Fedex Rate API Request

Question

I need to create a simple webpage that gets rate quotes from FedEx. Only thing is, I've never messed with an API before.

The XML is easy, but how do I send that XML to FedEx and view the response? API Request... Yes I know, but what is the code for an API request to FedEx? I just need some guidance. I know PHP to an extent - but, I'm no expert.

I understand that I need to send an API request but I need a simple working example using PHP. I want to be able to input my account information and then have a simple working rate quote.

I don't care if it only returns the simplest data. I just need to have something to get me started.

It seems as if FedEx only goes so far in providing information for doing this with PHP.

Solution

fedex offers acceleration packages in www.fedex.com/us/developer/ , you will find information about different types of calls to their webservices. as an example if you want to request a rate from fedex you will need to do something like this:

<?php

require_once('../../library/fedex-common.php5');

$newline = "<br />";
//The WSDL is not included with the sample code.
//Please include and reference in $path_to_wsdl variable.
$path_to_wsdl = "../../wsdl/RateService_v13.wsdl";

ini_set("soap.wsdl_cache_enabled", "0");

$client = new SoapClient($path_to_wsdl, array('trace' => 1)); // Refer to http://us3.php.net/manual/en/ref.soap.php for more information

$request['WebAuthenticationDetail'] = array(
    'UserCredential' =>array(
        'Key' => getProperty('key'), 
        'Password' => getProperty('password')
    )
); 
$request['ClientDetail'] = array(
    'AccountNumber' => getProperty('shipaccount'), 
    'MeterNumber' => getProperty('meter')
);
$request['TransactionDetail'] = array('CustomerTransactionId' => ' *** Rate Request v13 using PHP ***');
$request['Version'] = array(
    'ServiceId' => 'crs', 
    'Major' => '13', 
    'Intermediate' => '0', 
    'Minor' => '0'
);
$request['ReturnTransitAndCommit'] = true;
$request['RequestedShipment']['DropoffType'] = 'REGULAR_PICKUP'; // valid values REGULAR_PICKUP, REQUEST_COURIER, ...
$request['RequestedShipment']['ShipTimestamp'] = date('c');
$request['RequestedShipment']['ServiceType'] = 'INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY'; // valid values STANDARD_OVERNIGHT, PRIORITY_OVERNIGHT, FEDEX_GROUND, ...
$request['RequestedShipment']['PackagingType'] = 'YOUR_PACKAGING'; // valid values FEDEX_BOX, FEDEX_PAK, FEDEX_TUBE, YOUR_PACKAGING, ...
$request['RequestedShipment']['TotalInsuredValue']=array('Ammount'=>100,'Currency'=>'USD');
$request['RequestedShipment']['Shipper'] = addShipper();
$request['RequestedShipment']['Recipient'] = addRecipient();
$request['RequestedShipment']['ShippingChargesPayment'] = addShippingChargesPayment();
$request['RequestedShipment']['RateRequestTypes'] = 'ACCOUNT'; 
$request['RequestedShipment']['RateRequestTypes'] = 'LIST'; 
$request['RequestedShipment']['PackageCount'] = '1';
$request['RequestedShipment']['RequestedPackageLineItems'] = addPackageLineItem1();
try 
{
    if(setEndpoint('changeEndpoint'))
    {
        $newLocation = $client->__setLocation(setEndpoint('endpoint'));
    }

    $response = $client ->getRates($request);

    if ($response -> HighestSeverity != 'FAILURE' && $response -> HighestSeverity != 'ERROR')
    {   
        $rateReply = $response -> RateReplyDetails;
        echo '<table border="1">';
        echo '<tr><td>Service Type</td><td>Amount</td><td>Delivery Date</td></tr><tr>';
        $serviceType = '<td>'.$rateReply -> ServiceType . '</td>';
        $amount = '<td>$' . number_format($rateReply->RatedShipmentDetails[0]->ShipmentRateDetail->TotalNetCharge->Amount,2,".",",") . '</td>';
        if(array_key_exists('DeliveryTimestamp',$rateReply)){
            $deliveryDate= '<td>' . $rateReply->DeliveryTimestamp . '</td>';
        }else if(array_key_exists('TransitTime',$rateReply)){
            $deliveryDate= '<td>' . $rateReply->TransitTime . '</td>';
        }else {
            $deliveryDate='<td>&nbsp;</td>';
        }
        echo $serviceType . $amount. $deliveryDate;
        echo '</tr>';
        echo '</table>';

        printSuccess($client, $response);
    }
    else
    {
        printError($client, $response);
    } 

    writeToLog($client);    // Write to log file   

} catch (SoapFault $exception) {
   printFault($exception, $client);        
}

function addShipper(){
    $shipper = array(
        'Contact' => array(
            'PersonName' => 'Sender Name',
            'CompanyName' => 'Sender Company Name',
            'PhoneNumber' => '9012638716'),
        'Address' => array(
            'StreetLines' => array('Address Line 1'),
            'City' => 'Collierville',
            'StateOrProvinceCode' => 'TN',
            'PostalCode' => '38017',
            'CountryCode' => 'US')
    );
    return $shipper;
}
function addRecipient(){
    $recipient = array(
        'Contact' => array(
            'PersonName' => 'Recipient Name',
            'CompanyName' => 'Company Name',
            'PhoneNumber' => '9012637906'
        ),
        'Address' => array(
            'StreetLines' => array('Address Line 1'),
            'City' => 'Richmond',
            'StateOrProvinceCode' => 'BC',
            'PostalCode' => 'V7C4V4',
            'CountryCode' => 'CA',
            'Residential' => false)
    );
    return $recipient;                                      
}
function addShippingChargesPayment(){
    $shippingChargesPayment = array(
        'PaymentType' => 'SENDER', // valid values RECIPIENT, SENDER and THIRD_PARTY
        'Payor' => array(
            'ResponsibleParty' => array(
            'AccountNumber' => getProperty('billaccount'),
            'CountryCode' => 'US')
        )
    );
    return $shippingChargesPayment;
}
function addLabelSpecification(){
    $labelSpecification = array(
        'LabelFormatType' => 'COMMON2D', // valid values COMMON2D, LABEL_DATA_ONLY
        'ImageType' => 'PDF',  // valid values DPL, EPL2, PDF, ZPLII and PNG
        'LabelStockType' => 'PAPER_7X4.75');
    return $labelSpecification;
}
function addSpecialServices(){
    $specialServices = array(
        'SpecialServiceTypes' => array('COD'),
        'CodDetail' => array(
            'CodCollectionAmount' => array('Currency' => 'USD', 'Amount' => 150),
            'CollectionType' => 'ANY')// ANY, GUARANTEED_FUNDS
    );
    return $specialServices; 
}
function addPackageLineItem1(){
    $packageLineItem = array(
        'SequenceNumber'=>1,
        'GroupPackageCount'=>1,
        'Weight' => array(
            'Value' => 50.0,
            'Units' => 'LB'
        ),
        'Dimensions' => array(
            'Length' => 108,
            'Width' => 5,
            'Height' => 5,
            'Units' => 'IN'
        )
    );
    return $packageLineItem;
}

?>

so go to fedex.com, download wsdl or xml with library and more. run this code and you will receive a quote. important to say that you need an account to access that area, where you will receive a test meter-account to try, and then move to production.. hope it helps.