# ShipEngine MCP for AI Agents AI Agent Connect > ShipEngine automates your shipping and logistics. It lets your AI agent validate addresses, compare carrier rates, and generate shipping labels in one place. Stop jumping between carrier websites and start managing your entire fulfillment workflow through a single chat interface. ## Overview - **Category:** ecommerce - **Price:** Free - **Endpoint:** https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CaCY6RRWBoM0Kj448miAt7W28JkRmaNlMGaTUrBf/ai-agent-connect - **Tags:** shipping-api, label-generation, address-validation, package-tracking, multi-carrier ## Description This Connector connects your ShipEngine account to your AI agent so you can handle shipping tasks through natural conversation. Most e-commerce owners spend way too much time jumping between different carrier tabs to find the best price or check if an address is real. This setup puts all those actions into one place. You can tell your agent to check a customer's address for errors before you spend a dime on postage. It can also look at every carrier you have connected to find the cheapest or fastest way to get a box to its destination. Once you pick a method, the agent handles the label creation and purchase. It even manages the boring stuff like topping up carrier balances and creating pickup manifests for your daily shipments. Because Vinkius hosts this connector, you can plug it into your existing workflow and let your agent handle the logistics while you focus on running your business. ## Tools ### connect_carrier Link a new carrier account to your ShipEngine profile. This gives your agent access to more shipping options. ### create_label_rate_shopper Create a label by automatically finding the best price. It uses your preferred strategy like cheapest or fastest. ### create_label Generate a shipping label for a specific shipment. Use this when you already know exactly which carrier and service you want. ### create_manifest Create a manifest or a SCAN form for carrier pickups. This helps you organize your daily outgoing shipments for the driver. ### create_shipment Create a new shipment record with specific sender and receiver details. It requires the carrier ID and service code to function. ### get_rates Calculate shipping rates for a specific package. This lets you see the price difference between different carriers instantly. ### list_carriers See a list of all carriers currently connected to your account. Use this to check which shipping options are active. ### list_labels View a list of all your existing shipping labels. This helps you keep track of your recent orders and shipments. ### track_label Track a package using its unique ShipEngine label ID. This is the fastest way to find a package if you have the label handy. ### track_package Track a package using the carrier's tracking number. Use this when a customer provides you with a tracking code. ### validate_addresses Check if a shipping address is valid for domestic or international delivery. This prevents failed deliveries and extra surcharges. ### void_label Cancel a shipping label that was created by mistake. This helps you stop a shipment before it gets picked up. ### add_funds Add money to a specific carrier balance. This ensures you don't run out of credit during high volume periods. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Validate this shipping address: 4009 Marathon Blvd, Austin, TX 78756. ``` **Response:** ``` I've checked that address for you. It's a valid residential location in Austin, Texas. You're good to go for shipping. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get shipping rates for a 2lb package from Zip 90210 to 10001. ``` **Response:** ``` I found a few options for that 2lb shipment: | Carrier | Service | Price | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **USPS** | Ground Advantage | **$8.45** | | **FedEx** | Overnight | **$42.10** | The USPS option is the cheapest. Would you like me to create a label for that one? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Track my UPS package with tracking number 1Z9999999999999999. ``` **Response:** ``` That UPS package is currently **In Transit**. * **Last Scan:** Louisville, KY hub * **Estimated Delivery:** Tomorrow by 7:00 PM I can keep an eye on this for you if you need more updates later. ``` ## Capabilities ### Validate shipping addresses Check if a customer's address is real before you pay for a label. ### Compare real-time shipping rates See prices from multiple carriers at once to find the best deal. ### Generate shipping labels Create and purchase labels instantly using your preferred shipping strategy. ### Track packages in real-time Get status updates for shipments using tracking numbers or label IDs. ### Manage carrier accounts Connect new carriers and manage your balances from the chat. ### Create pickup manifests Generate SCAN forms and other required pickup documents for carriers. ## Use Cases ### Preventing failed deliveries A customer enters a typo-ridden address. You ask the agent to use validate_addresses to see if it's deliverable before you buy a label. ### Finding the cheapest shipping You have a heavy box to send. You ask the agent to use get_rates to find the lowest price between USPS, UPS, and FedEx. ### Bulk label creation You have 20 orders ready. You ask the agent to use create_label_rate_shopper to generate all 20 labels using your best value strategy. ### Tracking a lost package A customer calls about a late order. You ask the agent to use track_package with their tracking number to see the last scan location. ## Benefits - Stop wasting time on manual data entry by using validate_addresses to confirm customer info before you ship. - Save money on every order by using get_rates to compare prices across all your connected carriers in one go. - Speed up fulfillment with create_label so you can get packages out the door faster than ever before. - Reduce delivery failures and extra fees by proactively checking addresses with validate_addresses during checkout. - Keep your logistics organized by using create_manifest to handle your daily carrier pickups without a spreadsheet. - Stay on top of your shipments by using track_package to give customers real-time updates on their orders. ## How It Works The bottom line is you get a unified shipping command center inside your AI chat. 1. Subscribe to the ShipEngine MCP on Vinkius. 2. Paste your ShipEngine API Key into your AI client configuration. 3. Ask your agent to validate an address or generate a label. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Can ShipEngine help me find the cheapest shipping rates?** Yes, it can. Your agent will pull real-time pricing from all your connected carriers to find the best deal for each specific package. **How does ShipEngine handle address errors?** It validates addresses automatically. This means your agent can check if a customer's info is correct before you pay for a label, saving you from failed deliveries. **Can I use ShipEngine to manage my carrier balances?** You can. Your agent can check your balances and add funds to your carrier accounts directly through the chat to keep your shipping moving. **Does ShipEngine work for international shipping?** Yes, it supports both domestic and international address validation and rate shopping across multiple carriers. **Can my agent create pickup manifests for me?** It can. You can ask your agent to generate SCAN forms or other carrier manifests to get your daily pickups organized quickly. **What happens if I need to cancel a label?** You can just tell your agent to void the label. It will handle the cancellation in ShipEngine so you don't have to log into a dashboard. **Can I validate multiple addresses at once to avoid shipping surcharges?** Yes! Use the `validate_addresses` tool. You can provide an array of address objects, and the agent will return validation results for up to 250 addresses in a single request. **How does the AI choose the best shipping rate for me?** You can use the `create_label_rate_shopper` tool with a specific strategy: 'cheapest', 'fastest', or 'best_value'. The agent will automatically compare rates across your carriers and purchase the label that fits your criteria. **Can I track a package if I only have the tracking number and carrier code?** Absolutely. Use the `track_package` tool by providing the `carrier_code` (e.g., 'ups', 'fedex') and the `tracking_number`. The agent will retrieve the latest status and location updates.