Multi-carrier shipping API for smarter fulfillment

Ship faster with a multi-carrier API built for parcel and LTL freight. Find the best rates, generate labels, and stay compliant across 200+ parcel carriers and 50+ freight carriers.
Multi-carrier shipping API

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Turn your shipping API into a competitive advantage

Put your shipping API to work across every step of fulfillment—from parcel to freight. From instant label creation to customs compliance and manifests, ShipStation API reduces manual tasks, cuts carrier costs, and keeps every package moving on time. End-to-end intelligence means smarter routing, fewer errors, and better outcomes at scale.

Ship with confidence at global scale

Access a broad global carrier network and compare services to find the right fit for each shipment. Automate labels, forms, and tracking to create a faster, more customized shipping experience.

Reduce delivery errors

Ship items with the same destination in one box or multiple parcels together in one LTL shipment—simplifying the tracking experience and minimizing “Where is the rest of my order?” contacts.

Stay compliant as rules change

Keep up with evolving carrier, customs, and regulatory requirements, from manifests to international shipping requirements. Expand into new markets without risking delays or surprises.

Savings you can see on every label

We’ve helped over 1 million businesses cut the cost of printing shipping labels.
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Intelligent shipping API features built for modern fulfillment teams

Bring carrier selection, label creation, bills of lading, manifests, and international compliance together in a single integration. Standardize workflows across systems and scale to new volumes, channels, and regions—without rebuilding your tech stack.

One API for labels and freight documents

Connect to 200+ global parcel carriers through a single API integration. Support UPS®, USPS®, FedEx®, DHL Express, GlobalPost™, and over 50+ LTL carriers while automatically applying the right service codes, package types, and ship dates for every order. Print labels in bulk from your own systems, get tracking numbers and label URLs instantly, and support one-off, batched, or fully automated workflows without switching tools. For LTL freight, use the same integration to quote, book, track, and void shipments. Generate BOLs, add handling instructions, and secure cargo insurance without maintaining a separate connection. LTL is currently available for U.S. shipments.

Select accurate size and weight for better rates

Avoid costly adjustments by sending precise dimensions, weight, and LTL density and shipment class with every shipment. ShipStation API accepts standardized measurement objects so carriers calculate true dimensional weight—reducing post-shipment corrections, preventing surprise charges, and keeping every package within service limits.

Set smart ship dates, pickups, and manifests

Keep handoffs smooth and predictable with built-in ship date controls and automated manifest generation. Match labels with actual carrier pickup dates, meet cutoff requirements, and generate physical or electronic manifests by carrier and warehouse. Drivers scan once instead of package by package, speeding up pickup while keeping operations compliant.

Choose flexible packaging with carrier and custom package types

Adapt to every shipment without reworking your process. Use predefined carrier package codes for flat-rate services or store reusable custom packaging types with fixed dimensions. Consistent packaging data improves rate accuracy and eliminates repetitive manual entry.
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Protect every shipment with flexible insurance options

Safeguard every parcel and LTL freight shipment with built-in, affordable coverage designed to protect your bottom line. ShipStation integrates insurance directly into your workspace—using ParcelGuard™ for parcels and ProfitProtect® (powered by InsureShield Shipping Insurance®) for freight—automatically calculating coverage up to full invoice value while keeping claims simple and fulfillment fast.

Ship complex orders with master shipment tracking

Send multi-box orders in a single request. Define individual package weights, dimensions, and insured values while generating all labels together. Retrieve a master tracking number that represents the full shipment across supported carriers like UPS®, FedEx™, and DHL Express—keeping customers and teams aligned from dispatch to delivery.

Stay compliant with carriers

Keep shipments organized and aligned with carrier requirements with automated manifests by carrier, warehouse, and ship date. Choose electronic or downloadable PDF manifests based on each carrier’s requirements. Meet daily cutoff times, keep accurate shipment records, and reduce compliance errors that could slow down fulfillment.

Ship globally with customs and compliance built in

Expand globally with built-in customs and compliance support. Include product-level descriptions, quantities, declared values, harmonized tariff codes, and required tax identifiers directly in your label request. Specify customs contents, set non-delivery preferences, submit VAT, EORI, IOSS, or EIN identifiers, and download forms when required—or rely on electronic submission where supported.

Give Canadian customers clear, upfront costs for US-to-Canada shipments

Deliver a smoother cross-border experience with Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) for qualifying USPS® shipments from the US to Canada. Enable sender prepay to cover duties and taxes upfront, providing clear landed costs before delivery. A flat DDP fee is included in the rate response—reducing friction and eliminating surprises at the door.

Stay ahead of changing shipping regulations

Shipping regulations don’t stand still—and neither does ShipStation API. From updated HS code requirements to frameworks like Windsor for Great Britain and Northern Ireland shipments, the API continuously evolves to support new compliance fields and workflows. Add movement indicators, “not at risk” flags, updated tax identifiers, and expanded customs data without rebuilding your integration.

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Helpful Shipping Resources

Browse additional articles, guides, and insights related to shipping and fulfillment. These resources provide practical advice and best practices to support your day-to-day operations.

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ShipStation API removes the complexities of shipping. Scale your business with our industry-leading API, comprehensive documentation, and vast carrier network.

Shipping API FAQs

A shipping API connects your existing systems to carriers so you can create labels, get rates, and track shipments programmatically. ShipStation API plugs into your OMS, WMS, cart, or custom tools so shipping becomes a seamless part of your workflow instead of a separate manual step.

Yes. ShipStation API gives you access to 200+ carriers through a single integration. Instead of building and maintaining separate carrier APIs, you connect once to ShipStation API, then configure your carrier accounts, services, and rules in one place.

ShipStation API lets you include customs, product, and tax identifier objects directly in your shipment request. You can send descriptions, values, weights, harmonized tariff codes, and tax IDs so carriers and customs authorities receive the data they need to keep shipments moving.

Our team keeps ShipStation API aligned with carrier and regulatory changes, such as updated HS code expectations or new frameworks like the Windsor requirements. You focus on sending the right data from your systems, and we update the underlying carrier logic and documentation as rules evolve.