When looking to set up a new account with Direct Couriers you will just need to set up the specific options below:

Account Code - The account code would have been provided to you when your account was set up. 

Consignment Prefix - The consignment prefix should be your Account Code. 

Reference Pools - Reference pools are utilised by MachShip in order to maintain a count on the connote, manifest and item numbers. The reference pool will ensure that each of those numbers is unique to what we have sent to the carrier previously. More information can be obtained on reference pools here. Direct Couriers requires the creation of just 1 reference pool, for the Connote number.

To create the reference pool select the Create Carrier Reference Pool button at the bottom of the page. 

If you are creating a new account then the Reference Pools will be set to the following fields:

Pool Name - Set as Direct Couriers Connote Ref Pool <Account Code> 
Minimum Value - 1
Maximum Value - 999999 (that is six 9's)
Next Value -  1
Cyclical - No

It will appear as below:

Once created it will appear in the drop-down as below:

Should you already be trading on an existing account please set the next available field as 1000 consignments higher than the highest connote number on your previous account. 

Ratecard:

Direct Couriers are configured to price off the Carriers System and as such you will need to extract and upload the ratecard in the below format. This will contain all the available services for the Direct Couriers local movements. 

Notes:

1. Set your Account Code in the Ratecard Section

2. Please set the from zone and to zone as being one of:
SYD_METRO
MEL_METRO
BNE_METRO
PER_METRO
ADL_METRO

This will be set off the state your account is based in. 

Carrier	Ratecard	Service	From Zone	To Zone	Reciprocal	Cubic Conversion	Basic	Minimum	Break Type	Item Type	Break From	Break To	Price
DIRECT		C	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T1	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T12	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T2	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T20	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T3	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T4	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T6	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		T8	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XC	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XT1	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XT2	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XT3	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XT4	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XT6	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0
DIRECT		XXX	SYD_METRO	SYD_METRO	N	0	0	0	WEIGHT		0		0

Test:

Once the account has been set up and all of the rates have been added, you will need to run a test to ensure that upon go-live, everything will run successfully. To do this, create a job- please make Reference 1 and Reference 2 and the delivery special instructions THIS IS A TEST. Once this has been created it will be booked in with the carrier. 

If you receive a successful manifest message from MachShip then please send an email to the Direct Couriers Team and advise them that you are starting to despatch your Direct Couriers account through MachShip and that you would like to receive verification on the test file and permission to start to trade.

Please include the job number and request that they should cancel this to ensure that you are not charged. Please cc integrations@machship.com on this email so we can help if required. 

On confirmation from the support team that the setup is validated, you are free to begin to consign. 

Troubleshooting: Rates Not Returning or $0.00 Charges

If you're seeing $0.00 charges or 'No Prices Found' errors when creating shipments from a location that should be covered by Direct Couriers:

1. Verify Zone Configuration on Carrier Side: The zone (e.g., MEL_METRO for Melbourne) must be configured not only in your MachShip ratecard but also on Direct Couriers' account. Even if your ratecard shows the correct zone, Direct Couriers' API will only return pricing if that zone is active on your account with them.

2. Check Your Account with Direct Couriers: Contact Direct Couriers directly (support@directcouriers.com.au or your account manager) and confirm:
Your account is set up with the required zone (e.g., MEL_METRO for Victoria shipments)
The zone is active and enabled for your account
Your account is configured for API pricing (real-time quote-and-response)

3. Verify Origin Location Matches Zone: Ensure the pickup suburb is correctly assigned to the zone you're using. For example, Epping, VIC should map to MEL_METRO zone. If the suburb is not in the zone mapping, Direct Couriers' API won't return rates.

4. Test After Carrier Confirmation: Once Direct Couriers confirms the zone is active on their end, create a test shipment from the affected location using the same parameters as before. Rates should now flow through the API.

5. API Pricing Behavior: Remember that Direct Couriers uses API pricing, meaning they return real-time quotes via their API. If they return a price, they cover that area. If no price is returned, it typically means the zone is not configured on their account for your location.