> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rain-sandbox-trial.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ship Cards in Bulk

> Bulk shipping allows you to group multiple cards into a single shipment for efficient delivery. This reduces shipping costs and simplifies distribution, especially for organizations managing large numbers of cards.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Bulk shipping is enabled per program. Contact your Implementation Manager to turn it on.

Even in bulk shipments, each card should be:

* Individually packaged.
* Labeled with its recipient mailing address.
* Ready for easy redistribution by the bulk shipment recipient.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Shipping behavior:**
>
> Cards grouped in a bulk shipment must be individually addressed and packaged, so they can be forwarded or handed out without repackaging.

Follow the steps below to set up and manage bulk card shipments.

**1. Create a shipping group**

To initiate a bulk shipment, first create a shipping group using the [Create a bulk shipping group](https://rain-sandbox-trial.mintlify.site/reference/shipping/create-a-bulk-shipping-group.md) endpoint.

This creates a unique `bulkShippingGroupId` that you will reference when creating cards to include in this shipment. Below, you can find an example request.

```bash bash theme={null}
curl --request POST \
     --url https://api-dev.rain.xyz/v1/issuing/shipping-groups \
     --header 'accept: application/json' \
     --header 'content-type: application/json' \
     --data '
{
  "address": {
    "line1": "123 Main Street",
    "city": "Springfield",
    "region": "Arizona",
    "postalCode": "123456",
    "countryCode": "US"
  },
  "recipientFirstName": "First",
  "recipientLastName": "Last",
  "recipientPhoneCountryCode": "1",
  "recipientPhoneNumber": "5555555555"
}
'
```

The response returns the group, including its `id`. Use that value as the
`bulkShippingGroupId` when you create cards:

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "3f9a1c2e-7b4d-4e5f-9a01-23456789abcd"
}
```

To check an address before creating the group, call
[`POST /issuing/shipping-groups/validate-address`](https://rain-sandbox-trial.mintlify.site/reference/shipping/validate-an-address-for-shipping)
with the address; the response returns `isValid` and a confidence level.

**2. Create cards with the shipping group ID**

When creating each card, include the `bulkShippingGroupId` in the request payload. All cards with the same ID will be grouped for shipment.

### Example workflow

1. Create a shipping group → Receive its `id`
2. Create Card A with `bulkShippingGroupId` set to that `id`
3. Create Card B with the same `bulkShippingGroupId`

Both cards will be shipped together in one bulk package.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Include shipping id when creating the card:**
>
> You must include the `bulkShippingGroupId` at the time of card creation. It cannot be added or changed later.

**3. Understand grouping rules and cutoff times**

Cards are grouped into the same shipment only if they:

* Share the same `bulkShippingGroupId`.
* Are created **before 12:00 PM EST**, Monday through Friday.

### Grouping timing example

| Card | Group ID | Created Time | Shipping Batch |
| - | - | - | - |
| A | XXX | 11:30 AM EST | Batch 1 (together) |
| B | XXX | 11:55 AM EST | Batch 1 (together) |
| C | XXX | 12:15 PM EST | Batch 2 (separate) |
| D | YYY | 11:45 AM EST | Separate from A, B, and C |

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Plan card creation time:**
>
> To ensure cards are grouped correctly, plan card creation to complete before the 12:00 PM EST cutoff.

## Common questions

### How many cards can I include in a bulk shipping group?

A minimum of two cards is required for a shipment to qualify as a bulk group.

### Can I change the shipping group after creating a card?

No. The `bulkShippingGroupId` must be set at the time of card creation and cannot be updated later.

### What happens if I forget to set up a shipping group?

Cards without a `bulkShippingGroupId` will be shipped individually, not as part of a bulk group.

### How are the cards packaged?

Each card is:

* Individually sealed
* Labeled with its specific recipient mailing address
* Easy to redistribute by the bulk shipment recipient

### Where can I find the shipping group ID?

The `bulkShippingGroupId` is returned in the response when you create a shipping group using the [Create a bulk shipping group](https://rain-sandbox-trial.mintlify.site/reference/shipping/create-a-bulk-shipping-group.md) endpoint.