As more logistics companies transition into the CargoWise Value Pack model, one of the biggest questions that keeps surfacing is: “What do we do when the system throws an Automation Fee error?”
If your team has recently enabled the CargoWise Automation Fee, you’ve likely seen a few unfamiliar messages, especially when creating invoicing jobs across multiple entities or currencies.
To help you troubleshoot quickly and avoid unnecessary operational delays, here’s a simple breakdown of the most common Automation Fee error, why it happens, and how to resolve it step-by-step.
Understanding Why These Errors Happen
Under the CargoWise Value Pack, the system automatically posts two key accounting transactions for every invoicing job:
- A special Job Revenue Journal (JRJ) that accrues the CargoWise Automation Fee
- A matching WIP transaction so you can recover that fee from your customer
These entries are created automatically in your preferred WiseTech Global Invoicing Currency.
And that’s exactly where most errors begin, especially when exchange rates are not set up correctly.
Before diving into solutions, remember: The CargoWise Automation Fee feature only works after your environment has been migrated to the Value Pack model.
Common Issue: Missing Exchange Rate Error
Error Message You May See
“The Invoicing Job cannot be created due to the missing XXX exchange rate required for the creation of the CargoWise Automation Fee transactions.”
Why does this Error occur?
When CargoWise creates the special Job Revenue Journal, it uses your preferred invoicing currency, which may not match the login company’s currency.
If no valid exchange rate exists for that currency pair, CargoWise cannot create the invoicing job and throws an error.
This happens often in:
- Multi-country implementations
- Companies using USD as invoicing currency but operating jobs in CAD, EUR, GBP, etc.
- Newly onboarded systems where exchange rates have not been fully configured
How to Fix the Missing Exchange Rate Error?
Here is the recommended step-by-step fix:
1. Check Your Company’s Job Billing Exchange Rate Configuration
Review which exchange rate rules your login company uses:
- Go to Accounting Configuration > Job Billing Exchange Rates
- Or open Job Billing Exchange Rate Configuration directly
This screen tells you:
- Which exchange rate type is required (Buy, Sell, Mid)
- What source rule is used (Today’s rate, fixed date, manual, etc)
If the system requires a rate that doesn’t exist in your exchange rate table, the error appears.
2. Add or Update the Required Exchange Rate
Once you identify the correct rate type needed:
Go to Maintain > Reference Files > Exchange Rates
Add or update the exchange rate for:
The required Currency Code
The required Exchange Rate Type (e.g., SEL – Sell Rate)
A valid date range that includes today’s date
This resolves the breakdown between your login company’s currency and your global invoicing currency.
Example Scenario (for Clarity)
Let’s say:
- Your preferred invoicing currency is USD
- You’re logged into a company whose currency is CAD
- You save a new Brokerage (BRK) job that triggers the Automation Fee
CargoWise tries to create a JRJ in USD, but when it checks for:
USD → CAD (Sell Rate)
And it finds no valid exchange rate.
As a result, the system throws the error and prevents job creation.
Fix: Simply add a valid USD → CAD Sell Rate with today’s date, and the problem disappears.
Why this Fix Matters for Your Operations?
Updating the exchange rate ensures:
- Invoicing jobs are created without interruption
- Automation Fee journals post correctly
- WIP transactions flow smoothly into billing
- Your accounting team sees an accurate job profit analysis
- Your customers receive correct fee recovery entries
Ignoring this step can lead to:
- Stuck jobs
- Incomplete GL postings
- Incorrect profit reports
- Blocked operational workflows
Practical Tips to Avoid Recurring Errors
You can prevent this issue entirely by adopting a few best practices:
- Keep your exchange rates updated daily or weekly, depending on company policy
- Review the Job Billing Exchange Rate Configuration whenever creating new entities
- Confirm your preferred WiseTech Global Invoicing Currency is aligned with your financial setup
- Train users to recognize exchange rate errors early
- Schedule periodic audits of the Exchange Rate table
When Should You Contact the CargoWise Service Partner?
If you’re experiencing:
- Multiple job creation errors
- Incorrect or inconsistent Automation Fee postings
- Confusion around GL accounts or WIP behavior
- Issues with cross-border or multi-company setups
The certified CargoWise service partner can review the environment and fix configuration gaps before they turn into larger accounting issues.
Conclusion
Exchange rate mismatches are one of the most common issues CargoWise users encounter when working with the new Automation Fee. Thankfully, they’re also one of the easiest to resolve once you understand where the breakdown occurs.
By maintaining accurate exchange rates and knowing how the system chooses rate types, you can keep jobs flowing smoothly and ensure the CargoWise Automation Fee posts exactly as intended.
If you need personalized assistance or want your configurations reviewed for accuracy, schedule a demo today. We can help you optimize the entire Automation Fee workflow quickly and confidently.
