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List time slots for delivery

POST /v2/fulfillment/users/{user_id}/service_options/cart/delivery

Lists the available delivery service options for the customer's location and cart items. In this context, service options are time slots, such as Within 5 hours or Friday 9am-11am. Availability is based on current and anticipated shopper availability for the relevant store and delivery location.

By default, the time slots returned are immediate and scheduled time slots. If ETA options are enabled in your retailer configuration, you can retrieve ETA time slots instead of immediate time slots. To get a standard ETA time slot with the scheduled time slots, set the with_eta_options field to true. To also retrieve a priority ETA time slot, set the with_priority_eta_options field to true. For more information, see Retrieve an ETA time slot.

If the customer address is more than 30 minutes away from the selected store, the long_distance_delivery flag is set to true. You can deliver to this address if long distance delivery is enabled for the store. For more information, see Service areas for delivery.

If you’d like more flexibility with your time slots, you can send Instacart your desired windows. Instacart uses your desired windows to map to available service options and returns the available time slots for the desired windows. For more information, see Desired windows.

After a time slot is selected, save the service_option_id or service_option_reference.

  • To reserve a time slot for a desired window, you specify the service_option_reference.
  • To reserve a time slot without a desired window, you specify the service_option_id.
Best practice

Include all the items in the cart in the request. Connect can surface any errors—such as items missing from the catalog—early in the user flow and also precompute some validations to optimize performance.

Order item limitations​

If your request specifies an order containing items that exceed any of the following limitations, the request fails:

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

For more information, see the returned error message.

Security​

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

Parameters​

NameInTypeRequiredDescription
user_idpathstringRequiredThe ID of the user.

Request​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
addressAddressRequiredThe address for the delivery.
itemsArray(OrderItem)RequiredThe items for delivery.
desired_windowsArray(DesiredWindow)OptionalThe desired windows for service options.
location_codestringOptionalThe store location code used to look-up cart items.
with_eta_optionsbooleanOptionalReturns ETA options instead of immediate when true. For more information, contact your Instacart Representative. Defaults to false.
with_priority_eta_optionsbooleanOptionalReturns Priority ETA options instead of immediate when true. For more information, contact your Instacart Representative. Defaults to false.

Address Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
address_line_1stringRequiredThe first address line.
address_line_2stringOptionalThe second address line.
address_typestringOptionalThe type of address, e.g., "residential".
postal_codestringRequiredThe postal/zip code of the address.

OrderItem Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
line_numstringRequiredThe item's line number in the order.
countintegerOptionalThe count of the item. Must be a non-negative integer.
weightnumberOptionalFor items sold by weight, the numerical weight of the item. 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_instructionsstringOptionalAny special instructions about the item selection.
replacement_policystringOptionalOne of "no_replacements", "users_choice" (default if replacement_items specified), or "shoppers_choice" (default otherwise).
replacement_itemsArray(Replacement_items)OptionalA 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.
itemItemRequiredThe item's code.

Replacement_items Object​

One of the following:

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
upcstringRequiredThe item's universal product code (upc).

or

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
rrcstringRequiredThe item's retailer reference code (rrc).

Item Object​

One of the following:

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
upcstringRequiredThe item's universal product code (upc).

or

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
rrcstringRequiredThe item's retailer reference code (rrc).

DesiredWindow Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
starts_atstringRequiredStart time of the desired window in ISO 8601 format.
ends_atstringRequiredEnd time of the desired window in ISO 8601 format.

Request examples​

curl --request POST \
  --url 'https://connect.instacart.com/v2/fulfillment/users/{user_id}/service_options/cart/delivery' \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
  "address": {
    "address_line_1": "string",
    "address_line_2": "string",
    "address_type": "string",
    "postal_code": "string"
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "line_num": "string",
      "count": 1,
      "weight": 1,
      "special_instructions": "string",
      "replacement_policy": "no_replacements",
      "replacement_items": [
        {
          "upc": "string"
        }
      ],
      "item": {
        "upc": "string"
      }
    }
  ],
  "desired_windows": [
    {
      "starts_at": "string",
      "ends_at": "string"
    }
  ],
  "location_code": "string",
  "with_eta_options": true,
  "with_priority_eta_options": true
}'

Response​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
service_optionsArray(ServiceOption)RequiredThe returned service options.
warningsArray(Error)OptionalAny warnings associated with this request.
flagsFlagsOptionalAdditional properties of the address.

ServiceOption Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
idintegerRequiredThe ID of the service option.
service_option_referencestringOptionalThe reference of the service option.
datestringRequiredThe date the service will take place in ISO 8601 format.
handoff_timestringOptionalThe ETA for shopper to arrive at store.
windowWindowRequiredThe time window when the service will take place.
availabilityOptionAvailabilityRequiredThe availability of this service option.

OptionAvailability Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
availablebooleanRequiredIndicates if this service option is available for the user.
reasonsArray(string)OptionalThe reasons for unavailability of a service option. Currently, the reasons are related to the laws governing the sale of alcohol. For example, restrictions on quantity, delivery time, pickup, and matched city and county of stores and customers. The reasons are subject to change without notice.
item_codesArray(string)OptionalThe item codes which caused the option to be unavailable.

