# Getting Started with ShipStation API

Welcome to ShipStation API! Our easy-to-use REST API lets you manage all of your shipping needs without the complexities of different carrier APIs and protocols. We handle all the heavy lifting so you can focus on providing a first-class shipping experience for your customers.

If you're new to REST APIs, be sure to read our [introduction to REST](/apis/shipengine/docs/getting-started/rest) to understand the basics. Learn how to [authenticate yourself](/apis/shipengine/docs/guides/auth) and then use our [sandbox environment](/apis/shipengine/docs/getting-started/sandbox) to kick the tires and get familiar with our API. If you run into any problems, check our [error handling guide](/apis/shipengine/docs/guides/errors) for tips.

> **IMPORTANT:**
### ShipEngine Rebranded as ShipStation API
Updated February 25th, 2025
Rebranding ShipEngine as ShipStation API is the start of our next phase of providing developers, merchants, and logistics teams with the most comprehensive API tools to manage their shipping operations efficiently.
ShipEngine customers, both new and existing, **don’t need to take any action to accommodate this change** and you don’t need to update any of your integrations in any way. All endpoints will remain the same and continue to function as they always have. The content in the existing developer guides and API specification remain your souce of truth for building ShipEngine capabilities into your platforms.
For more details about the evolution of ShipEngine into ShipStation API, review our [New ShipStation API page](/apis/shipengine/docs/getting-started/new-shipstation-api).


## Essential Features

ShipStation API provides multiple features you can leverage in your shipping workflows, but the four essential features are purchasing labels, getting rates, tracking shipments, and validating addresses. Click any of the tiles below to go to that feature's step-by-step tutorial.

- [Create Labels](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/create-a-label)
- [Calculate Costs](/apis/shipengine/docs/rates/rates)
- [Track Shipments](/apis/shipengine/docs/tracking/tracking)
- [Validate Addresses](/apis/shipengine/docs/addresses/validation)


Each of ShipStation API's features can be used on its own or in conjunction with other features to build powerful shipping functionality into your application or service.

### Shipping Labels for Every Major Carrier

ShipStation API makes it easy to [create shipping labels for any carrier](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/create-a-label) and [download them](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/downloading) in a [variety of file formats](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/formats). You can even customize labels with your own [messages](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/messages) and [images](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/branding).

### Compare Shipping Costs Across Carriers

Make sure you ship as cost-effectively as possible by [comparing rates across carriers](/apis/shipengine/docs/rates/get-shipment-rates) using the Rates endpoint. Or if you don't know the full shipment details yet, you can [get rate estimates](/apis/shipengine/docs/rates/estimate) with limited address info.

### Package Tracking

With ShipStation API you can [get the current status of a package](/apis/shipengine/docs/tracking/tracking) with our `tracking` endpoint (in near real-time!), or [subscribe to tracking updates](/apis/shipengine/docs/tracking/webhooks) via webhooks.

### Worldwide Address Validation

ShipStation API supports [address validation](/apis/shipengine/docs/addresses/validation) for virtually [every country on Earth](/apis/shipengine/docs/addresses/validation-countries), including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Israel, Italy, and over 160 others.

## Getting Help

We’re always here to help with any of your questions. Here are some ways to find answers or get in touch with our team:

1. Take advantage of our live chat, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM (CST). Simply open the chat window in the bottom right corner of your browser to get your questions answered.
2. Read our [help center articles](http://help.shipengine.com/) to learn about using the features available in our dashboard UI.
3. [Create a ticket](https://help.shipengine.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) in our help center if you are having an issue or have feedback for us.
4. Email our [sales](mailto:sales@shipengine.com) and [support](mailto:support@shipengine.com) team directly.