# Starshipit API guide
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001003-starshipit-api-guide
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001003-starshipit-api-guide
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001003-starshipit-api-guide.md
Updated: 2026-06-18

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Learn what the Starshipit API supports and choose the right guide for your integration.

Use the Starshipit API to build custom order, shipping, product data, rates, label, manifest, and tracking workflows. It is the best fit for retailers, platforms, 3PLs, WMS providers, middleware teams, and partners that need to connect another system to Starshipit.

## Common use cases

- Import orders, print labels in the Starshipit UI, and update the source system with tracking.
- Import or update orders, print labels outside the Starshipit UI, and return tracking details.
- Retrieve checkout or live rates from your Starshipit courier setup.
- Use Starshipit to import orders, then print labels externally by API.
- Update orders before printing labels.

## Recommended reading order

1. Read [Authentication and access](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/authentication-and-access).
2. Run one safe quickstart:
   - [Quickstart: Import a test order](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/quickstart-import-a-test-order)
   - [Quickstart: Print a label by API](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/quickstart-print-a-label-by-api)
   - [Quickstart: Get checkout rates](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/quickstart-get-checkout-rates)
3. Read [Starshipit API fundamentals](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/api-fundamentals) and [Testing guidance](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/testing-guidance).
4. Read [Plan a Starshipit API integration](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/plan-a-starshipit-api-integration).
5. Choose a workflow guide:
   - [Import orders, print in Starshipit, and update the source system](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/import-orders-into-starshipit)
   - [Print outside Starshipit and return tracking](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/print-outside-starshipit-and-return-tracking)
   - [Get checkout and live rates](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/get-live-rates-at-checkout)
   - [Print labels for orders Starshipit imported](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/print-labels-for-orders-starshipit-imported)
   - [Update orders before printing](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/update-orders-before-printing)
   - [Sync product data with Product Catalogue](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/sync-product-data-with-product-catalogue)
   - [Use webhooks and tracking updates](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/use-webhooks-and-tracking-updates)
6. Use the [Starshipit API reference guide](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/starshipit-api-reference-guide) to confirm endpoint details.

## Good implementation habits

- Validate your request payload before sending it.
- Log endpoint names, response codes, response bodies, and source-system IDs.
- Re-test with a small sample order before switching traffic over.
- Batch order and product requests where the endpoint supports it.
- Handle `400`, `401`, `403`, `404`, and `429` responses explicitly.
- Retest critical flows after changing your integration, Starshipit account setup, courier setup, or rules.