{"id":6388,"plugin_id":"plugin_asdk_app_6a3be8ce7d0c81918cb8bcc8f6d0008e","kind":"skill","collection_source":null,"comparison_source":null,"observed_at":"2026-09-30T22:48:16.097Z","digest":"4c4bf966dcab8e97f06fcdcb68c20543bac9d569d9cd50e0b20af1afe1aee835","against":null,"payload":{"name":"rate-shopping","description":"Compare multi-carrier shipping rates, find cheapest/fastest options, and get shipping recommendations via the Shippo API","included_files":[{"relative_path":"shippo/references/address-formats.md","size_in_bytes":4083},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/carrier-guide.md","size_in_bytes":5690},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/csv-format.md","size_in_bytes":5976},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/customs-guide.md","size_in_bytes":9321},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/error-reference.md","size_in_bytes":11389},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/international-shipping.md","size_in_bytes":6910},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/label-formats.md","size_in_bytes":2825},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/rate-shopping-guide.md","size_in_bytes":4320},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/response-envelope.md","size_in_bytes":1184},{"relative_path":"shippo/references/tool-reference.md","size_in_bytes":15981}],"skill_md_contents":"---\nname: rate-shopping\ndescription: Compare multi-carrier shipping rates, find cheapest/fastest options, and get shipping recommendations via the Shippo API\nmetadata:\n  version: \"1.5.2\"\n---\n\n# Rate Shopping and Comparison\n\n## Get Rates for a Shipment\n\n1. Collect: origin address, destination address, parcel (length, width, height, distance_unit, weight, mass_unit). All dimension and weight values must be **strings** (e.g., `\"10\"` not `10`).\n2. Optionally validate both addresses with `ValidateAddress` (see Address Validation).\n3. Call `CreateShipment` with `address_from`, `address_to` (as inline address objects using v1 field names -- `street1`, `city`, `state`, `zip`, `country` -- not object IDs), and `parcels`.\n4. The response `rates` array contains available options. Present a table: carrier, service level, price, estimated days.\n5. Note: the same carrier may return duplicate rates from multiple carrier accounts. Present the best rate per carrier/service combination.\n6. Each rate carries an `object_id`. To buy a label, pass the chosen rate's `object_id` to the purchase flow (see Label Purchase); you do not re-send the address or parcel.\n\n---\n\n## Rate Expiration\n\nRates expire after 7 days. If a user tries to purchase a rate that was retrieved more than 7 days ago, create a new shipment to get fresh rates.\n\n---\n\n## Filter by Speed\n\nMap user requests: \"overnight\" = estimated_days 1, \"2-day\" = estimated_days <= 2, \"within N days\" = estimated_days <= N. Filter the rates array accordingly. If nothing matches, show the fastest available option.\n\n---\n\n## International Rates\n\nSome carriers may return international rates without a customs declaration, but others will not. If no rates are returned, try attaching a customs declaration to the shipment. Some carriers also require a phone number on the destination address for international rate retrieval. Inform the user that customs will be required at label purchase time regardless. See `shippo/references/customs-guide.md` for customs details.\n\n---\n\n## Checkout Rates (Line Items)\n\nCall `CreateLiveRate` instead of `CreateShipment`. Accepts `address_from`, `address_to`, and `line_items` (each with title, quantity, total_price, currency, weight, weight_unit).\n\n---\n\n## Rates in a Specific Currency\n\nCall `ListShipmentRatesByCurrencyCode` with the preferred ISO currency code (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, etc.).\n\n---\n\n## Recommendation\n\nIdentify the cheapest (lowest `amount`), fastest (lowest `estimated_days`), and best-value options from the rates array. These are not API fields -- compute them by sorting the rates array yourself. State the trade-off: \"Option A is $X cheaper but takes Y more days than Option B.\"\n\n---\n\n## Troubleshooting: No Rates\n\n- Verify both addresses passed validation (most common cause).\n- Confirm parcel dimensions are reasonable (not zero, not exceeding carrier limits).\n- Shippo provides managed carrier accounts by default for major carriers. If no rates are returned, the issue is more likely address validation, unsupported route, or parcel dimensions -- not missing carrier accounts. You can verify with `ListCarrierAccounts` if needed.\n- Rates expire after 7 days. If stale, create a new shipment to get fresh rates.\n\n---\n\n## Quick Reference\n\n**Get rates:**\n(optional) `ValidateAddress` (x2) -> `CreateShipment` (with inline addresses) -> read `rates` array\n"},"changes":[],"summary":"First saved snapshot. No earlier version is available for comparison.","summary_kind":"deterministic","summary_metadata":{}}