Commerce7 and Vinoshipper integration guide

On this page

• Overview
• Understanding how the integration works
• Prerequisites
• Setting Up the API Integration
• Order matching
• Fees
• Understanding the shipping rate structure
• Setting up shipping rates
• FAQs

Overview

The Commerce7 and Vinoshipper integration connects the two systems, allowing Commerce7 users to leverage Vinoshipper's sales tax calculations, compliance checks, and shipping services while continuing to manage their storefront in Commerce7.

To learn more about Vinoshipper and our services please visit Vinoshipper.com

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Understanding how the integration works

Understanding how Commerce7 and Vinoshipper interact can help clarify which platform manages each part of the order process.

Order flow overview

1. Customer places an order in Commerce7. The customer shops on your website and completes checkout using the Commerce7 cart. 
2. Commerce7 sends the order to Vinoshipper. The order data is transmitted through the API integration.
3. Vinoshipper performs compliance checks. This includes: age verification, state shipping rules, buyer volume limits, Zip Code restrictions, alcohol tax calculations. 
4. Vinoshipper generates the shipping label and packing slip. The tracking number is then sent back to Commerce7.

Commerce7 manages

• Website storefront
• Checkout experience
• Customer notifications
• Product catalog display
• Shipping rates shown to customers

Vinoshipper manages:

• Compliance checks
• Tax calculations
• Shipping label and packing slip generation
• Carrier integration with UPS

Important: If an order appears in Commerce7 but not in Vinoshipper, the most common cause is a SKU mismatch between the two systems. 

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Prerequisites

Before beginning the integration, please ensure the following requirements are met. 

1. You must have an active accounts with both platforms.
   • Vinoshipper
   • Commerce7
2. Your products are uploaded and approved in both Vinoshipper and Commerce7.
   Important: The Product SKUs in your Vinoshipper and Commerce7 accounts must match exactly. This is crucial for accurate order matching across both systems. SKU mismatches will cause orders to fail. Best practice is to copy and paste SKUs directly from Commerce7 into Vinoshipper.
3. An ACH form is required to be on file with Vinoshipper prior to transactions being processed.

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Setting Up the API Integration

1. Log in to your Vinoshipper account.
2. Select Account, in the top navigation bar.
3. Click Integrations and select API Keys.  
4. Generate and save an API key:
   1. Click on the Create New Key.
   2. Save the API Key and Secret Key in a secure place as you will need to provide them to Commerce7 for the integration to be complete.
5. Provide API key and secret key to Commerce7.
6. Follow the installations instructions provided by Commerce7: Installation Steps

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Order matching

For the integration to function, it is essential to have the identical SKU ID’s and product information in Commerce7 and Vinoshipper. The following guidelines should be adhered to: 

1. SKU consistency: Ensure all SKUs in Commerce7 are identical to the SKUs in Vinoshipper. Any discrepancies in SKU will cause the order to fail. Please copy and paste the SKUs directly from your Commerce7 account.
2. Product information: Regularly update product information, such as pricing and availability, in both Commerce7 and Vinoshipper. This will ensure that customers receive accurate product details regardless of which platform is being used. 
3. Inventory: Set starting inventory for products in both Commerce7 and Vinoshipper to the same level.  

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Fees

Vinoshipper fees are withdrawn from your bank account via ACH debit once per month. For existing Vinoshipper clients, fees may be netted off the funds payable to you when available. The balance being debited to your account.

Commerce7 fees

• Commerce7 charges monthly platform fees according to your Commerce7 agreement. 

Vinoshipper fees

• In-state transactions or transactions where the producer is the permit holder:
  • 1.85% of product selling price + $0.75/unit
  • 2.9% credit card fee (only applies when using Vinoshipper directly. Does not apply to orders from a 3rd party integration)
• Vinoshipper licensed states (Trademark Production Agreement)
  • 9.75% + $0.75/unit

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Understanding the shipping rate structure

When using the Commerce7 integration, it is important to understand how shipping rates are applied. 

Commerce7 shipping rates

• Customers are charged based on the the shipping rates configured in Commerce7.
• These rates are not generated by Vinoshipper.

Vinoshipper shipping rates

• Vinoshipper charges your account using live UPS rates

Shipping margin example

• If you charge the customer $25 for shipping and the UPS cost is $20, you retain $5.
• If you charge the customer $15 for shipping and the UPS cost is $20, you absorb the $5 difference.
• For this reason, shipping rates should be reviewed periodically.

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Setting up shipping rates

• After installing the Vinoshipper app in Commerce7, you will be able to select the states that you would like orders to flow into Vinoshipper under the App Settings tab.
• Then within the Commerce7 Settings you will need to review your Operating Countries, when looking at the United States you will want to ensure that all states you will be shipping to are listed. 
• You will then create Shipping Zones.

Shipping Zones

Vinoshipper shipping estimator

1. Login to your Vinoshipper account and navigate to Help > Estimate Shipping (link provided for full instructions)
2. This tool shows live UPS shipping costs based on order size and destination.
3. Use this tool to create shipping zones in Commerce7. Examples of shipping zones are: Pacific Northwest, North, California, Southwest, Midwest, South, Southeast and Northeast. You can set up as many shipping zones as you would like.

Configure your shipping zones in Commerce7

1. Navigate to Settings > Shipping.
2. Click Add Shipping Zone.
3. Group the states that will be offered in this zone by clicking Edit next to United States.
4. Add Shipping Method.
5. Title the Shipping Method, e.g. Ground Shipping, Choose UPS as the Carrier, assign the Service, and use our Code. Correct codes are required for the integration to work properly, list of correct codes are below.
   
   

   Title	Carrier	Code
   UPS Next Day Air	UPS	01
   UPS 2nd Day Air	UPS	02
   UPS Ground	UPS	03
   UPS 3 Day Select	UPS	12

   
   
6. Toggle on Active.
7. Set your rate by weight.
8. Save Shipping Method.

For detailed instructions please see the Commerce7 Setting up Shipping page.

Important: The shipping rates configured in Commerce7 are determined by the producer. Vinoshipper is not responsible for margin differences between the rate charged to the customer in Commerce7 and the UPS rate charged by Vinoshipper. We recommend reviewing your shipping margins periodically.

Packaging fees

If you charge packaging fees, such as a $5 packaging fee you may include the cost in your Commerce7 shipping rates or create a separate item in Commerce7.

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Commerce7 Integration FAQs