Initial Setup

This guide walks you through the step-by-step setup of the GLS Connector in Business Central.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you will need:

[ ] GLS business customer contract with API access (ShipIT)
[ ] Username and password for the GLS ShipIT API
[ ] Contact ID (assigned during GLS registration)
[ ] Shipper address for the shipping labels

GLS ShipIT API Access

You can obtain API access through your GLS account manager. The credentials consist of a username and a password for HTTP Basic Authentication — no API key or OAuth.

Step 1: Open the Setup Page

There are two ways:

Option A — Via Search:

Press ++alt+q++ or click the magnifying glass in the menu bar
Search for "GLS Shipment Setup"
Open the setup page

Option B — Via the Dashboard:

Open the merchantCENTRAL Dashboard
Navigate to Shipping Carriers → GLS

Step 2: Enter API Credentials

API Base URL

The URL is set automatically:

Mode	URL
Sandbox	`https://shipit-wbm-sandbox01.gls-group.eu:443/backend/rs`
Production	Provided by GLS after activation

Start with Sandbox

Enable Sandbox Mode first to safely test the setup. The sandbox URL is automatically filled in.

Enter Credentials

Field	Input	Example
Sandbox Mode	✅ enable (for testing)	✅
Basic Auth User	GLS API username	`2761234567_API`
Basic Auth Password	GLS API password	`********`

Secure Storage

Username and password are stored encrypted in IsolatedStorage — not as plain text in the database. After entry, you will only see ***.

Step 3: Enter Contact ID

Field	Input	Example
Contact ID	Your GLS Shipper ID	`2761234567`

The Contact ID is your GLS customer number and is assigned during registration. It identifies you as the shipper to GLS.

Step 4: Test the Connection

Click the Test Connection action (in the menu bar at the top)
The connector sends a test request to the GLS AllowedServices endpoint
On success, a success message appears
On failure, an error message with details is shown

No Health Endpoint

GLS does not provide a dedicated health-check endpoint. The connection test uses the AllowedServices endpoint as a proxy instead. If it responds, the connection is active.

Step 5: Configure Shipper Address

Fill in the shipper address completely. This will be printed as the sender on every label.

Field	Required	Example
Shipper Name 1	✅	`ALTENBRAND Datentechnik GmbH`
Shipper Name 2	Optional	`Shipping Dept.`
Shipper Name 3	Optional
Shipper Street	✅	`Industriestraße`
Shipper Street No.	✅	`5`
Shipper ZIP Code	✅	`91126`
Shipper City	✅	`Schwabach`
Shipper Country Code	✅	`DE`
Shipper Contact Person	Recommended	`Max Mustermann`
Shipper Email	Recommended	`versand@example.com`
Shipper Phone	Recommended	`+49 9122 123456`

ISO-2 Country Codes

GLS uses ISO alpha-2 country codes (e.g., DE, AT, FR). This is the standard in Business Central — no conversion is needed. However, note that DHL uses ISO alpha-3 (e.g., DEU).

Step 6: Set Default Settings

Product

Choose the default product that will be preselected when creating new labels:

Product	Description	Max. Weight
GLS Parcel	BusinessParcel – the standard for parcels	31.5 kg
GLS Express	ExpressParcel – fast delivery	31.5 kg
GLS Freight	General cargo – heavy/bulky goods	Variable

Recommendation

For most use cases, GLS Parcel is the right choice.

Weight

Field	Description	Example
Default Weight (kg)	Default weight in kilograms	`1.000`

The default weight is used when no weight is specified during label creation. GLS expects the weight as a decimal number in kilograms (e.g., 0.500 for 500 g).

Maximum Weight

The maximum is 31.5 kg per parcel. Heavier shipments must be sent as GLS Freight (general cargo).

Label Format

Format	Description	When to use?
PDF	PDF file	Standard for PC printers
PNG	Image file	Alternative to PDF
Zebra (ZPL)	Zebra Programming Language	For Zebra thermal printers

Template Set (ZPL only)

Template	Description
None	Standard (PDF/PNG) — no template needed
ZPL 200 dpi	Zebra template for 200 dpi printers
ZPL 300 dpi	Zebra template for 300 dpi printers

Template Set for Zebra only

The Template Set is only relevant when you have selected the label format Zebra (ZPL). For PDF and PNG, this field is ignored.

Incoterm Code

Set the default Incoterm for international shipments:

Code	Meaning
`10`	DDP — Delivered Duty Paid (seller pays customs)
`20`	DAP — Delivered at Place (buyer pays customs)
`30`	EXW — Ex Works (buyer bears all costs)

Step 7: Customs Settings (optional)

If you ship internationally, configure the default export type:

Export Type	Code	Description
Permanent/Sale	`P`	Regular sale of goods (default)
Temporary	`T`	Temporary export
Return	`R`	Return shipment

Step 8: Tracking URL (optional)

The tracking URL template is automatically filled in:

https://gls-group.eu/DE/de/paketverfolgung?match=%1

The %1 is automatically replaced with the Track ID of the respective shipment. You can customize the URL if GLS provides a different tracking page.

Setup Complete

Your setup page should now look like this:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  GLS Shipment Setup                     │
│                                         │
│  API Credentials:                       │
│    API Base URL:      https://shipit... │
│    Sandbox Mode:      ✅                │
│    Basic Auth User:   ***               │
│    Basic Auth Pwd:    ***               │
│                                         │
│  Account:                               │
│    Contact ID:        2761234567        │
│                                         │
│  Shipper Address:                       │
│    Name 1:            ALTENBRAND D...   │
│    Street:            Industriestraße   │
│    Street No.:        5                 │
│    ZIP Code:          91126             │
│    City:              Schwabach         │
│    Country Code:      DE                │
│                                         │
│  Default Settings:                      │
│    Product:           GLS Parcel        │
│    Weight (kg):       1.000             │
│    Label Format:      PDF               │
│    Template Set:      None              │
│    Incoterm Code:     10                │
│                                         │
│  Status:                                │
│    Labels Today:      0                 │
│    Last Error:        (empty)           │
│                                         │
│  [Test Connection]                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Checklist

[x] API credentials entered (Username + Password)
[x] Contact ID entered
[x] Connection test successful
[x] Shipper address complete
[x] Default product selected (GLS Parcel)
[x] Default weight set
[x] Label format selected (PDF/PNG/ZPL)
[x] Incoterm Code set (for international shipments)
[ ] Ready for the first label! → Create Label