# Get checkout and live rates
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001011-get-checkout-and-live-rates
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001011-get-checkout-and-live-rates
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001011-get-checkout-and-live-rates.md
Updated: 2026-06-18

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

> Choose checkout rates or delivery services API requests for live courier options.

Use Starshipit rates when an ecommerce platform, checkout, ERP, middleware, or custom system needs courier options before an order is shipped. Choose the endpoint based on whether you want checkout-rate behaviour or all available delivery service options.

## Before you begin

- Confirm your API key and subscription key.
- Enable at least one courier with rates in Starshipit.
- Confirm sender and destination address data is available.
- Confirm item weights, dimensions, and values are available or can be completed from Product Catalogue data.
- Decide whether the requesting system needs checkout-rate results or all available delivery services.

If you are using the checkout rates API, set up checkout rates in Starshipit before calling the API. Use [Set up rates at checkout](/articles/rates-at-checkout/set-up-guides/set-up-rates-at-checkout) to confirm couriers, services, rules, and checkout-rate settings are ready.

## Choose the endpoint

| API | Endpoint | Behaviour |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Checkout rates API | [POST /api/rates](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-rates-post-api-rates-get-rates) | Returns rates based on your Starshipit checkout rates setup. You must configure checkout rates first, and returned rates follow your checkout rates rules and enabled services. |
| Delivery services API | [POST /api/deliveryservices](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-rates-post-api-deliveryservices-delivery-services) | Returns delivery service options for the shipment regardless of checkout rates setup. Use this when you want to check options before printing. |

## Recommended workflow

1. Collect the cart, order, destination, and package details from the requesting system.
2. Send a checkout rates or delivery services request to Starshipit.
3. Display the returned carrier services and prices in the checkout or source system.
4. Store the selected shipping method with the order.
5. Send the selected shipping method when you create or update the order in Starshipit.
6. Use Starshipit rules to map shipping methods to carrier services where needed.

## Endpoint map

| Step | Endpoint | Use it to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retrieve checkout rates | [POST /api/rates](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-rates-post-api-rates-get-rates) | Get rates using your checkout rates configuration. |
| Check delivery services | [POST /api/deliveryservices](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-rates-post-api-deliveryservices-delivery-services) | Confirm available delivery services before printing or service selection. |
| Create the order after checkout | [POST /api/orders](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-orders-post-api-orders-create-order) | Store the selected shipping method with the order. |
| Update the order after checkout | [PUT /api/orders](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#endpoint-orders-put-api-orders-update-order) | Apply a changed shipping method or final package details. |

Use the [Rates endpoint reference](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#rates) for request and response examples.

## Data that affects rates

| Data | Why it matters |
| --- | --- |
| Sender address | Determines origin, available couriers, and zones. |
| Destination address | Determines service availability and price. |
| Item weight and dimensions | Improves rate accuracy and packaging decisions. |
| Package details | Required when rates depend on parcel size or weight. |
| Product Catalogue data | Can fill missing product dimensions, weights, values, and customs fields. |
| Courier setup | Rates depend on enabled couriers and account configuration in Starshipit. |

## Verify rates

Compare test API rates against the same shipment details in Starshipit. If rates differ, check sender address, destination address, package dimensions, service filters, surcharges, and whether Product Catalogue data is being applied.

## Common issues

| Issue | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| No checkout rates returned | Confirm checkout rates are set up, the courier is enabled for checkout rates, the destination is supported, and package data is valid. |
| No delivery services returned | Confirm the courier has rates available in Starshipit for the destination and package details. |
| Rate is different from expected | Compare package dimensions, weights, address data, surcharges, checkout rates rules, and service filters. |
| Missing services | Check whether the courier account supports the destination and service type. |
| Checkout timeout | Cache cautiously, reduce unnecessary retries, and handle rate-limit responses. |

## Related guides

- [Sync product data with Product Catalogue](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/sync-product-data-with-product-catalogue)
- [Set up rates at checkout](/articles/rates-at-checkout/set-up-guides/set-up-rates-at-checkout)
- [Import orders, print in Starshipit, and update the source system](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/import-orders-into-starshipit)
- [Starshipit API reference](/developers/api-reference/starshipit)