In a nutshell, self hosting your WordPress site means downloading your own copy of the WordPress content management system (CMS), finding a domain provider, and signing up for a hosting service to host your site on the Internet
Slibstream is designed to run on self hosted WordPress websites running the WooCommerce plugin. WPML is optional. Our demo self hosted WordPress shop runs WooCommerce with WPML.
API Key Requirements for Slibstream
Slibstream is a paid (premium) service. Find your API key here or create an account to use Slibstream.
Slibstream requires a valid API key to function.
PHP Version Requirements for Slibstream
Slibstream has been tested on PHP 7.3 + PHP 7.4.
It is unlikely that Slibstream will run on PHP 5.X because it is no longer supported.
PHP 7.0, PHP 7.1, PHP 7.2 have security fixes.
It is therefore recommended that you run Slibstream on PHP 7.3 or PHP 7.4.
WordPress and WooCommerce Version Requirements
We aim to keep Slibstream running and functioning correctly on the latest versions of WordPress, WooCommerce and WPML.
It is unlikely Slibstream will work if you are running outdated versions these plugins.
Good news WordPress developers! We have coded Slibstream inline with the latest WooCommerce API standards and tested it thoroughly works with WPML multi currency.
To view your Slibstream plugin settings page navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard >> Slibstream
Settings Overview
API Key This is your unique Slibstream API key. This connects your WooCommerce shop to our API. Manage your API key, billing and more in your Slibstream.com account by logging in.
Itemise Duty Costs Display 1 line total or display the cost components (multiple line costs) that make up the customs duty cost
Hide Duty Costs if 0.00 Turn on to hide customs duty on the basket and checkout page if it is 0.00 (none to pay).
Carrier Select your preferred carrier – different carriers may charge different fees
Shipping Method Select your preferred shipping method – different carriers/shipping methods may charge different fees
Disable Calculations on Basket Page Turn on to disable Slibstream on the basket page to reduce the amount of API requests
Debug Mode Turn on to display success and error output on the basket and checkout page. This is only visible to WooCommerce managers and WordPress Administrators (whilst logged in).
Slibstream will only work if you have entered your domain name or subdomain name correctly. A valid API is required to use Slibstream and 1 API Key can only be used on 1 website.
Step 6
Enter your API Key into the Slibstream plugin settings page in your WordPress website. Then press update. To do this navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard >> Slibstream
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(1) Paste your Slibstream API Key
(2) Click to find your API Key in your Slibstream account
Step 7
A green “API Key Valid” message will display if you have completed the steps above correctly.
This success message signifies that your Slibstream plugin is successfully connected to our API using your API Key.
Please complete the steps above again if you do not see this green message.
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Step 8
Ensure your WooCommerce shop address is fully completed.
Slibstream will only work if it knows your Ship from address. To do this navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard >> WooCommece >> Settings
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Once you have entered your physical shop address you will see green ticks next to your address in your Slibstream plugin settings. Any red crosses will need to be fixed. Navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard >> Slibstream
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Step 9
To enable customs duty calculations for WooCommerce products you must configure each product individually.
Go to each product and enter the HS code for the product and ensure each of the following product options has a correct value. Your HS code will be different for different types of products.
Slibstream requires 6 fields per product
Price or Sale Price
SKU
Product Name
Short Description
Weight
HS Code
Slibstream does not search or create HS Codes for products. We have created this HS Code guide with links to free tools to help you find your product HS Code.
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(1) Product HS Code of the product sold
(2) All 6 required fields should all say “Yes”. Correct any that do not display “Yes”.
We suggest you turn on “Debug Mode” in your Slibstream plugin.
This mode will display output on the checkout page which is only visible to:
WooCommerce managers (whilst they are logged into WordPress)
WordPress webste administrators (whilst they are logged into WordPress).
Debug mode will help you to determine if Slibstream is working correctly. Navigate to:
WordPress Dashboard >> Slibstream
Turn Debug Mode to “On”
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Step 11
Go to your WooCommerce shop, add a product to cart and continue to the checkout page. Once you have entered your billing or shipping address you will see the customs duty due.
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(1) Enter your billing address
(2) Customs Duty Total displays
Slibstream should now be running correctly!
If you experience any errors, ensure debug mode (Step 10.) is on and refer to our error code document. Often the debug output will describe the issue to fix if there is a problem. Product related problems are usually easy to fix.
Here’s how to troubleshoot 2 common problems:
Finally, customs duty is only calculated for country A to country B deliveries. There are other circumstances when Customs Duty might be zero. It’s important to understand that there are instances when no customs duty is payable and Slibstream may be functioning correctly.