***

title: FAQ
description: Common questions
slug: faq
last-updated: 'February 24, 2026'
---------------------------------

<Accordion title="What is the difference between PAT and OAuth 2.0?">
  PAT is for single merchants with full access, while OAuth 2.0 is for multi-user apps with granular permissions. ([Learn more](/auth))
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How do I track rate limits?">
  Check the `X-RateLimit-Remaining` header in API responses. ([Learn more](/rate-limit))
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How does pagination work?">
  If there is an additional page you will see `next-page` in the header.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Does ShipBob use ounces or pounds for an inventory item?">
  ShipBob inventory items uses ounces (oz) and this is reflected in our API. For reference, see in the [Get an inventory item](/api/2025-07/inventory/--get-inventory#response-dimensions) response.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Does ShipBob use inches or centimeters for an inventory item?">
  ShipBob inventory items uses inches (in) and this is reflected in our API. For reference, see in the [Get an inventory item](/api/2025-07/inventory/--get-inventory#response-dimensions) response.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How to find what fulfillment centers you have access to?">
  You can find the fulfillment centers you have access to by making a request to the GET FulfillmentCenter endpoint at [api.shipbob.com/2025-07/fulfillment-center](/api/2025-07/receiving/get-fulfillment-centers). The response will return the locations (fulfillment centers and hubs) you have access to. \
  \
  Here is a sample response:

  ```json
  [
  	{
  		"id": 228,
  		"name": "Moreno Valley (CA)",
  		"timezone": "Pacific Standard Time",
  		"address1": "28010 Eucalyptus Ave",
  		"address2": "Building #1",
  		"city": "Moreno Valley",
  		"state": "CA",
  		"country": "US",
  		"zip_code": "92555",
  		"phone_number": "8444744726",
  		"email": "support@shipbob.com"
  	}
  ]
  ```

  <Tip>
    If you are using a ShipBob sandbox account make sure to update your request to `sandbox-api.shipbob.com/2025-07/fulfillment-center`.
  </Tip>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How to find the shipping cost for an order?">
  You can find this by looking at the `invoice_amount` in a shipment inside an order. For example, make request to [GET Orders](/api/2025-07/orders/get-orders), [GET Order](/api/2025-07/orders/get-order), or [GET Shipment](/api/2025-07/orders/get-one-shipment-by-shipment-id). You will see this in the payload returned:

  ```
  {
  	...
   	"invoice_amount": 7.77,
  	...
  }
  ```
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How can I find OpenAPI specs for each API version?">
  Download our OpenAPI specs to use in Postman or another API client.

  <Card title="Download OpenAPI 2025-07 spec" icon="terminal" color="#175cff" horizontal href="https://marketplaceapi.shipbob.com/docs/2025-07.json" />

  <Card title="Download OpenAPI 2.0 spec" icon="terminal" color="#175cff" horizontal href="https://marketplaceapi.shipbob.com/docs/2-0.json" />

  <Card title="Download OpenAPI 1.0 spec" icon="terminal" color="#175cff" horizontal href="https://marketplaceapi.shipbob.com/docs/1-0.json" />

  <Card title="Download OpenAPI Experimental spec" icon="terminal" color="#175cff" horizontal href="https://marketplaceapi.shipbob.com/docs/ShipBob-Experimental-Original.json" />
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Why can't I submit an order for a product that already exists in ShipBob's UI?">
  At ShipBob you must create “channel product” records in our system in order to create orders. This is so we always have a unique and immutable tie to the upstream system, which reduces the risk of line item errors and order duplication. You cannot create orders with inventory\_ids or with products created from other sources. Please review our documentation:

  There are 2 ways to create products for your convenience:

  1. Create the products via the [Product POST](https://developer.shipbob.com/api/1.0/products/add-a-single-product-to-the-store). If you pass through a SKU that already exists in the ShipBob UI as the product's "reference\_id", we will automatically merge that product to the existing inventory. Otherwise, the merchant will have to manually "merge" the items using our UI
  2. Create the products using both the `reference_id` and `name` fields in the line item field for the [Order POST](/api/2025-07/orders/create-order). We will auto-create any unrecognized products given both `reference_id` and `name` are provided when you send us orders. This replaces the products sync step described above. Similarly, we will auto-merge the items in the manner described above if appropriate.
</Accordion>