Paid Inc. officially launched its web service "Shipping API" that enables websites and ecommerce venues to quickly integrate with a single source to supply comparative shipping rates across multiple carriers into their existing applications.

Integration to the API is done using industry standardized XML over HTTP making access possible from any programming language or hardware platform. Unlike other shipping rate engines available, Paid tackled the difficult problems with shipping by addressing the issues of the costs of packaging and handling, insurance, dimensional analysis to best determine packaging of multiple items, tiered promotional discounts and drop shipping to name a few. With the new API, merchants can add accurate real-time comparative shipping rates to their web site based on their business rules and shipping preferences, which will give them a competitive advantage and increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Additionally, Paid's Shipping API's support for international shipping rates will allow merchants to enter the international market space more confidently knowing that they won't lose money shipping worldwide.

Previously, Paid's shipping calculation technology was only available to online auction sellers and other users who were using Paid's ShipCalc and ShopCart ecommerce software modules. Now, online retailer utilizing any ecommerce application can easily incorporate the shipping calculator rate engine through the API.

Paid's API pricing is based on monthly rates related to the number of "calls" or shipping rate calculations sent and returned from Paid's service.

http://www.auctioninc.com/info/page/shipping_api