHIP so we can print labels, which we will need to get certified by FedEx before you can move into Production stage.

Let’s see how to get them:

1. Click My Projects

2. Click Create a Project; this project will be the source of connection on FedEx's end

3. Select the option "I work for a company that ships with FedEx and is using a third-party software solution that has requested API Keys"

4. Complete the information for the third-party information (Techdinamics) as:

• Third-party company: Techdinamics
• Third-party product: techSHIP
• Third-party product website: www.techdinamics.com

5. Press Continue to move forward

6. Check all the API Services

7. Press Next, and accept the terms clicking I Understand in the Summary 

8. Complete the Signature with your full name as indicated and check the box in agreement to the terms and conditions

9. Press I Accept to complete the process 

You will be taken to configure the project in the Project Overview screen, where you will have the information in the Test Key section:

• API Key: To be used in the Baseline setup
• Secret Key: To be used in the Baseline setup
• Shipping Account: To be used in the Baseline and Billing Account setup

1.2 GETTING THE PRODUCTION KEY

First of all: What is the Production Key? It’s the actual credential (together with more information which will be mentioned) with which TechShip will connect with the Carrier and through which you will operate.

Let’s see how to get them. Once you have created the Project and obtained the Test Keys, you'll only need to switch to the Production tab to begin the process.

The following steps include accessing the Project, but assume you're already logged in.

1. Click My Projects

2. Click the Project you created when setting up the Test Credentials

3) Switch to the Production Key tab

4) Name the API Key connection as you wish (suggested: techSHIP connection)

5) Select the FedEx account you wish to use through this connection

6) Press Next

Once the key is ready, you'll be able to access it through the Production tab:

With the keys at hand, you can move forward with the setup.

Whichever the case, in techSHIP, you will have to use the:

• Account number accordingly
• API Key at the Key field
• API Secret at the Secret/Password field