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Create a delivery order

POST /v2/fulfillment/users/{user_id}/orders/delivery

Creates a delivery order for the reserved time slot.

If the reservation has expired, Instacart still attempts to book the time slot. If, however, the time slot capacity is filled, your site needs to prompt the customer to select another time slot. The response can take several seconds to return, so for the best customer experience, create the order as soon as possible after the customer completes your checkout process.

warning

If the items in the cart changed after a time slot was reserved, the order creation might fail. For details, see the returned error message.

Order item limitations​

If your request specifies an order containing items that exceed any of the following limitations, the order is not created:

  • Maximum total quantity of items
  • Maximum total weight of beverage items
  • Maximum quantity of large or bulky items

For more information about why an order couldn't be created, see the returned error message.

Age verification for alcohol​

Some products require age validation in accordance with regional laws, such as alcohol and over-the-counter medication. When a cart contains an age-restricted product, the retailer site must request the customer’s date of birth and include it in the order sent to Instacart. If the birthday is missing or the customer is not old enough to purchase the item, Instacart Connect returns an error or removes the item based on your configuration.

Store location​

You can specify the store location in the request. When a shopper shops for an order, they are asked to shop from the selected store location, but there is no guarantee that they shop there.

Phone number requirements​

If the user_id parameter in the request path references a user that doesn't have a phone_number, then user.phone_number is required in the body.

Security​

NameInDescription
AuthorizationheaderThe Authorization header with the bearer token acquired during authentication.

Parameters​

NameInTypeRequiredDescription
user_idpathstringRequired

The ID of the user.

Request​

Each items[] in the request requires either a count or a weight. The field that needs to be defined depends on that product's catalog configuration. For more information, see Product quantity types.

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
order_idstringRequired

The unique retailer-generated order ID to use for the order. The ID can be used later for lookup.

service_option_hold_idintegerRequired

The ID of the service option hold.

loyalty_numberstringOptional

The loyalty number to use for this transaction.

initial_tip_centsintegerRequired

The pre-delivery tip amount in cents.

leave_unattendedbooleanOptional

Indicator if the customer wants the driver to leave the order unattended. Defaults to false.

special_instructionsstringOptional

Special instructions about the order to pass on to the shopper.

location_codestringOptional

The store location code used to look-up cart items.

paid_with_ebtbooleanOptional

Indicator if the order contains an EBT payment. Defaults to false.

localestringOptional

The order's locale in IETF Language Tag format. Example: en-US.

metadataHashOptional

The order-level metadata.

applied_expressbooleanOptional

Deprecated. Use applied_instacartplus instead. Indicates whether the retailer applied Instacart+ membership benefits to the order. Defaults to false.

applied_instacartplusbooleanOptional

Indicates whether the retailer applied Instacart+ membership benefits to the order. Defaults to false.

userOrderUserOptional

Any additional attributes for the user, these take precedence over values set during user create.

addressExpandedAddressRequired

The address being delivered to.

itemsArray(OrderItem)Required

The items for the order.

OrderUser Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
birthdaystringOptional

The user's birthday in ISO 8601 format, this is used for alcohol eligibility validation.

phone_numberstringOptional

The user's phone number.

sms_opt_inbooleanOptional

Indicator whether the user has opted-in to receive SMS communications.

ExpandedAddress Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
address_line_1stringRequired

The first line of the address, e.g., 123 Main St.

address_line_2stringOptional

The second line of the address, e.g., Apt 4B.

address_typestringOptional

The type of address, e.g., residential.

postal_codestringRequired

The postal or zip code of the address.

citystringOptional

The city or town of the address, e.g., Chicago.

OrderItem Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
line_numstringRequired

The item's line number in the order.

countintegerOptional

The count of the item. Must be a non-negative integer. Depending on the item's catalog configuration, either this field or 'weight' is required.

weightnumberOptional

For items sold by weight, the numerical weight of the item. Depending on the item's catalog configuration, either this field or 'count' is required. The API interprets this value as whatever unit of measure is defined for the item in the catalog, such as lb or kg. Must be a non-negative number.

special_instructionsstringOptional

Any special instructions about the item selection.

replacement_policystringOptional

One of "no_replacements", "users_choice" (default if replacement_items specified), or "shoppers_choice" (default otherwise).

metadataHashOptional

The item-level metadata.

replacement_itemsArray(Replacement_items)Optional

A list of requested replacement items if the original item could not be found. This field needs to be turned on via configuration. Contact your Instacart Connect representative.

itemItemRequired

The item's code.

