UPS Shipping API

1. UPS Shipping API Overview

API (Application Programming Interface) is a program that acts as an intermediary/ bridge for data transference between different software systems. When e-commerce businesses work with the support of multiple software systems, they need an intermediary system like UPS Shipping API to retrieve and send data efficiently and accurately. Therefore, Shipping APIs are used to automate and regulate any supply chain. 

Automating various levels of shipping operations and improving customer experience make it crucial for any e-commerce brand to streamline its operations. In that case, UPS Shipping API is equipped with a plethora of features that can help your business. UPS has developer kits for integrating different types of shipping API with your e-commerce business.

So, in this blog post, let us look at UPS Shipping API and its benefits for making your supply chain more efficient. Ultimately, automation is the starting point for removing the rough edges from your shipping operations and making them conducive to higher order fulfillment rates. 

2. What are some of the features of the UPS Shipping API that businesses should take advantage of?

2.1) Selecting Shipping Rates

When you're shipping orders for your ecommerce business, it's essential to find the right carrier rates. UPS Rate API can help you calculate costs for different types of UPS shipping services to find the best option for your needs.

The UPS shipping API provides access to real-time UPS rates for you to compare them and find the most cost-effective shipping solution.

2.2) Automated Label Generation

Automating the label generation process can be a hassle-free task with UPS Label API. This API integrated within your UPS account can automate the complete label generation process for different shipping operations like product returns, international transport, express mail, etc.

Moreover, printing bar codes for carrying the relevant shipping information is also an integral part of UPS Label API. 

UPS Label API will also help create a smooth workflow by fetching all the relevant information for products and destinations from your UPS account through automation.

This solution has been helping e-commerce retailers, marketplaces, and logistics companies with their increasing demands for package shipments.

2.3) Address Validation

Address verification is vital for increasing order fulfillment in the supply chain. Automatic address verification set up through a UPS API delivers accurate results and saves time on logistics costs.

Moreover, address validation ensures that the recipients' addresses are accurate and wrong addresses are rectified, reducing the number of failed deliveries and delivery exceptions.

2.4) Tracking

Customers today are constantly looking for updates on their products and want to be kept in the loop. So, adopting a good tracking system will give your business the much-needed reliability among your customers. An accurate and efficient tracking system will help reduce customer service calls for your business. 

The UPS Tracking API will enable your customers to find out the product delivery status with an order number they can use on your e-commerce website. An added advantage is that visitor traffic increases when customers return to your e-commerce site to check their product status.

2.5) Delivery and returns optimization

Final delivery and returns operations in the supply chain can run into constraints when delivery exceptions, pickup failures, and failed deliveries occur. On top of that, reverse logistics without adequate tech support and proactive solutions can drain a lot of your business funds. 

UPS Collect API and Transit API will assist your shipping operations by optimizing pickups and reviewing delivery options during the order, respectively. With the UPS API tools, you can monitor and improve your forward and reverse shipping operations consistently.

3. UPS Shipping API Resources

UPS has long been a pioneer in e-commerce shipping, and it offers a developer kit that will allow businesses of all sizes to take advantage of UPS shipping services.

The UPS Shipping APIs included in the developer kit is furnished with a wealth of features that can be utilized to streamline shipping operations. Below are some of the UPS Shipping APIs:

3.1) Address validation API

The address validation API is available in 40 countries for shipping packages to the United States. You can integrate this UPS API with your business website or enterprise application. It automatically verifies the address as the customer types it in, eliminating chances of inputting wrong postal addresses.

3.2) Tracking API

Customers demand and appreciate an effective tracking system to know the whereabouts of their products. The UPS Tracking API enables customers to track their products from the e-commerce website with an order number.

The tracking API enables ecommerce customers to track their orders through the merchant's or carrier's website in real time.

3.3) Quantum View API

This UPS API provides shipping manifests, status, and alerts for inbound and outbound shipments. However, Quantum View API can only be integrated with resources that are knowledgeable with XML. 

3.4) Shipping API

You can streamline your complete shipping operations with the help of the UPS Shipping API. Create more efficiency and gain more control over your supply chain with the help of this shipping API. 

3.5) Signature Tracking API

Proof of delivery is a crucial aspect of the supply chain in regard to order fulfilment. Signature Tracking API facilitates companies to obtain electronic proof of delivery in real-time, making sales and collection of funds easier.

3.6) Paperless Document API

This UPS API helps your business upload customized shipping documents for customs clearance through a paperless workflow. The Paperless Document API also provides digital Proof of Delivery, doing away with paper invoices.

3.7) TradeAbility API

International shipping comes with a lot of documentation and tax payments. The UPS TradeAbility API helps keeps you updated and sorts out custom clearance, regulations, and trade processes for your overseas shipments.

