Overview
Forge provides a sub-account management tool that enables platforms and marketplaces to create, manage, and configure customer accounts with flexibility and control.
Each sub-account represents a business or customer that accesses a platform's services through Forge. The Sub Account page provides centralized oversight for account configuration, carrier management, pricing controls, and operational settings.
Prerequisites
- A Forge-enabled EasyPost account.
- Administrative access to the Forge Dashboard.
- Selection of an implementation option (Centralized - Self-Managed Billing or Decentralized - EasyPost-Managed Billing)
- Production API access for programmatic sub-account creation (if applicable).
Sub Account Features
Marketplaces and software platforms use Forge to provide end-to-end shipping functionality and manage customer accounts through the Sub Account tool.
- Onboarding: Create sub-accounts using the Sub Account "Create" end-user flow.
- Account Management: Manage sub-account details, including business name, address, phone number, and email.
- Carrier Management: Manage sub-account carriers associated with each user.
- Pricing Controls (FlexRate): Apply rate adjustments globally, by carrier and service, or by shipment attributes such as weight, zone, and surcharge type.
- Sub Account Groups: Organize sub-accounts into defined groups to apply shared FlexRate configurations and pricing strategies at scale.
- Parcel & API Analytics: Access parcel data such as shipping spend, label volume, and API performance.
- Branding: Manage sub-account branded tracking page for a customized experience.
- API Keys: Securely manage API Keys for end users.
- Advanced Shipping (Optional): Enable white-labeled shipping interfaces (such as ShipBlink integrations) for sub-accounts where supported.
Sub Account Types
Forge supports multiple sub-account structures, allowing platforms to determine how postage, fees, and carrier charges are handled. The chosen implementation determines the sub-account type, each with distinct onboarding APIs and capabilities. Platforms can choose to have either sub-accounts pay for their own shipping activity or manage all shipping costs centrally.
Decentralized: Sub Accounts Pay
In the Decentralized option:
- Sub-accounts maintain their own billing relationships with EasyPost.
- Carrier charges are billed directly to the sub-account.
- The platform does not assume financial liability for shipping activity.
The designated sub-account type for this option is the ReferralCustomer. This option shifts billing responsibility to the sub-account.
Centralized: Platform Pays
In the Centralized option:
- All shipping activity routes through platform-owned carrier accounts.
- Billing flows through the platform’s Wallet and billing methods.
- The platform may apply pricing adjustments and retain margin.
- Sub Account Groups may be used to segment pricing strategies across defined groups of Child Users.
- The platform assumes responsibility for account balance management.
The designated sub-account type for this option is the Child User.
This option enables:
- Centralized billing control
- Rate adjustment configuration (FlexRate)
- Sub-account pricing segmentation
- Margin management
Best Practices
- Select the sub-account option (Centralized or Decentralized) based on financial risk tolerance and desired pricing control.
- Use Sub Account Groups to segment pricing strategies rather than configuring accounts individually.
- Securely store and manage API keys for all sub-accounts.
- When using the Centralized option, monitor Wallet balances to prevent service interruptions.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a Child User and ReferralCustomer?
A Child User is used in the Centralized option, where the platform manages billing and carrier charges. A ReferralCustomer is used in the Decentralized option, where the sub-account maintains its own billing.
Q: Can different pricing strategies be applied to different sub-accounts?
Yes. FlexRate and Sub Account Groups allow pricing rules to be applied globally, per account, or per defined group.
Q: Do Sub Account Groups affect billing?
Sub Account Groups affect pricing configuration and rule application. Billing behavior is determined by the selected implementation option.
Q: How do Sub Account Groups affect pricing rules?
Sub Account Groups introduce an intermediate pricing scope. When evaluating rates, Forge applies rules in the following order: user-specific, group-level, then global.
Additional Resources
Centralized (Self-Managed Billing) Guide