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Forge FlexRate (Rate Adjustments)

Updated

Overview

Forge FlexRate allows platform administrators to apply percentage-based or fixed-amount adjustments to carrier rates displayed to sub-accounts. This feature supports transactional revenue generation and pricing flexibility without requiring custom code or manual rate manipulation.

When enabled, rate adjustments are automatically applied to the adjusted_rate field returned in the API response. The underlying rate object remains unchanged in the response. The adjusted_rate field is included in addition to the original carrier rate.

Rate Adjustments can be configured globally (Standard FlexRate), by carrier and service level, or by additional shipment criteria such as weight, zone, and surcharges through the EasyPost Dashboard.

Prerequisites

  • A Forge account is required.
  • Admin permissions for the parent account. 
  • All sub-accounts must be enrolled under the parent account.
  • The Forge FlexRate feature must be enabled. Contact sales@easypost.com for activation details.

Understanding Adjustment Types

Forge FlexRate supports three adjustment types. The selected adjustment type determines how rules are evaluated and applied to a shipment rate.

Adjustment behavior falls into one of two categories:

  • Single-rule evaluation: Only one applicable rule is applied to the shipment rate.
  • Additive evaluation: Multiple applicable rules are applied and combined by adding their calculated adjustment amounts.

Standard Adjustment

Evaluation Type: Single-rule evaluation

A Standard Adjustment applies one rule to a shipment rate.

  • A single percentage-based or fixed-amount adjustment is configured.
  • Additional rules are ignored.

Only one adjustment is applied to the rate.

Hierarchical Adjustment

Evaluation Type: Single-rule evaluation

A Hierarchical Adjustment allows multiple rules to be configured across different levels of specificity. The system evaluates rules in order of specificity and applies only the most specific applicable rule. 

Rule precedence:

  • Service-level rule
  • Carrier-level rule
  • Global (Standard) rule

Only one rule is applied. Additional rules are not combined.

Cumulative Adjustment

Evaluation Type: Additive evaluation

A Cumulative Adjustment allows multiple rules to apply to a single shipment rate.

  • Each applicable rule is evaluated independently.
  • All applicable adjustments are added to the rate.
  • Adjustments are additive and not compounded.

Example:

  • 5% carrier adjustment
  • $2 weight-based adjustment 
  • 3% fuel surcharge adjustment

Each rule is calculated according to its defined criteria, and the resulting adjustments are added together to produce the final adjusted_rate.

Adding a Rate Adjustment

  1. Log in to the EasyPost Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Sub Accounts.
  3. In the Additional Settings section on the right, select FlexRate.
  4. When prompted with “Do you want the Sub Accounts to manage their own carrier accounts?”, select Enable to return adjusted rates in the API response.
  5. The following options are available: 
    Standard Adjustment: Only the single most specific applicable rule is applied.
    Cumulative Adjustment: All applicable rules that match the shipment criteria are calculated and added together.
    Hierarchical Adjustment: The most specific applicable rule is applied according to service → carrier → global precedence. 
    1. Enter the FlexRate Adjustment Name.
    2. Select a FlexRate Adjustment Type.
    3. Enter a percentage or dollar amount.
    4. Select Save FlexRate Adjustment.

       

Adjustments by Carrier Account and Service: Applies an adjustment based on carrier and service level.

  1. Select Adjustments by Carrier Account and Service. 
  2. Choose a carrier from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select the applicable service.
  4. Enter an adjustment percentage or dollar amount, then select Add Markup again to create additional entries.
  5. Select Save FlexRate Adjustment.

     

Note: Both Standard FlexRate (global) and carrier/service-based adjustments can exist at the same time. When multiple rules are configured, Forge FlexRate automatically determines which adjustment to apply based on rule specificity.

Additional Adjustment Criteria

Forge Flexrate supports rule configuration based on additional shipment attributes.

Weight-Based Adjustments

Adjustments may be applied based on shipment weight. 

  • Configure a dollar-based or percentage-based adjustment
  • Define weight thresholds or ranges.
  • Applies when shipment weight meets the defined criteria.

Example

  • Add $2 for shipments under 16 ounces.
  • Add 5% for shipments over a specified weight threshold.

USPS Zone-Based Adjustments

Adjustments may be applied based on USPS shipping zones.