4. What do other Shipping APIs in the market offer compared to UPS Shipping API?

In a competitive market, it's essential to find the right partner to help power your ecommerce business. When it comes to shipping, UPS is one of the leading providers in the industry.

In this blog post, we'll take a look at other top Shipping APIs available and explore what makes each one unique. We'll also highlight some key considerations when making your decision, so you can be sure you're getting the most out of your shipping solution.

For instance, a competitor like ClickPost API offers premium shipping solutions in the industry today. ClickPost is top-notch with its tracking system API, which uses dual APIs.

They have both push and pull capabilities to deliver real-time order updates with notifications that are sent to customers through emails, SMS, and Whatsapp. Here are some of the top Shipping APIs in the market today:

4.1) ClickPost

ClickPost is a SaaS platform that provides Shipping API, a set of tools that helps you optimize your shipping operations. ClickPost's logistics intelligence software platform provides you with the visibility and analytics you need to make informed decisions about your shipping strategy. ClickPost API features the following services: 

• Multi-Carrier Management
• Carrier Recommendation Engine
• Real-Time Tracking and Notifications
• NDR (Non-Delivery Report) Management.
• Reverse Logistics Optimization
• Cancellation API
• EDD (Estimated Delivery Date) API
• Whatsapp Integrations

4.2) FedEx 

FedEx Corporation is a leading logistics services provider, offering a comprehensive Shipping API suite for businesses of all sizes. FedEx Shipping API integrates with your existing e-commerce platform, allowing you to automate and optimize your shipping processes. Other important FedEx Shipping API features include:

• Creating and Validating Shipments
• Creating and Canceling Tags
• International Shipping
• Returns Management

4.3) Shippo Courier API

Shippo delivers reliable shipping solutions through their courier API. Shippo offers Logistics API that can be used for returns management, comparing rates, optimizing pickups, and tracking. Their premium plans come with a lot of customizable solutions for your online business. Some features of Shippo Courier API include:

• Multi-Carrier Shipping 
• Real-time Rate Comparison
• Automated Label Generation
• Address Verification
• Return and Pickup Optimization

4.4) USPS Logistics API

The United States Postal Service has a wide range of services that can be utilized through the USPS Logistics API. They service around 160 million postal points across the country with a list of efficient Shipping APIs. The services USPS Logistics API delivers are:

• Shipping Price Calculator
• Shipment tracking
• Pickup Optimization
• Address Verification

4.5) EasyShip Shipping API

EasyShip is a contemporary shipping solution that can create a high-performance edge for your shipping operations. EasyShip Shipping API is capable of easy integration with your online business and is free of cost. Some of their services include:

• Multi-Carrier Integration
• Price Recommendation
• Automating Label Generation
• Track Finance with Shipping Software

5. Does an Ecommerce Business Need a UPS Shipping API?

Not unless you plan on using UPS's shipping or fulfillment service. However, our earlier discussion should have made clear why UPS is such a great shipping carrier for ecommerce companies. If you want to use its services, you must integrate with the UPS Shipping API.

Firstly, because it makes communication between the two parties (your systems and UPS's systems) quick and efficient. Secondly, it gives your store the advantage of tapping into the UPS system to find out latest carrier rates, shipping status and more. Thirdly, it makes information storage transparent and accessible.

Lastly, using shipping APIs are a technological advancement. You can assume whatever new age tech hits ecommerce, APIs are going to be a big part of it.

6. Conclusion

UPS is the way to go if you’re looking for a shipping API that can do it all. With multiple APIs for various shipping solutions, UPS makes it easy to get your business online and keep it running smoothly. However, other API tools in the market like ClickPost or USPS provide different features compared to UPS Shipping API. 

With robust functionality and a wide range of integrations, UPS is sure to have what you need to take your business to the next level. Understand the requirements of your online business and utilize this article to understand UPS Shipping API better and find the right solutions 

7. FAQs

Here are some FAQs on UPS Shipping API.

7.1) Is there a cost associated with using the UPS Shipping API, and if so, how much does it cost?

UPS developer kit comes with UPS Shipping API that can access free of cost but as a business owner, you should be aware of the time and money involved in integrating APIs in your supply chain operations.

7.2) How do I get started using the UPS Shipping API for my business?

You should register for a UPS account, which will provide you with your login credentials. By logging in you can find your desired API from the developer’s kit and download the API documentation.

7.3) Do you need to have developer support for integrating UPS API with your business?

Yes, you need to have a technical support team and expertise to integrate UPS API with your business. In that case, you should understand the expense and resources needed to implement the APIs for your shipping operations.