# Introduction to Service Points

Service Points are designated locations where your package recipient can either pick up or drop off a parcel, rather than using their home, office, or business address as the pickup or dropoff location. Service points allow your customers to collect shipments at a time convenient to them. Service points are typically established in convenient and accessible locations such as retail stores, convenience stores, gas stations, or other centralized spots.

Service points are sometimes referred to as Pickup/Dropoff points, or PUDO. Services that support service points are often referred to as PUDO services.

## Benefits

Customer-centric ecommerce companies and logistics providers who commonly use service points as part of their delivery solutions hold several advantages that benefit both consumers and businesses:

* **Convenience**: PUDO services provide flexibility to recipients who may not be available at home during typical delivery hours. They can pick up or drop off their parcels at a time that best suits them.
* **Reduce Missed Deliveries**: Since recipients can collect their items at their own convenience, it reduces the chance of missed deliveries and the need for re-delivery attempts.
* **Cost-Efficiency**: PUDO services can be more cost-effective for businesses since they can consolidate deliveries to a central location rather than making individual trips to recipient addresses.
* **Reduced Environmental Impact**: Centralized drop-off points can lead to more efficient routes, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of deliveries.
* **Expanded Delivery Options**: PUDO service points can be particularly useful in areas where standard home delivery is challenging, like in rural or densely populated urban areas.


## Using Service Points with ShipStation V2 API

With ShipStation V2 API, you can find service points and create PUDO labels.

* **Find service points**: Use the `/v2/service_points/list` endpoint to search for available service points near a location. To get the details of a specific service point by ID, use the `/v2/service_points/{carrier_code}/{country_code}/{service_point_id}` endpoint. Service point details include address or geological location, hours of operation, features, and `service_point_id`. You can then display the service point details at checkout to allow your customers to select the most convenient location for them.
  * Please note: the service points endpoint availability may depend on your account plan level.
* **Create PUDO labels**: You can add the `service_point_id` value for the specific PUDO property you use in your [purchase label call](/create-labels), when shipping with a PUDO service.
  * There are three types of PUDO labels you can create: Home to Shop, Shop to Home, and Shop to Shop.


### General Requirements

* Use a carrier that provides PUDO services and a service that allows pickup and drop off at a service point. If you use an unsupported carrier/service, you'll receive an error when you submit your request.
* Confirm any other PUDO shipping requirements with the carrier. For example, do they permit PUDO use only for certain services? Do they require an [advanced option](/advanced-options) when using PUDO services?
* Know the service point details. For instance, when you select some service points the carrier may require certain properties to appear in the purchase label request body.


## Finding Service Points

Use the POST `/v2/service_points/list` endpoint to search for available service points near a specific address or location. The endpoint returns a list of service points with details including:

- Service point ID
- Address and location coordinates
- Operating hours
- Available features and capabilities
- Distance from the search location


### Example Request

**POST /v2/service_points/list**

## Creating PUDO Labels

To create a label with a service point, include the `service_point_id` in your label creation request. The location of this property depends on the type of PUDO label you're creating:

### Home to Shop

For deliveries from a sender's address to a service point for customer pickup, include the `service_point_id` in the `ship_to` object:


```json
{
  "shipment": {
    "ship_to": {
      "service_point_id": "sp_123456"
    }
  }
}
```

### Shop to Home

For returns or shipments picked up at a service point and delivered to an address, include the `service_point_id` in the `ship_from` object:


```json
{
  "shipment": {
    "ship_from": {
      "service_point_id": "sp_123456"
    }
  }
}
```

### Shop to Shop

For shipments picked up at one service point and delivered to another, include `service_point_id` in both objects:


```json
{
  "shipment": {
    "ship_from": {
      "service_point_id": "sp_123456"
    },
    "ship_to": {
      "service_point_id": "sp_789012"
    }
  }
}
```

## Carrier Support

Not all carriers support service points. Common carriers that offer PUDO services include:

- DPD (UK and Europe)
- Evri (UK)
- Mondial Relay (Europe)
- Yodel (UK)
- Parcelforce (UK)
- FedEx International Connect


Check your carrier's documentation guide for specific service point support and requirements.

## Related Guides

- [Create Labels](/create-labels)
- [Advanced Options](/advanced-options)