Window Object​

One of the following:

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
start_atstringRequiredThe start of the delivery window in ISO 8601 format.
end_atstringRequiredThe end of the delivery window in ISO 8601 format.
typestringRequiredThe type of service option. One of 'scheduled', 'eta' (contact your Instacart Connect representative), or 'asap' (contact your Instacart Connect representative).
asapbooleanOptionalIndicates if delivery will happen as soon as possible. Only true when type is asap.

or

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
immediate_hourintegerRequiredIndicates the number of hours after order creation that delivery will occur.
typestringRequiredIndicates this is an immediate option. Defaults to immediate.

Error Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
errorErrorDetailsOptionalInformation relevant to the error.
metaMetaErrorOptionalThe error metadata.

ErrorDetails Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
messagestringOptionalThe error message.
error_codeintegerOptionalThe error code.

MetaError Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
itemsArray(ItemInfo)OptionalThe items that triggered the error.

ItemInfo Object​

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

Flags Object​

FieldTypeRequiredDescription
long_distance_deliverybooleanOptionalWhether a delivery to the address will be a long distance delivery.

Reasons for unavailability of a service option​

ReasonDescription
State law restricts amount of {beer/wine/spirits} to {#} fl oz, cart quantity is: {#} fl oz.The quantity of this alcohol type exceeds the state law limit.
Error validating alcohol quantities. Please try again.The quantity of alcohol can’t be validated.
Unmatched city and countyThe city and county of the store and customer must match.
Cannot deliver alcohol to this postal codeInstacart can’t deliver alcohol to this postal code.
State law doesn't allow delivery of alcohol in this windowInstacart can’t deliver alcohol in this delivery window because of state law.

Response examples​

200 Success

{
  "service_options": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "service_option_reference": "ezppZD0-NSwgOnR5cGU9PiJTY2hlZHVsZWREZWxpdmVyeU9wdGlvbiIsIDp3aW5kb3c9PjxJbnN0YWNhcnQ6OkVudGVycHJpc2U6OkJvYmE6OkNvcmU6OlR5cGVzOjpWMTo6U2VydmljZU9wdGlvblNjaGVkdWxlZFdpbmRvdzogZGVzY3JpcHRvcjogIiIsIHN0YXJ0X2F0OiA8R29vZ2xlOjpQcm90b2J1Zjo6VGltZXN0YW1wOiBzZWNvbmRzOiAxNTE5MjU3NjAwLCBuYW5vczogMD4sIGVuZF9hdDogPEdvb2dsZTo6UHJvdG9idWY6OlRpbWVzdGFtcDogc2Vjb25kczogMTUxOTI2NDgwMCwgbmFub3M6IDA-Pn0=",
      "date": "2018-02-22",
      "window": {
        "start_at": "2018-02-22T00:00:00Z",
        "end_at": "2018-02-22T02:00:00Z",
        "type": "scheduled",
        "asap": false
      },
      "availability": {
        "available": false,
        "reasons": [
          "State law doesn't allow delivery of alcohol in this window"
        ],
        "item_codes": [
          "000000004011"
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "warnings": []
}

4XX Errors

Error responses return either a single error or multiple errors.

HTTP CodeCauseError MessageError CodeError Meta
400User Not Found"User Not Found"1001{"key":"user_id"}
400Invalid location code"Could not find specified store."1001{"key":"location_code"}
400No stores found"No store location found for given address."1001Not applicable
400Invalid items"1 item not found."2000{"upcs":["123"],"items":[{"item_upc":"123"}],"error_name":"ItemNotFoundError"}
400Cannot deliver to address"Unfortunately, we cannot deliver to that area."1001{"key":"address"}
400Store does not support delivery to address"We do not currently support delivery from this store to the selected address."1001{"key":"address"}
400Invalid Quantity, expected weight"One of these items had an invalid quantity amount, 0001234567892 expected weight"2012{"upc":"0001234567892","item_code":"0001234567892","expected_param":"weight","error_name":"WrongQuantityParameterError"}
400Invalid Quantity, expected count"One of these items had an invalid quantity amount, 0001234567892 expected count"2012{"upc":"0001234567892","item_code":"0001234567892","expected_param":"count","error_name":"WrongQuantityParameterError"}
400Invalid Quantity, expected count or weight"One of these items had an invalid quantity amount, 0001234567892 expected count or weight"2012{"upc":"0001234567892","item_code":"0001234567892","expected_param":"count or weight","error_name":"WrongQuantityParameterError"}
400Duplicate items were provided"Duplicate items provided for this order."2007{"duplicate_items":[{"item_rrc":1234,"item_upc":"0001234567892","line_num":2}],"error_name":"DuplicateItemsError"}
400Priority ETA options not configured"Priority ETA options are not configured for this retailer."1001{"key":"filters.with_priority_eta_options"}
400ETA options not configured"ETA options are not configured for this retailer."1001{"key":"filters.with_eta_options"}
400Without address"can't be blank"1001{"key":"address"}
400Some items are not deliverable"Some items are not deliverable"2005{"items":[{"item_rrc":"133631"},{"item_rrc":"133631"}]}
400Too many items"The number of items in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 10 items from your cart to continue."2024Not applicable
400Too much beverage"The weight of beverages in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 150 lbs of beverages from your cart to continue."2026Not applicable
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."2023{"items":[]}
400Too much weight"The total weight of items in your cart exceeds our maximum limit for a single delivery. Please remove 15 lb from your cart to continue."2027{"over_weight_amount":15,"weight_unit":"lb"}
403User Not Active"User Not Active"nullNot applicable
404Resource not found"Resource not found"4000Not applicable
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