Validates a postal code and returns associated city, state, and location details. Use this endpoint to confirm postal code validity, retrieve correct geographic identifiers, and ensure address components match before creating shipments.

When to use this endpoint:

Validate postal codes before creating shipping labels to prevent address errors
Auto-complete city and state fields in address forms based on postal code input
Normalize address data to match carrier requirements before quoting
Verify postal code format and validity for different countries

Data Quality Expectations

Validation: Postal codes are checked against official geographic databases for the specified country
Normalization: Address components are returned in standardized formats required by carriers
Completeness: Response includes all geographic identifiers needed for shipping (city, state, country)
Accuracy: Results reflect current official geographic data and postal code assignments

Edge Cases

Partial postal codes: If only a partial postal code is provided, the endpoint may return multiple matching cities. Use the most specific match or prompt the user for additional information.
Missing postal codes: Some countries don't use postal codes. In these cases, use the Locate City endpoint with city and state information instead.
Ambiguous results: When a postal code matches multiple cities or regions, the response includes all matches. Your application should handle multiple results and allow user selection.
Invalid formats: Postal codes that don't match the country's format return an error. Validate format client-side before calling the API when possible.

Localization Notes

Postal code formats vary by country: US uses 5-digit ZIP codes (e.g., "12345"), Mexico uses 5-digit codes (e.g., "06100"), Canada uses alphanumeric codes (e.g., "K1A 0B1")
Some countries don't use postal codes: For countries without postal codes, use city and state information for validation instead
Format requirements: Always provide postal codes in the format expected by the country (no spaces, with spaces, with hyphens, etc.)

Notes

Validation results are based on current official geographic databases and may change as postal code assignments are updated
For best results, always provide both postal code and country code
Use this endpoint before calling Quote Shipments or Create Label to ensure address accuracy