Replacement_items Object​

One of the following:

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
upcstringRequired

The item's universal product code (upc).

or

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
rrcstringRequired

The item's retailer reference code (rrc).

Item Object​

One of the following:

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
upcstringRequired

The item's universal product code (upc).

or

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
rrcstringRequired

The item's retailer reference code (rrc).

Request examples​

curl --request POST \
  --url 'https://connect.instacart.com/v2/fulfillment/users/{user_id}/orders/delivery' \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
  "order_id": "string",
  "service_option_hold_id": 1,
  "loyalty_number": "string",
  "initial_tip_cents": 1,
  "leave_unattended": true,
  "special_instructions": "string",
  "location_code": "string",
  "paid_with_ebt": true,
  "locale": "string",
  "metadata": {
    "key1": "value1",
    "key2": "value2"
  },
  "applied_express": true,
  "applied_instacartplus": true,
  "user": {
    "birthday": "string",
    "phone_number": "string",
    "sms_opt_in": true
  },
  "address": {
    "address_line_1": "string",
    "address_line_2": "string",
    "address_type": "string",
    "postal_code": "string",
    "city": "string"
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "line_num": "string",
      "count": 1,
      "weight": 1,
      "special_instructions": "string",
      "replacement_policy": "no_replacements",
      "metadata": {
        "key1": "value1",
        "key2": "value2"
      },
      "replacement_items": [
        {
          "upc": "string"
        }
      ],
      "item": {
        "upc": "string"
      }
    }
  ]
}'

Response​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
idstringRequired

The retailer-generated order ID.

statusstringRequired

The current status of the order.

order_urlstringOptional

The URL of the Instacart-hosted order status page. If the retailer has opted not to use this feature, this field will be null or empty.

created_atstringOptional

The time of order creation in ISO 8601 format.

cancellation_reasonstringOptional

The reason the order was canceled. Only present in canceled orders. One of the following:

  • customer_driven: The customer triggered the cancellation

  • instacart_driven: Instacart triggered the cancellation

  • retailer_driven: The retailer triggered the cancellation

  • shopper_driven: The shopper triggered the cancellation

  • unbatchable: The Instacart batch system triggered the cancellation

  • other: The cancellation was triggered for another reason not listed above.

localestringOptional

Indicates how the order is localized.

is_expressbooleanOptional

Deprecated. Use is_instacartplus instead. Indicates whether the order received Instacart+ membership benefits. Defaults to false.

is_instacartplusbooleanOptional

Indicates whether the order received Instacart+ membership benefits. Defaults to false.

metadataHashOptional

The order-level metadata.

fulfillment_detailsOrderFulfillmentDetailsOptional

The order's fulfillment details.

warningsArray(Error)Optional

Any warnings associated with this request.

itemsArray(OrderItem)Optional

The items in the order.

OrderFulfillmentDetails Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
store_locationstringOptional

The location code of the store where the order was fulfilled. This field's value is often the same as the location_code included in the create order request. However, orders can be fulfilled from a store that's different from the one specified by location_code.

window_starts_atstringRequired

The start of the fulfillment window in ISO 8601 format.

window_ends_atstringRequired

The end of the fulfillment window in ISO 8601 format.

delivered_atstringOptional

The time the order was delivered to the customer in ISO 8601 format. Only present for completed deliveries.

bag_countintegerOptional

The number of bags in the order, as reported by the shopper.

handoff_window_starts_atstringOptional

The start of the store-associate-to-Instacart-shopper handoff window in ISO 8601 format. This field is only populated for last mile delivery (i.e., delivery only) orders.

handoff_window_ends_atstringOptional

The end of the store-associate-to-Instacart-shopper handoff window in ISO 8601 format. This field is only populated for last mile delivery (i.e., delivery only) orders.

