AfterShip

Overview

AfterShip offers a platform for e-commerce businesses to manage and optimize their post-purchase customer experience, primarily focusing on shipment tracking and returns management. Founded in 2012, AfterShip provides APIs and webhooks that allow developers to integrate these capabilities directly into their applications and websites. The platform aims to reduce customer service workload by providing self-service tracking pages and automated notifications for shipment updates AfterShip API overview.

The core functionality revolves around its ability to connect with a global network of carriers, providing a centralized system for tracking packages across various logistics providers. This aggregation allows businesses to offer a consistent tracking experience to their customers, regardless of the shipping carrier used. Beyond tracking, AfterShip extends to returns management through its Returns Center product, which streamlines the return process for both customers and merchants.

AfterShip is designed for e-commerce platforms, online retailers, and logistics companies seeking to enhance their post-purchase operations. Its applicability ranges from small businesses utilizing the free tier to large enterprises requiring extensive customization and high-volume processing. The platform's developer experience is supported by well-structured API documentation and SDKs for common programming languages, including Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, and .NET, which facilitate integration efforts AfterShip developer documentation.

The system's impact on customer satisfaction is often cited as a primary benefit, as transparent tracking and simplified returns contribute to a positive brand experience. The service also aims to provide businesses with data-driven insights into delivery performance, allowing for identification of bottlenecks and opportunities for optimization in their supply chain. For example, consistent shipping delays can be identified and addressed with specific carriers or routes. The integration of such post-purchase tools can be a factor in customer retention, as highlighted in discussions about the importance of the entire customer journey in e-commerce Forrester's analysis of AfterShip's economic impact.

Compliance is a key aspect of AfterShip's offering, with certifications such as SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, CCPA, and PCI DSS Level 1, addressing data security and privacy concerns critical for handling customer and transactional data. These compliance measures are particularly relevant for businesses operating in regulated markets or handling sensitive customer information. The platform's modular product suite, including AfterShip Tracking, Returns Center, Personalization, Protection, and Green, allows businesses to select and integrate specific functionalities based on their operational needs.

Key features

• Multi-carrier shipment tracking: Consolidates tracking information from over 1,000 carriers globally, providing a unified tracking experience for customers.
• Customizable tracking pages: Allows businesses to brand their tracking pages with logos, colors, and marketing assets, maintaining brand consistency.
• Automated shipping notifications: Sends proactive email, SMS, or webhook notifications to customers for key delivery statuses (e.g., in transit, out for delivery, delivered, exception).
• Returns management system: Facilitates customer self-service returns, generates return labels, and manages return authorizations and workflows.
• Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) prediction: Utilizes machine learning to provide customers with accurate estimated delivery dates, reducing "Where Is My Order" (WISMO) inquiries.
• Post-purchase analytics: Offers dashboards and reports on delivery performance, transit times, and carrier performance to identify bottlenecks.
• Webhook support: Provides real-time updates and events via webhooks for integration with other business systems.
• API access: Comprehensive API for integrating tracking, returns, and notification functionalities into custom applications.

Pricing

AfterShip offers a tiered pricing model that includes a free tier and scales based on shipment volume and features. Pricing details are current as of May 2026.

For detailed and up-to-date pricing information, refer to the AfterShip pricing page.

Common integrations

• E-commerce platforms: Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, eBay.
• Customer support platforms: Zendesk, Gorgias, Freshdesk.
• Marketing automation: Klaviyo, Mailchimp.
• CRM systems: Salesforce.
• Shipping carriers: Integrates with over 1,000 carriers globally, including UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS.

Alternatives

• Narvar: Offers a similar suite of post-purchase solutions focused on tracking, notifications, and returns for enterprise retailers.
• Route: Provides package tracking, visual tracking, and shipping insurance for e-commerce brands and consumers.
• Shippo: Primarily a shipping API that helps businesses connect with multiple carriers, print labels, and manage shipping, with some tracking features.

Getting started

To begin using AfterShip's API, you typically need to obtain an API key from your AfterShip account. The following Node.js example demonstrates how to track a shipment using the AfterShip Tracking API.

const axios = require('axios');

const API_KEY = 'YOUR_AFTERSHIP_API_KEY'; // Replace with your actual API key
const TRACKING_NUMBER = '92055901755400000000000000'; // Example tracking number
const SLUG = 'usps'; // Example carrier slug (e.g., 'usps', 'fedex', 'dhl')

async function createTracking() {
  try {
    const response = await axios.post(
      'https://api.aftership.com/v4/trackings',
      {
        tracking: {
          tracking_number: TRACKING_NUMBER,
          slug: SLUG,
          title: 'My First Package',
          smses: ['+18555000000'], // Optional: SMS notifications
          emails: ['[email protected]'], // Optional: Email notifications
          order_id: 'order-123',
          order_id_path: '456',
          custom_fields: { product_name: 'Widget X' }
        },
      },
      {
        headers: {
          'aftership-api-key': API_KEY,
          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        },
      }
    );
    console.log('Tracking created successfully:', response.data);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating tracking:', error.response ? error.response.data : error.message);
  }
}

async function getTracking() {
  try {
    const response = await axios.get(
      `https://api.aftership.com/v4/trackings/${SLUG}/${TRACKING_NUMBER}`,
      {
        headers: {
          'aftership-api-key': API_KEY,
        },
      }
    );
    console.log('Tracking details:', response.data.data.tracking);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching tracking:', error.response ? error.response.data : error.message);
  }
}

// To run both functions:
// createTracking();
// getTracking();

This code snippet illustrates how to use the AfterShip API to both create a new tracking entry and retrieve its details. You would replace YOUR_AFTERSHIP_API_KEY with your actual API key and adjust the TRACKING_NUMBER and SLUG as needed for your specific shipments. The axios library is used here for making HTTP requests, and it can be installed via npm (npm install axios).