> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://shipmagic-docs.speedysquirrelhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Direct Freight Express

> Show live Direct Freight Express rates, including pallet and skid freight

Direct Freight Express is an Australian freight carrier. The integration supports both parcel and pallet-scale consignments, which makes it the right choice for heavy or oversized goods that a parcel carrier won't take.

## Getting credentials

Direct Freight Express provides an **API Key** and your **Account Number** through your account manager or their customer portal.

## Setting up the rate

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a rate to your zone">
    In your rule, click **Add rate** on the zone you want.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the calculation parameter to Direct Freight Express">
    Choose it under the live carrier options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your credentials">
    Fill in **API Key** and **Account Number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Rate Type">
    Select the consignment type — including **Pallet** and **Skid** options for freight-scale orders.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Decide on fuel levy">
    Tick **Fuel Levy Charges** to add the fuel levy to the final delivery cost.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure packaging">
    Set **Packaging box distribution** and define your boxes or pallets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a default rate">
    **Default rate** is used if Direct Freight Express doesn't respond.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Fuel Levy Charges

Freight carriers bill a fuel levy on top of the base rate, and it moves with fuel prices.

<Warning>
  Leave **Fuel Levy Charges** unticked and the quote your customer sees excludes a charge you will be billed for. On freight consignments the levy is a meaningful percentage, not a rounding error.

  Tick it unless you have a deliberate reason to absorb the cost.
</Warning>

## Pallets and skids

Setting **Rate Type** to a pallet or skid option changes what ShipMagic quotes for — a pallet consignment rather than a set of cartons.

Pallet configuration asks for the pallet's **Length**, **Width**, and a **Max Pallet Height**. Items are distributed onto pallets up to that height.

<Tip>
  If you sell both small parcels and pallet-scale goods, split them across two rules with a product condition — for example on [product weight or dimensions](/cart) — so each consignment type is quoted correctly.
</Tip>

## Always set a Default rate

<Warning>
  If the carrier is unavailable and no default rate is set, the customer sees no shipping option and cannot complete checkout. This matters more on freight, where a failed quote can lose a high-value order.
</Warning>

## Testing

1. Add products with accurate weights and dimensions
2. Check out to a real Australian address, using a fresh address each time
3. Test both a small cart and one large enough to trigger pallet rating
4. Confirm the fuel levy is included if you enabled it

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Packing algorithm" icon="box-taped" href="/shipping-rates/types-of-rates/carrier-rates/3-d-boxing-algorithm">
    Box and pallet distribution methods.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adding dimensions" icon="ruler-combined" href="/adding-dimensions-to-products">
    Dimension data that freight quotes depend on.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Australia Post" icon="truck-fast" href="/australia-post">
    The parcel-scale Australian option.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bulky items" icon="couch" href="/offer-different-rates-for-bulky-items">
    Routing oversized goods to a freight rate.
  </Card>
</Columns>


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