> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.goshippo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Shippo is a multi-carrier shipping API. For agent integrations that execute shipping operations (rates, labels, tracking, address validation, customs), connect the hosted Shippo MCP server at https://mcp.shippo.com (per-user OAuth; setup at /guides/mcp-server). To search and read this documentation from an agent, a docs search MCP is available at https://docs.goshippo.com/mcp. Shipping workflow knowledge (agent skills and a knowledge pack) is published at https://github.com/goshippo/ai. For REST integrations start at /guides/api-quickstart; test mode uses shippo_test_ API keys.

# Use high-confidence estimates

## Provide conservative commit dates for regulated or time-critical shipments

Use `confidence_level: "HIGH"` to get delivery dates that are more reliable — not just most likely.

For regulated shipments (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, age-restricted goods) and time-critical orders (event tickets, perishables, SLA-bound fulfillment), committing to a delivery date that is missed has real consequences. Passing `confidence_level: "HIGH"` returns a more conservative predicted date — one where historically only 5% of shipments have arrived later — so you only surface dates you can reliably stand behind.

### How confidence levels work

Each `confidence_level` corresponds to a percentile of historical delivery performance on the origin-to-destination lane.

| `confidence_level` | Best for | Behavior |
| - | - | - |
| `TYPICAL` | Internal analytics, baseline planning | Most common outcome; roughly half of shipments arrive by this date |
| `DEFAULT` | Customer-facing display at checkout | Balances competitive promise with strong on-time performance |
| `HIGH` | SLA commitments, regulated or time-critical shipments | Conservative; only 5% of shipments have historically arrived later |

### Request

```sh theme={null}
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.goshippo.com/v2/estimates \
  --header 'Authorization: ShippoToken <API_TOKEN>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "origin": {
      "zip": "95122"
    },
    "destination": {
      "zip": "94103"
    },
    "parcel": {
      "length": 10,
      "width": 8,
      "height": 4,
      "distance_unit": "in",
      "weight": 2,
      "mass_unit": "lb"
    },
    "planned_ship_date": "2026-05-01T17:00:00Z",
    "confidence_level": "HIGH"
  }'
```

### Response

The `confidence_level` field in the response echoes back the level used. At GA, `HIGH` will return later, more conservative dates than `DEFAULT` for the same service level on the same lane.

```json theme={null}
{
  "object_id": "9f8e7d6c-...",
  "planned_ship_date": "2026-05-01T17:00:00Z",
  "confidence_level": "HIGH",
  "latest_delivery_date": null,
  "predictions": [
    {
      "provider": "FedEx",
      "servicelevel": {
        "name": "Priority Overnight",
        "token": "fedex_priority_overnight"
      },
      "estimated_delivery_date_utc": "2026-05-02T23:00:00Z",
      "estimated_transit_days": 1
    },
    {
      "provider": "USPS",
      "servicelevel": {
        "name": "Priority Mail",
        "token": "usps_priority"
      },
      "estimated_delivery_date_utc": "2026-05-05T20:00:00Z",
      "estimated_transit_days": 4
    }
  ],
  "test": false
}
```

### Selecting a service level for a commit date

```js theme={null}
const COMMIT_DATE_UTC = "2026-05-06"; // External SLA deadline, expressed as UTC date
const DESTINATION_TIMEZONE = "America/Los_Angeles";

// Filter to service levels that meet the commit date (using UTC date for comparison)
const eligiblePredictions = estimatesResponse.predictions.filter(prediction => {
  const utcDate = prediction.estimated_delivery_date_utc.split("T")[0]; // "YYYY-MM-DD"
  return utcDate <= COMMIT_DATE_UTC;
});

// To commit to a date, convert to destination local time for customer-facing display
const commitOptions = eligiblePredictions.map(prediction => ({
  service: `${prediction.provider} ${prediction.servicelevel.name}`,
  token: prediction.servicelevel.token,
  commitDate: new Date(prediction.estimated_delivery_date_utc)
    .toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
      timeZone: DESTINATION_TIMEZONE,
      weekday: "long",
      month: "long",
      day: "numeric"
    }),
}));
```

> [!WARNING]
>
> Shippo Estimate dates are ML-powered predictions, not contractual guarantees. For absolute delivery guarantees with carrier backing, use services such as USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx First Overnight and confirm money-back guarantee terms with the carrier.


## Related topics

- [Estimate](https://docs.goshippo.com/estimate/estimate.md)
- [Create Estimates](https://docs.goshippo.com/api-reference/estimates/create-estimates.md)
- [Schedule warehouse ship-out dates](https://docs.goshippo.com/estimate/schedule-warehouse-ship-dates.md)