  • Configure a dollar-based or percentage-based adjustment.
  • Define applicable USPS zones or zone ranges.
  • Applies when the shipment zone matches the configured range.

Example

  • Add $2 for shipments between Zones 1-7. 

Surcharge-Based Adjustments

Adjustments may be applied to supported surcharge types. Supported surcharge categories include:

  • Service Area Adjustment (DAS)
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Handling surcharge
  • Signature surcharge

Each surcharge adjustment may be configured as:

  • Fixed dollar amount
  • Percentage-based adjustment

These rules apply when the corresponding surcharge is present in the carrier rate.

How Rate Adjustments are Applied

When a shipment rate is generated, Forge FlexRate determines which adjustment to apply using a defined order of precedence. The system applies only one adjustment – the single most specific rule available. Adjustments are not stacked or compounded. 

Rule Application Behavior

The selectee adjustment type determines how matching rules are applied. 

Standard Adjustment

Only the single most specific applicable rule is applied.

Hierarchical Adjustment

The most specific applicable rule is applied according to service → carrier → global precedence. 

Cumulative Adjustment

All applicable rules that match the shipment criteria are calculated and added together.

Rate Response with FlexRate

Once a rate adjustment is configured in the dashboard, the API response includes an additional field showing the adjusted rate.

The adjusted_rate field represents the rate returned to sub-accounts after the markup is applied.
 

 "base_rate": {
            "object": "BaseRate",
            "amount": "181.81",
            "list_amount": null,
            "retail_amount": null,
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "adjusted_rate": "200.45",
        "adjusted_rate_currency": "USD"
    }

 

Note: The adjusted_rate field is only returned when Forge FlexRate is enabled, and an adjustment has been configured.

Currency Support

Forge FlexRate currently applies adjustments only to carrier rates returned in USD.

If a carrier returns rates in a currency other than USD, FlexRate does not apply pricing adjustments. In these cases, the adjusted_rate field is still included in the API response but contains the same value as the original carrier rate.

The underlying base_rate object in the response remains unchanged.

Removing a Rate Adjustment

  1. Select the Edit icon within the FlexRate menu.
  2. Select the adjustment method used (Standard or Specific Carrier Adjustment).
  3. Select the trash can icon in the upper-right corner of the rate adjustment area.
  4. Select Save Rules to apply all changes.

Modify Existing Rules

  1. Select the Edit icon within the FlexRate menu.
  2. Select the adjustment method used (Standard or Specific Carrier Adjustment).
  3. Choose the rule to update.
  4. Make any necessary changes or delete the rule.
  5. Select Save Rules again to confirm updates.

Best Practices

  • Begin with a small adjustment percentage (e.g., 1-2%) to validate configuration results.
  • Test each adjustment type (Standard, Hierarchical, Cumulative) in a controlled environment before applying changes to production traffic.
  • Verify the adjusted_rate field appears in shipment responses during testing.
  • Use descriptive naming conventions when configuring rules to improve internal auditability. 
  • When using Hierarchical Adjustment, ensure service-level rules are reviewed carefully to prevent unintended overrides. 
  • When using Cumulative Adjustment, calculate the potential combined impact to prevent excessive markup.
  • Review adjustment settings regularly to align with business objectives and cost structures.
  • Avoid combining automated rate adjustments with custom-coded adjustments.

FAQs

Q: Can different adjustments be applied to each sub-account?

Yes. Unique adjustments can be configured for each sub-account within the FlexRate settings.

Q: Does the feature change the rate paid to the carrier?

No. The adjustment affects only the rates displayed to sub-accounts. EasyPost billing remains based on the unmodified carrier rate.

Q: What is the default adjustment value? 

All new accounts default to a 0% adjustment.

Q: What happens if multiple rules match a shipment?

The outcome depends on the selected adjustment type:

  • Standard Adjustment: Only the most specific rule is applied.
  • Hierarchical Adjustment: The most specific rule is applied according to service → carrier → global precedence.
  • Cumulative Adjustment: All applicable rules are calculated and added together. 

Q: Can a shipment return the original rate even if FlexRate is enabled?

Yes. If no configured rule matches the shipment criteria, the original unadjusted rate is returned.

Q: Can adjustments result in negative rates? 

Adjustments should be configured carefully. Negative adjustments may reduce displayed rates and could result in unintended pricing outcomes.

Additional Resources

Forge Centralized Guide

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