To define a new zone, click the + New Geo Area button in the top-right corner.
1. Basic Information
- Active: Keep this checked to ensure the area is selectable in your quotations and shipments.
- Name (Required): The display name users will see (e.g., "Western Germany" or "Paris 50km Radius").
- Code (Required): A unique shorthand identifier.
- Note: If you import rates from Excel, ensure this Code matches the code used in your spreadsheets.
- Group By (Required): This is the most important setting. It tells the system how to "look up" a location. Options include Country, State, City, Address, ZIP Code, or Coordinate Distance.
Important: The configuration options that appear at the bottom of the form will change depending on which "Group By" method you select.
2. Defining the Zone (Based on "Group By" Selection)
Option A: Adding Geographic ZIP Codes
If you set your Group By to ZIP Code (the most common method), you must define the specific ranges that belong to this area.
- Scroll to the Geographic ZIP Codes section.
- Click + New Geo Area ZIP Code.
- Select the Country.
- Enter the ZIP From and ZIP To values to create a range.
Pro Tip: A single Geo Area can contain multiple ranges. For example, a "Border Zone" area could include one range of ZIP codes from the Netherlands and another range from Germany.
Option B: Adding a Coordinate Distance (Radius)
If you set your Group By to Coordinate Distance, the system allows you to define a circular delivery zone radiating from a specific GPS point. This is highly useful for last-mile delivery or port-drayage zones.
Instead of ZIP codes, you will need to fill out the following fields:
- Latitude & Longitude: The exact GPS coordinates of the central point (e.g., your warehouse or a seaport).
- Distance Unit: Select whether the radius will be measured in km or miles.
- Country: The country where this central point is located.
- Radius: The numerical distance from the central coordinates that defines the outer edge of the zone (e.g., entering "50" with a unit of "km" creates a 50km delivery radius).
Bulk Importing Geo Areas
If you are setting up hundreds of delivery zones at once, manual entry isn't necessary. Use the Import GeoAreas button at the top of the list to upload your data via a CSV or Excel template.
Best Practices for Geo Areas
- Naming Conventions: Use consistent names, such as starting with the country code or the radius type (e.g., "DE - Bavaria" or "US - LAX 50mi"). This makes the search function much more effective.
- Deactivating vs. Deleting: If you no longer use a specific delivery zone, uncheck the Active box instead of deleting it. This preserves your historical data while removing the zone from current selection menus.
- Match your Rates: Ensure the "Group By" setting matches how your carriers provide their rate data. If they charge by city, group by City; if they charge by postal code, group by ZIP Code.
[!WARNING] Before Deleting: Always verify that a Geo Area is not currently linked to an active Rate Agreement or Surcharge. Deleting an area used in an active contract may cause pricing errors.