GLS

Carrier-specific setup for GLS in Shipping Labels.

Purpose

This page describes the GLS-specific setup in Shipping Labels. The main topics are service type selection, delivery-time promise, credentials, URL assignment, and the parcel-size limits that belong to the chosen GLS scenario.

Prerequisites

  • The shared Shipping Labels setup is complete.
  • GLS credentials and the correct test or productive endpoint are available.
  • The business scenario is clear about whether a standard parcel or an express scenario is required.
  • Item or fallback package weight is available.
  1. Assign GLS credentials and URL.
  2. Choose the service type.
  3. Maintain express delivery time if the express service is used.
  4. Maintain parcel limits and fallback package weight.
  5. Validate one realistic request with the chosen service type.

Setup components

Start with the GLS service decision

The key business decision in GLS is whether the setup represents a regular parcel flow or an express flow. If Express is chosen, the delivery-time commitment becomes part of the setup. If Parcel is chosen, that additional time promise is not required in the same way.

In practice, this means that Parcel usually follows the normal daytime delivery window and does not require a separate target time. With Express, the promised time becomes part of the product itself, so the delivery time should be chosen explicitly and maintained in line with the service contract.

Maintain credentials and URL as one technical unit

The GLS setup uses the carrier credentials together with the environment URL. Maintain these values together and keep the test and productive environments separate.

Keep parcel limits aligned to the actual GLS agreement

The setup should include the relevant parcel limits such as maximum package length, maximum girth, and fallback package weight. These values should reflect the actual GLS agreement and not only a theoretical maximum.

Use fallback weight only as a backup

If item weight is maintained in the item master, it overrides the fallback weight on the GLS setup. This keeps the actual request closer to the shipped item data.

Process Important GLS notes GLS setup stays compact, but service type and parcel limits must still match the intended shipment.
  • Decide first between Parcel and Express.
  • Maintain the promised delivery time only when the Express setup uses it.
  • Keep test and productive credentials and URLs separate.
  • Use item weight where available and fallback weight only as a backup.

Links

Further Information

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