Error Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
errorErrorDetailsOptional

The error details.

metaMetaErrorOptional

Metadata about the error, including the items associated with it.

ErrorDetails Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
messagestringOptional

A human-readable description of the error.

error_codeintegerOptional

A numeric code that identifies the error type.

MetaError Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
itemsArray(ItemInfo)Optional

The items that triggered the error.

ItemInfo Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
item_codestringOptional

The retailer reference code (RRC) or universal product code (UPC) of an item that triggered the error.

OrderItem Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
line_numstringRequired

The item's line number as provided by the retailer in the create order request.

qtynumberOptional

The quantity of the item. For unpicked items, this is the ordered quantity. For picked items, this is the delivered quantity.

qty_unitstringOptional

The unit of measure for the quantity. Either each for count-based items or lb for weight-based items.

qty_fulfillednumberOptional

The fulfilled quantity of the item (the actual quantity picked and delivered).

qty_fulfilled_unitstringOptional

The unit of measure for the fulfilled quantity. Either each for count-based items or lb for weight-based items.

qty_requestednumberOptional

The initially requested quantity of the item (what the customer originally ordered).

qty_requested_unitstringOptional

The unit of measure for the initially requested quantity. Either each for count-based items or lb for weight-based items.

replacedbooleanOptional

Indicates whether the item was replaced. This is true if the item that was picked and delivered differs from the item that was originally requested by the customer.

scan_codestringOptional

The barcode or scan code that the shopper scanned when picking this item.

replacement_policystringOptional

The replacement policy for the item. One of the following:

  • no_replacements: Do not replace if unavailable.

  • users_choice: Replace only with customer-approved alternatives.

  • shoppers_choice: Shopper selects best replacement.

shopper_provided_item_namestringOptional

The item name provided by shoppers for items that they added.

metadataHashOptional

The item-level metadata.

shopper_provided_item_priceMoneyOptional

The item price provided by shoppers for items that they added.

itemItemRequired

The item's codes.

Money Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
amountnumberRequired

The amount of a specified currency.

currencystringRequired

The currency type in ISO 4217 format. For example: USD.

Item Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
upcstringOptional

The item's universal product code (UPC). For unpicked items, this is the requested UPC. For picked items, this is the delivered UPC.

rrcstringOptional

The item's retailer reference code (RRC). For unpicked items, this is the requested RRC. For picked items, this is the delivered RRC.

requested_upcstringOptional

The UPC of the item that the customer originally requested to purchase.

requested_rrcstringOptional

The RRC of the item that the customer originally requested to purchase.

delivered_upcstringOptional

The UPC of the item that was actually picked and delivered to the customer. If the item was replaced, this will differ from the requested_upc.

delivered_rrcstringOptional

The RRC of the item that was actually picked and delivered to the customer. If the item was replaced, this will differ from the requested_rrc.

Response examples​

200 Success

{
  "id": "12345676789012345678780",
  "status": "created",
  "order_url": "https://example.com/example-order",
  "created_at": "2018-02-22T00:00:00Z",
  "cancellation_reason": "shopper_driven",
  "locale": "en_US",
  "is_express": true,
  "is_instacartplus": true,
  "fulfillment_details": {
    "store_location": "000-31921",
    "window_starts_at": "2018-02-22T00:00:00Z",
    "window_ends_at": "2018-02-22T00:30:00Z"
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "line_num": "14",
      "qty": 5,
      "qty_unit": "each",
      "replaced": false,
      "scan_code": "00070481001125",
      "replacement_policy": "shoppers_choice",
      "rx": false,
      "item": {
        "upc": "123456789026",
        "rrc": "",
        "requested_upc": "123456789026",
        "requested_rrc": "",
        "delivered_upc": "123456789026",
        "delivered_rrc": ""
      }
    }
  ]
}

4XX Errors

Error responses return either a single error or multiple errors.

