Recently, the world has progressed a lot and all their business and service activities are directly contributing to the economy of the country. Like all other business activities, Shipping has also been an essential part of the country’s economic system. In today’s era of the global economy, it is not necessary that the country in which the product is being sold is also the manufacturer of that product. Nowadays, and especially after the pandemic, all the products are being shipped and managed by the exclusive shipping companies only. Be it Retailers, Restaurant owners, Grocery owners, Wholesalers, all of them are using the best of their tools to maintain a synched relation with the Shipping systems. So, this defines how important is the Shipping APIs. We should first understand the basics of Shipping APIs and then understand how they contribute in bringing out efficiency in the shipping services across the industry.
BASICS OF SHIPPING API: WHAT IT IS?
In layman's language, Shipping APIs means Application Programming Interface which keeps a track of the whole shipment which includes the details of the address from where it is picked up and the address where it is supposed to be delivered. Shipping API integration refers to the steps which the companies or businesses take to integrate the functionalities of shipping into the existing system of the business or the e-commerce store. These Shipping APIs help to track the whole order, then fill in the required details, update the location of delivery accordingly and all the related functions can be easily executed through applications directly.
It enables sending notifications related to the status of the transfer and timely delivery messages are sent whenever and wherever possible. API Integration service also facilitates getting the latest shipping rate, keeping track of all kinds of packages and their deliveries, keeping a check on different global or local addresses, record, and update of the freight through rail, marine, airline, trucking, tracking, and similar other works. So, the companies hire a developer to have smooth and proper integration with the mobile applications to get the best output.
The Essential APIs to Manage the Complete Shipment
1)UPS API
Universal Parcel Service is the full form for UPS, and it is one of the oldest as well as the largest shipping company. It was founded in the very past in the year of 1907. This UPS API allows the developers or the regular users to integrate the major or all the shipping functionalities in their online website or mobile application.
Mostly, there are three kinds of UPS APIs that exist and are further explained below,
a)One of the API uses JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)
b)And the last one uses SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
c)Another one uses straight XM (Extensible Markup Language)
UPS API is one of the easiest ones to use as it is well described and documented so the developers or any user can easily go through the details mentioned in the documents for referring to any of the points. Now, there are different aspects or versions of UPS API which are stated as below:
a)UPS Locator API
It is one such API that gives the details of the shipping locations of UPS through the application. The search option in the application includes different options like UPS Express, Staples, UPS Drop Boxes, Authorized Shipping Outlets (ASO), Service Providers Authorized by UPS, and others. Here the search results are usually displayed in either of the two options:
-List of Locations
-List of Locations along with directions
b)UPS Tracking API
Here the customers can track the location or status of the shipment on their own on the e-commerce website itself through a unique tracking number allotted for the shipment. The users can also put on their query regarding the shipment status through the application.
c)UPS Package Pickup Facility Available API
This API allows the users to check if the pickup facility is available for the given package from a specific address or not. As the package pick-up facility is not available for all the addresses so customers can check the option over here and then accordingly place the order for shipment. Users or Developers got free access to the UPS API.
2)DHL API
DHL is another international service provider for courier, parcel, express mail, it is a German-based company. DHL XML-based API allows the developers to integrate their rates, service availability, shipment tracking details, transit times, and other details, and that too for more than 140 countries.
DHL API allows integrating the functionalities of web and mobile apps so that they can access their features. It facilitates the users/developers to use the existing systems of the shipping management and integrate the same with DHL through a standard XML based as per the secured platform. The processes include tracking, processing, capability, rate quote, booking for the pick-up, generating label, and many more processes.
The DHL API uses HTTP protocol and the HTTP GET is used to get back the data and the HTTP POST is used to develop, create, or delete the data. Here, the DELETE and HTTP PUT are not allowed.
DHL API is documented well so it gets easy for the developers and users to understand in case they are stuck in some issues. Also, this API is available for free for users.
3)USPS API
USPS is the short form of the United States Postal Service, and it was founded in 1971. It is handled by the executive branch of the US government and is responsible for providing postal services to the public in the United States. The USPS API helps one to keep a track of packages and then develop the confirm labels for all the packages and deliveries through your mobile applications. Below is the list of endpoints of USPS API:
a) Endpoint to set email for tracking Notification- This allows the users to set up email as notification for tracking the status of their package or shipment.
b) Endpoint to get a copy as proof of Delivery-This allows the users to get a return copy as proof of delivery through email or as a soft copy.
c) Endpoint to get the status of delivery- This allows the users to get real-time updates regarding the delivery status.
d) Endpoint to get proof of Delivery- This allows the users to get an email as a notification for the proof of delivery.
One of the important aspects of this API is that it is freely available to the users or customers who are registered with USPS Web Tools.
4) FedEx API
FedEx is a known delivery and courier company from America. It is very famous for overnight shipping service and masters a system which can track the packages and provide real-time information on the delivery system and location of the package.
The web services of FedEx allow integrating the different functionalities of the shipping business into their existing warehouse management system without even hosting it on-site. The API of FedEx uses SOAP protocol to provide the responses in XML form to create, manage and delete the shipment details, then also carrying the verification process and processing the replies in a flow.
Also, it is very easy to use as whatever information is required to integrate the third-party application to its existing platform is elaborated in detail in the documentation. In fact, the sample codes are also given along with some relevant examples. And also, to be noted that FedEx API is free of cost.
5) Shippo API
This is a service provider company exclusively for e-commerce companies. It is a multi-carrier shipping company. It is considered to be the best app to cater to all the operations related to shipping. This API helps the developer or the user to make any kind of shipments quite easy, which helps in generating the labels, then retrieving the rates of shipping, keeping track of the shipments in real-time, and many other such features and functionalities.
Shippo API allows the e-commerce website and business into the application to use the operations related to the shipment very effectively. This API is compatible with almost all programming languages which makes it reach a wide range of people. Some of the endpoints of Shippo API are:
a) New package is created every time for the new shipment.
b) Allows adding a new address that can be used later for the shipment.
c)For every service booked, shipping details will be shown along with the shipping labels.
Shippo API is a chargeable service but caters to all the needs related to shipping. Also, it is very easy to use because of its detailed documentation which covers every minute detail.
6) EasyPost Shipping API
EasyPost is a newly launched service in 2012 which aims at resolving technical complexities of the Shipping business so that the focus is concentrated on the core work. This enables the API to give details related to Tracking, Rating, Insurance, Labels of Shipping, Procedure of Address verification, Shipping services for overseas, and others. Some of the lists of endpoints of EasyPost Shipping API are,
a) The address verification process should be completed in detailed steps.
b) The details about the package should be very clear and confined like what is the weight and the quantity of the package.
c)The address of delivery should be mentioned in detail which the building name and number, state, pin code, and other required details/
CONCLUSION:
As mentioned in the above paragraphs, there are several kinds of Shipping API Integration service which can be easily integrated into the application to manage the operations related to shipping in the best possible manner. It can be for any form of business, retailer, or e-commerce. Also, some of the APIs can be easily customized as per the needs of the business or the developers. So, Shipping APIs will reduce the complexity of the whole shipping process and bring efficiency there which will ultimately boost up the economy.
