To help ensure the performance, stability, and reliability of our platform for all customers, we've outlined the following guidelines for using the RyderShip API. These best practices are especially important for frequent or high-volume operations such as inventory levels.

In this article:

• Rate limits

• Item retrieval best practices

• Alternative solutions for high-volume data needs

• Why these guidelines matter

• Need help?

Rate limits

• The RyderShip API enforces a rate limit of 10 requests per second per customer account.
• Exceeding this limit may result in rate limiting errors or, in extreme cases, temporary suspension of API access.

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Item retrieval best practices

Many customers need to pull inventory data from the /items endpoint on a regular basis. To ensure efficient use of the API:

1. Use Incremental Queries:

   • Always use timestamp filters such as updated_at to limit results to only those items that have changed since your last sync. Example:

   /items?search={"updated_at_gt":"2025-07-09T00:00:00Z"}

2. Paginate Requests:
   • The /items endpoint is paginated. Each paginated call counts as one request. For example, if you have 70,000 items and a page size of 100, you would make approximately 700 requests to retrieve all items.
3. Spread Requests Over Time:
   • If pulling large volumes, distribute requests evenly to avoid hitting the 10 req/sec rate limit.

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Alternative solutions for high-volume data needs

For frequent or high-volume data synchronization, we recommend considering more scalable alternatives:

• Webhooks: Receive real-time updates on key events such as inventory changes, order updates, and shipment notifications.
• Batch Exports: Large data sets can be exported via CSV or pushed to data warehouses like Redshift for analysis or system updates.

These methods reduce load on the API and provide more efficient, event-driven data flows.

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Why these guidelines matter

We’ve seen cases where excessive or inefficient API usage has impacted system performance for both individual customers and the broader platform. By following these guidelines, you help ensure smooth operations, faster response times, and a better experience for everyone.

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Need help?

Our team is here to help you design the right approach for your integration. If you have questions about optimizing your API usage or need assistance setting up webhooks or exports, please reach out to your RyderShip support contact.

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