Webhook metadata

Metadata is additional information you can include in many Shippo objects. For some of these objects (transaction, shipment, and batch), this metadata can be very useful when handling webhook notifications because it allows you to associate your own custom data with the Shippo objects.

The following example shows how to use metadata with a transaction and the resulting webhook payload that is created.

Create a `transaction_created` webhook

If you do not have one already, create a webhook with event type Transaction Created following the setting up and testing webhooks guide.

Create a transaction

Purchase a label by calling the transactions endpoint. Include the field metadata with a string containing your additional information.

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url --location --request POST 'https://api.goshippo.com/transactions' \
--header 'Authorization: ShippoToken <API_TOKEN>' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'SHIPPO-API-VERSION: 2018-02-08' \
--data-raw '{
  "rate": "a5c9d1bec93149f5bedc3a9374b50970",
  "async": false,
  "label_file_type": "PDF",
  "metadata":"customer_ID:12, order_ID:558a"
}'

Webhook payload

The Shippo API will send a webhook payload to your URL including the metadata you configured in your transaction.

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{
  "event": "transaction_created",
  "test": true,
  "data": {
    "object_state": "VALID",
    "status": "SUCCESS",
    "object_created": "2024-06-17T14:31:40.000Z",
    "object_updated": "2024-06-17T14:31:40.000Z",
    "object_id": "70ae8117ee1749e393f249d5b77c45e0",
    "object_owner": "mrshippo@shippo.com",
    "test": true,
    "rate": "fe9a78973c5b409498af1fd9baefbe34",
    "tracking_number": "ZW70QJC",
    "tracking_status": "UNKNOWN",
    "eta": "2024-06-22T14:31:40.347Z",
    "tracking_url_provider": "https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input?origTrackNum=ZW70QJC",
    "label_url": "https://shippo-delivery.s3.amazonaws.com/70ae8117ee1749e393f249d5b77c45e0.pdf?Signature=vDw1ltcyGveVR1OQoUDdzC43BY8%3D&Expires=1437093830&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJTHP3LLFMYAWALIA",
    "commercial_invoice_url": "",
    "messages": [],
    "order": "7535a41cac64426fa87ebfa24ad11123",
    "metadata": "customer_ID:12, order_ID:558a",
    "parcel": "faf460225c4d49699e18384dc32a1cc6",
    "billing": {
      "payments": []
    }
  }
}

On receiving the webhook, you can parse the metadata and use it to update your system, notify users, or trigger other actions. For example, you might use this update to send an automated email to your customer to keep them up to date. This is a common pattern for parcel tracking. The Shippo API also supports metadata in webhooks for tracking labels purchased outside of Shippo.

You can use metadata in this way for any of the supported webhook event types.