HTTP CodeCauseError MessageError CodeError Meta
400Invalid user id"User Not Found"1001{"key":"user_id"}
400User with invalid phone number"Required parameter missing or invalid"1001{"key":"user_phone"}
400Invalid Quantity, expected count"One of these items had an invalid quantity amount, 0001234567892 expected count"2012{"item_code":"0001234567892","expected_param":"count","error_name":"WrongQuantityParameterError"}
400Expired ETA option hold"ETA option hold has expired."1001{"key":"service_option_hold_id"}
400Invalid replacement_policy"is not included in the list"1001{"key":"items[0].replacement_policy"}
400Invalid quantity (negative count)"must be greater than or equal to 0"1001{"key":"items[0].count"}
400Invalid quantity (negative weight)"must be greater than or equal to 0"1001{"key":"items[0].weight"}
400Invalid postal code"not found"1001{"key":"postal_code"}
400Unsupported postal code"not supported"1001{"key":"postal_code"}
400Invalid service option hold"Hold not found"1001{"key":"service_option_hold_id"}
400User and order without phone number"can't be blank"1001{"key":"user.phone_number"}
400Tip over maximum"Tip value is above maximum: $300.00."1001{"key":"initial_tip_cents"}
400Invalid location code"Could not find specified store."1001{"key":"location_code"}
400Invalid order params*"There were issues with your request"9999Not applicable
400Age requirement otc medicine"You must be over 18 to purchase over the counter medicine in your cart."1001{"items":[{"item_upc":"12345"}]}
400Fails alcohol compliance check"Alcoholic items can not be added to this order. Please remove and retry."2001Not applicable
400Invalid items"2 items not found."2000{"upcs":["111111111111","222222222222"],"items":[{"item_upc":"111111111111"},{"item_upc":"222222222222"}]}
400Insufficient items to meet order pass threshold"1 item not found. Insufficient items to meet order pass threshold."2008{"upcs":["123"],"items":[{"item_upc":"123"}],"error_name":"InsufficientItemsError","item_found_ratio":0.5,"min_item_found_ratio":0.8,"total_cost_cents":1000,"min_total_cost_cents":2000}
400Invalid address"invalid_address"1001{"key":"address"}
400Invalid zip code for alcohol"Cannot deliver alcohol to this zip code."1001{"items":[{"item_upc":"928473737373"}],"key":"zip_code"}
400Order id already exists"Order already in use."1003Not applicable
400Request could not be processed at this time"The request could not be completed at this time, try again later."2003{"wait":"30"}
400Duplicate items were provided"Duplicate items provided for this order."2007{"duplicate_items":[{"item_upc":"123456789999","item_rrc":null,"line_num":"0"},{"item_upc":"123456789999","item_rrc":null,"line_num":"1"}]}
400Duplicate line nums"Duplicate line_num values not allowed: 1"2006{"duplicate_line_nums":["1"]}
400Alcohol outside of allowed time window"State law restricts selling alcohol during the window you selected. Please change your delivery window to add alcohol."2001{"upcs":["alcohol_upc"],"items":[{"item_upc":"alcohol_upc"}]}
400Deactivated user account"The user account was deactivated."1002{"key":"access_token"}
400Service option is no longer available"The delivery time you selected is no longer available - please select another time"1001{"key":"service_option_id"}
400Too many big and bulky items"The number of big and bulky items in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 2 such items from your cart to continue."2023Not applicable
400Too much beverage"The weight of beverages in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 20lb of beverages from your cart to continue."2026Not applicable
400Too many items"The number of items in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 15 items from your cart to continue."2024Not applicable
400Too much weight"The total weight of items in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 20 lb from your cart to continue."2027Not applicable
400Some items are not deliverable"Some items are not deliverable"2005{"items":[{"item_upc":"123456789083"}]}
400Invalid Quantity, expected weight"One of these items had an invalid quantity amount, some_upc expected weight"2012{"upc":"some_upc","item_code":"some_upc","expected_param":"weight"}
400User birthday missing or invalid for alcohol order"Required parameter missing or invalid"1001{"key":"user_birthday","items":[{"item_upc":"alcohol_upc"}]}
400Another order created recently"Another order has been recently created for this user, please try again in a little while."2003{"wait":10,"retry":true}
403Inactive user"User Not Active"nullNot applicable
404Order not found"Resource not found"4000Not applicable
* Multiple error
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