Live Rates & Service Selection

Karrio’s live rates API allows you to compare shipping rates across multiple carriers in real-time, helping you find the most cost-effective shipping options for your customers. Get instant quotes from FedEx, UPS, DHL, and other carriers with a single API call.

Overview

The live rates system enables you to:

• Compare Rates: Get quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously
• Service Selection: Choose from different service levels (ground, express, overnight)
• Real-time Pricing: Access current carrier rates and surcharges
• Delivery Estimates: Get estimated delivery times for each service
• Cost Optimization: Find the best balance between cost and delivery speed

Rate Shopping Workflow

API Reference

Get Live Rates

Compare shipping rates across multiple carriers without creating a shipment.

1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "90210",
11      "country_code": "US"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 2.5,
15      "weight_unit": "LB",
16      "length": 10,
17      "width": 8,
18      "height": 6,
19      "dimension_unit": "IN"
20    }],
21    "services": ["ground", "express"],
22    "options": {
23      "insurance": 100.00,
24      "signature_confirmation": true
25    }
26  }'

Response:

1{
2  "rates": [
3    {
4      "id": "rate_fedex_ground",
5      "carrier_name": "fedex",
6      "carrier_id": "fedex_production",
7      "service": "fedex_ground",
8      "total_charge": 15.99,
9      "currency": "USD",
10      "transit_days": 3,
11      "estimated_delivery": "2024-01-18",
12      "extra_charges": [
13        {
14          "name": "Fuel surcharge",
15          "amount": 2.5,
16          "currency": "USD"
17        }
18      ],
19      "test_mode": false
20    },
21    {
22      "id": "rate_ups_ground",
23      "carrier_name": "ups",
24      "carrier_id": "ups_production",
25      "service": "ups_ground",
26      "total_charge": 16.49,
27      "currency": "USD",
28      "transit_days": 3,
29      "estimated_delivery": "2024-01-18",
30      "extra_charges": [
31        {
32          "name": "Fuel surcharge",
33          "amount": 2.75,
34          "currency": "USD"
35        }
36      ],
37      "test_mode": false
38    }
39  ],
40  "messages": []
41}

Filtered Rate Request

Request rates for specific carriers or services:

1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "M5V 3A8",
11      "country_code": "CA"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 1.0,
15      "weight_unit": "KG"
16    }],
17    "carrier_ids": ["fedex_production", "ups_production"],
18    "services": ["fedex_international_priority", "ups_worldwide_express"]
19  }'

International Rate Request

Get rates for international shipments with customs information:

1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "SW1A 1AA",
11      "country_code": "GB"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 2.0,
15      "weight_unit": "LB",
16      "items": [{
17        "description": "Sample Product",
18        "quantity": 1,
19        "value_amount": 50.00,
20        "value_currency": "USD",
21        "weight": 2.0,
22        "weight_unit": "LB"
23      }]
24    }],
25    "customs": {
26      "content_type": "merchandise",
27      "incoterm": "DDU",
28      "commodities": [{
29        "description": "Sample Product",
30        "quantity": 1,
31        "value_amount": 50.00,
32        "value_currency": "USD",
33        "weight": 2.0,
34        "weight_unit": "LB",
35        "origin_country": "US"
36      }]
37    }
38  }'

Implementation Examples

Basic Rate Shopping

Get all available rates for a shipment
1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "90210",
11      "country_code": "US"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 2.5,
15      "weight_unit": "LB"
16    }]
17  }'

Service-Specific Rates

Get rates for specific services only
1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "90210",
11      "country_code": "US"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 2.5,
15      "weight_unit": "LB"
16    }],
17    "services": ["fedex_ground", "ups_ground"]
18  }'

Carrier-Specific Rates

Get rates from specific carriers only
1curl -X POST "https://api.karrio.io/v1/proxy/rates" \
2  -H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{
5    "shipper": {
6      "postal_code": "10001",
7      "country_code": "US"
8    },
9    "recipient": {
10      "postal_code": "90210",
11      "country_code": "US"
12    },
13    "parcels": [{
14      "weight": 2.5,
15      "weight_unit": "LB"
16    }],
17    "carrier_ids": ["fedex_production", "ups_production"]
18  }'

Error Handling

Rate Request Errors

Common error scenarios and responses:

1{
2  "rates": [],
3  "messages": [
4    {
5      "code": "INVALID_POSTAL_CODE",
6      "message": "Invalid postal code format",
7      "details": "Postal code must be in format XXXXX or XXXXX-XXXX"
8    }
9  ]
10}