***

title: Setup Sandbox Account
sidebarTitle: Setup
description: Learn how to setup a sandbox account on ShipBob
last-updated: 'February 24, 2026'
---------------------------------

Our sandbox accounts allow you to test your integration with realistic, production-like data. Think of it as a practice run - everything works like the real thing, but no actual shipments are made.

<Note>
  Our sandbox accounts are separate environments and data cannot be transferred over to production.
</Note>

## Step 1: Create sandbox account

* Sign up for our Sandbox environment, [**here**](https://webstage.shipbob.dev/app/merchant/#/SignUp?utm_source=app_partner).
* Validate your email address to activate your account.

## Step 2: Add a test payment method

Add a test payment method so when you create new orders the orders do not go OnHold due to payment failure.

1. Navigate to **Finances > Payment Methods** in the ShipBob dashboard
2. Click **Link Credit Card**.
3. Enter the following details:
   * **Card Number**: `4111 1111 1111 1111`
   * **CVC**: Any 3-digit number
   * **Expiration Date**: Any future MM/YY
   * **Zip Code**: Any valid zip code
4. Click **Add Credit Card**.

*Credit card entry form*

![Payment Methods Overview](https://files.buildwithfern.com/ship.docs.buildwithfern.com/44f09edf2574a00e507a6fbf8ef551cbd56977cb14b5a2fe2480a4550901a7ed/docs/assets/images/shipbob-payment-method.png)

## Step 3: Get API key

ShipBob verifies a user’s request by using a Bearer token in the header. We call this a Personal Access Token.

On the ShipBob dashboard, go to **Integrations** > **API Tokens**. Click **Generate New Token**. Copy this token as we will use in next step.

## Step 4: Make your first API request

Use your PAT token to make a request to the [GET Channels](/api/channels/get-channels) endpoint. You will need the channel ID to create products, orders and returns with the ShipBob API.

```
GET https://sandbox-api.shipbob.com/2026-01/channel
```

<Accordion title="Example response">
  The channel ID to use when creating products, orders and returns would be `100102` since this is the channel that has scopes with `_write` access.

  ```json GET Channel 2.0/channel {3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24}
  [
    {
      "id": 100102,
      "name": "Privileged Access Token Wednesday, September 20, 2025",
      "application_name": "SMA",
      "scopes": [
        "fulfillments_write",
        "webhooks_read",
        "returns_read",
        "orders_read",
        "inventory_write",
        "inventory_read",
        "returns_write",
        "products_read",
        "webhooks_write",
        "receiving_write",
        "receiving_read",
        "channels_read",
        "products_write",
        "locations_read",
        "orders_write",
        "fulfillments_read",
        "locations_write"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": 100101,
      "name": "ShipBob Default",
      "application_name": "ShipBob",
      "scopes": [
        "webhooks_read",
        "returns_read",
        "orders_read",
        "inventory_read",
        "products_read",
        "receiving_read",
        "channels_read",
        "locations_read",
        "fulfillments_read"
      ]
    }
  ]
  ```
</Accordion>

## Step 5: Create product

Below is a sample request to create a product:

<Note>
  Make sure to pass the `shipbob_channel_id` in the header.
</Note>

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript POST sandbox-api.shipbob.com/2026-01/product
  {
    "name": "Light Roast Coffee",
    "type_id": 1,
    "variants": [
      {
        "name": "Light Roast Coffee",
        "sku": "LIGHT-ROAST",
        "packaging_requirement_id": 1,
        "packaging_material_type_id": 1
      }
    ]
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Step 6: Create Order

Below is a sample request to create a order:

<Note>
  Make sure to pass the `shipbob_channel_id` in the header.
</Note>

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript POST https://sandbox-api.shipbob.com/2026-01/order
  {
    "shipping_method": "Standard",
    "recipient": {
      "name": "John Doe",
      "address": {
        "address1": "100 Nowhere Blvd",
        "address2": "Suite 100",
        "city": "Gotham City",
        "state": "NJ",
        "country": "US",
        "zip_code": "07093"
      },
      "email": "john@example.com",
      "phone_number": "555-555-5555"
    },
    "products": [
      {
        "reference_id": "LIGHT-ROAST",
        "name": "Light Roast Coffee",
        "quantity": 1,
      }
    ],
    "reference_id": "840343901234", // the reference_id can be the same as the order_number
    "order_number": "1001",
    "type": "DTC",
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

You can also test making this request in our API Playground [here](/api/orders/create-order?explorer=true).

## Step 7: Add inventory

If you want to add test inventory quantities to your products please email `techspecialists@shipbob.com` with your request and the email tied to your Sandbox account.

## Step 8: Add packaging preferences (optional)

Set these up in the ShipBob dashboard under **Products** > **\[Your Product]** > **Packaging Preferences**.

<Tip>
  If you are using the 1.0/product endpoint you have to do this manually for each product in your sandbox account.
</Tip>

## ✅ Next Steps

Ready to test fulfillment workflows?

Check out our [Sandbox Simulations guide](/sandbox/simulations) to simulate order shipping and delivery events in your sandbox environment.