# Quickstart: Import a test order
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001014-quickstart-import-a-test-order
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001014-quickstart-import-a-test-order
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/14700000001014-quickstart-import-a-test-order.md
Updated: 2026-06-18

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

> Create a safe test order through the Starshipit API and confirm it appears in your account.

Use this quickstart to send one safe test order to Starshipit with `POST /api/orders`, then confirm the order appears before you build a full import workflow.

Use the [Orders API reference](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#orders) when you need the full request model.

## Before you begin

- Confirm your API key and subscription key in **Settings > API**.
- Confirm your account has at least one sender address and courier configured.
- Use a test order number that cannot be confused with a real customer order.
- Decide how you will remove or archive the test order after verification.

:::important
Use a non-customer recipient, test phone number, and internal email address. Do not use real customer personal data in early API tests.
:::

## Safe test payload

Start with the smallest realistic order your account can accept. Replace the address values with safe test data that matches a destination your couriers support.

```bash
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.starshipit.com/api/orders \
  --header "StarShipIT-Api-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  --header "Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key: YOUR_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "order": {
      "order_number": "API-TEST-1001",
      "reference": "Developer quickstart test",
      "shipping_method": "Standard",
      "destination": {
        "name": "API Test Recipient",
        "phone": "0200000000",
        "street": "20 George Street",
        "suburb": "Sydney",
        "state": "NSW",
        "post_code": "2000",
        "country": "Australia",
        "delivery_instructions": "Test order only"
      },
      "items": [
        {
          "description": "Test item",
          "quantity": 1,
          "weight": 0.5,
          "value": 10,
          "sku": "API-TEST-SKU"
        }
      ]
    }
  }'
```

## Send the request

1. Send the request from your API client, terminal, or integration environment.
2. Confirm the response includes `"success": true`.
3. Store the returned `order_id` and your source order number.
4. Keep the full response body in your test logs.

## Verify the order

Open Starshipit and search for `API-TEST-1001`. Confirm:

- The order appears in the unshipped orders list.
- The destination address matches the payload.
- The item, quantity, SKU, and weight are present.
- Starshipit rules apply the carrier or service you expect.

## Common issues

| Issue | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| `401 Unauthorized` | Confirm both API headers are present and copied from the same Starshipit account. |
| `400 Bad Request` | Confirm the request body is valid JSON and required order fields are present. |
| Order not visible | Search by order number, then confirm you sent the request to the right account. |
| Wrong service selected | Check the `shipping_method` value and matching Starshipit rules. |

## Next steps

- [Print a label by API](/articles/developer-center/getting-started/quickstart-print-a-label-by-api)
- [Plan a Starshipit API integration](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/plan-a-starshipit-api-integration)
- [Starshipit API fundamentals](/articles/developer-center/starshipit-api/api-fundamentals)
- [Orders API reference](/developers/api-reference/starshipit#orders)