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Shipping Basics
How the Amazon SP-API Update Impacts Merchants
The way many apps communicate to each other is through API (Application Programming Interface) integrations. API integrations send and receive data between apps, websites, servers, etc. For instance, when your Amazon orders import into ShipStation, this is done through an API integration. It is how the order data is automatically sent to ShipStation from Amazon. When these APIs get updated, it may be that a field gets added, or an entirely new integration is built. This is all done automatically, so when it is updated, end users rarely notice. Even if the API connection is entirely changed like with the new Amazon SP-API, everything happens behind the scenes.
Amazon SP-API is just the latest way that Amazon’s partners like ShipStation can integrate to your Amazon Seller Central. One way to look at this is that a highway (API connection) gets repaved and gets lanes added. Your car (the information transmitted via SP-API) is the same and still takes the same path. It just gets to ShipStation more easily now. And as more and more information is required to pass from Amazon to its partners, this is future-proofed!
What is Amazon SP-API?
Amazon SP-API is a suite of REST-based APIs that provides Amazon’s selling partners on the APN access to information from sellers’ Amazon Seller Central account’s data. This new set of APIs will not change the data Amazon sends to third-party partners like ShipStation. Instead, it will only improve the connection Amazon has to its partners.
Why Change from Amazon MWS API?
Amazon MWS (Merchant Web Services) API is the version of the Amazon API that predates Amazon SP-API. If you are a merchant that uses a third-party application connected to Amazon, you likely have no choice but to update. For instance, ShipStation will have moved ALL merchants selling on Amazon over to the new SP-API connection by July 30th, 2022. This is in accordance with our relationship with Amazon. One of the benefits of using a verified partner of Amazon like ShipStation for shipping is that once you connect ShipStation and Amazon, we take care of the technical side. So you don’t have to devote any developer resources or outsource any work to a contractor to upgrade your connection.
Do I Need to Update Anything in ShipStation to Amazon’s SP-API?
You don’t need to do anything to update your Amazon and ShipStation connection. Since ShipStation is an approved third-party shipping for Amazon, we will be updating our integration to Amazon. You will simply log into ShipStation all done behind the scenes and you’ll be on the newest version of Amazon’s API that connects to third-party applications like ShipStation! If you use any other apps that are listed in Amazon APN, check with them to make sure they will be upgrading their integration with Amazon SP-API.
Why Amazon Sellers Should Ship With ShipStation
ShipStation offers a simple way to ship your ecommerce orders. With discounted label fees and intuitive shipping automation, you can save time and money shipping all of your ecommerce orders—not just form Amazon! Batch orders from Amazon, your website, and any other marketplaces or selling channels you list products on. Ship them in batches of up to 500 shipments, and instantly update shipping information to the selling channel.
To see how much time and money you can save, sign up for a free 30-day ShipStation trial today.
