useShipping

This section covers the useShipping function.

The useShipping hook in a web or mobile application, especially within an e-commerce or marketplace context, manages the logic and functionality related to shipping. It handles everything from calculating shipping costs to managing shipping options and tracking orders.

Features

Shipping Options Management:

Provides various shipping options (e.g., standard, expedited, same-day).
Integrates with multiple carriers to offer different delivery services.
Allows users to select their preferred shipping method during checkout.

Shipping Rate Calculation:

Calculates shipping costs based on factors like weight, dimensions, destination, and shipping method.
Supports real-time rate calculation from carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.
Displays estimated delivery times and costs for different shipping options.

Address Validation:

Validates shipping addresses to ensure accuracy and avoid delivery issues.
Integrates with address validation services to correct or suggest proper formatting.
Detects and alerts users about potential issues with entered addresses (e.g., incomplete or incorrect addresses).

Shipping Zones Management:

Manages different shipping zones for various regions or countries.
Supports setting different shipping rates and options based on the customer’s location.
Restricts shipping to certain regions if necessary.

Handling Multiple Shipping Addresses:

Allows users to ship items to multiple addresses in a single order.
Manages the allocation of items to different shipping addresses.
Tracks and updates shipping information for each address separately.

Order Tracking:

Provides tracking information for shipped orders.
Integrates with carrier APIs to fetch real-time tracking updates.
Displays tracking numbers and links for users to monitor their shipment progress.

Shipping Labels Generation:

Automatically generates shipping labels based on order details.
Integrates with carriers to print labels directly from the application.
Supports label customization with branding or specific information.

Shipping Insurance:

Offers options to add insurance for valuable shipments.
Calculates and includes insurance costs in the final shipping fee.
Manages claims processing for lost or damaged items.

Custom Packaging Options:

Supports different packaging types (e.g., boxes, envelopes, custom packaging).
Calculates packaging costs based on selected options.
Allows for the inclusion of special instructions or requirements for packaging.

Shipping Notifications:

Sends notifications to users about shipping status (e.g., shipped, out for delivery, delivered).
Provides updates through email, SMS, or in-app notifications.
Alerts users about any delays or issues with their shipment.

International Shipping Support:

Handles customs forms and documentation for international shipments.
Calculates duties and taxes and allows users to prepay them.
Manages currency conversions and region-specific regulations.

Returns Management:

Facilitates the process of returning items, including generating return labels.
Integrates with the shipping system to track return shipments.
Offers return options, such as pre-paid labels or drop-off locations.

Shipping Discounts and Promotions:

Applies shipping discounts or free shipping promotions based on certain criteria (e.g., order value, membership).
Supports promotional codes for discounted shipping rates.

Delivery Date Prediction:

Estimates and displays expected delivery dates during checkout.
Accounts for processing times, carrier schedules, and holidays.
Updates users on any changes to the estimated delivery date.

Custom Shipping Rules:

Allows for the creation of custom shipping rules based on product type, order value, or customer location.
Supports conditional logic for complex shipping scenarios (e.g., free shipping over a certain amount, extra charges for specific regions).

Usage

To use the useShipping function, follow these steps:

Installation: Install the necessary package using npm or yarn.
```
npm install backchannel-library
```

Import: Import the function into your project.

import { useShipping } from "backchannel-library";

Implementation: Implement the function in your code.

 import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

 function useShipping() {
   const [shippingOptions, setShippingOptions] = useState([]);
   const [selectedOption, setSelectedOption] = useState(null);
   const [shippingAddress, setShippingAddress] = useState(null);
   const [shippingCost, setShippingCost] = useState(0);
   const [trackingInfo, setTrackingInfo] = useState(null);

   const fetchShippingOptions = async (address) => {
     // Fetch shipping options based on the address
     const options = await getShippingOptions(address);
     setShippingOptions(options);
   };

   const calculateShippingCost = (option) => {
     // Calculate shipping cost based on selected option
     const cost = option.rate;
     setShippingCost(cost);
   };

   const handleAddressChange = (address) => {
     setShippingAddress(address);
     fetchShippingOptions(address);
   };

   const handleOptionSelect = (option) => {
     setSelectedOption(option);
     calculateShippingCost(option);
   };

   const fetchTrackingInfo = async (orderId) => {
     // Fetch tracking information for the order
     const info = await getTrackingInfo(orderId);
     setTrackingInfo(info);
   };

   return {
     shippingOptions,
     selectedOption,
     shippingAddress,
     shippingCost,
     trackingInfo,
     handleAddressChange,
     handleOptionSelect,
     fetchTrackingInfo,
   };
 }

 // Example API calls (to be replaced with actual implementations)
 const getShippingOptions = async (address) => {
   // Mock API call to fetch shipping options
   return [
     { id: 'standard', name: 'Standard Shipping', rate: 5.99, deliveryTime: '5-7 days' },
     { id: 'express', name: 'Express Shipping', rate: 19.99, deliveryTime: '2-3 days' },
   ];
 };

 const getTrackingInfo = async (orderId) => {
   // Mock API call to fetch tracking information
   return { status: 'In Transit', estimatedDelivery: '3 days', trackingNumber: '1234567890' };
 };

 export default useShipping;

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`paramName`	`type`	Description of the parameter
`paramName2`	`type`	Another description of the parameter

Conclusion

usePayment

useNotification