Each Biteship subscription plan includes a monthly quota for using the Rates API, Tracking API, and Maps API. When your usage reaches the quota limit, your integration will continue to run. Additional requests will be charged at the API request over quota rate, deducted directly from your Bitepoints balance.
With this scheme, your checkout system, OMS, or application will not stop retrieving shipping rates and tracking statuses even when transaction volume is high. You only need to ensure that your Bitepoints balance is sufficient and monitor your quota usage regularly through the Biteship Dashboard.
This article will help you understand:
- The types of API quotas that are charged per request after the quota is used up
- The API request over quota rates
- How to check API quotas and usage in the Biteship Dashboard
- The meaning of each quota status shown in the dashboard
1. What Are API Quotas and Out-of-Quota Request Charges?
An API quota is the number of requests included in your subscription plan for one subscription period. There are three types of API quotas that support per-request charges after the quota is reached:
- Rates API: requests to check shipping rates.
- Tracking API: requests to track delivery status.
- Maps API: requests for map and location services.
As long as your usage is below the quota, requests will not incur additional charges. Once the quota is reached, each subsequent request will be charged per request from your Bitepoints balance until the subscription period ends.
On some plans, certain API quotas are displayed with the label pay per request. This means that the plan does not include a free quota for that API, so every request is immediately charged per request from your balance.
Other quotas in your account, such as Shipments, Returns, Active Couriers, Origin locations, and team members, do not use this per-request charging scheme.
2. API Request Over Quota Rates
The following per-request rates apply to API requests beyond the plan quota:
| API Type | Rate per Request |
|---|---|
| Rates API | Rp5 |
| Tracking API | Rp10 |
| Maps API | Rp2 |
The rates applicable to your account, including if your account receives special pricing, are always displayed on each API quota card in the Biteship Dashboard. Use the information in the dashboard as your primary reference.
3. How to Check API Quotas and Request Rates in the Biteship Dashboard
Viewing Remaining API Quota
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Sign in to the Biteship Dashboard, then open Billing > Summary. Scroll to the Subscription Usage section, then select the API Usage tab.
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Check the Rates API, Tracking API, and Maps API cards. Each card displays the number of requests already used compared with the quota limit, for example
1,250 / 5,000 API requests, along with a usage progress bar. The current subscription period is displayed above the card in the format Period: .... - Hover over the information icon next to the API name to view the applicable per-request rate after the quota is reached.
Viewing API Usage and Cost History
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On the API quota card, click View usage. You can also open Billing > Transactions, then select the API Usage tab.
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The table displays the Date, Total Requests, Amount (total cost), and Usage Details columns. The Usage Details column provides a breakdown of the number of requests and costs for Rates, Tracking, and Maps.
Data in the API Usage tab is available from 17 March 2026.
4. Understanding API Quota Statuses in the Dashboard
The information below each API quota card changes according to your usage status:
- Within quota - Quota Available: The progress bar uses the primary colour. The information states that requests beyond the quota will be charged per request from your balance.
- Quota reached - Per-Request Rate Active: The progress bar changes to orange. The information states that the quota has been reached and each additional request is now charged per request.
- Pay per request - No Free Quota: The card does not display a progress bar and usage is marked pay per request. Each request is charged per request from your balance.
- Unlimited - Unlimited: Usage is displayed with the label Unlimited. There is no quota limit for that API on your plan.
5. Tips for Keeping API Request Costs Under Control
- Make sure your Bitepoints balance is sufficient: Costs for requests beyond the quota are deducted from your Bitepoints balance. Add balance through Billing > Summary, then click Add Balance.
- Monitor usage regularly: Check the API Usage tab regularly, especially before promotional periods or sales campaigns.
- Temporarily save shipping rate results: If the route and package weight are the same, reuse the Rates API results you have received within a short period to avoid sending repeated requests.
- Consider an add-on or plan upgrade: If your usage consistently exceeds the quota, you can purchase a Rates API, Tracking API, or Maps API quota add-on, or switch to a plan with a larger quota through Billing > Summary.
6. FAQs About API Quotas and Request Rates
Where are API request costs beyond the quota paid from?
Costs are automatically deducted from your Bitepoints balance. Cost details can be viewed under Billing > Transactions > the API Usage tab.
Can the Starter plan use the Production API?
Yes. The Production API can be used on the Starter plan. Requests above the plan quota will be billed per request from your Bitepoints balance. You can upgrade to a paid plan to get a larger API quota.
When will my API quota reset?
API quotas are calculated per subscription period. When a new period begins, usage is recalculated according to your plan quota. The current period can be viewed in the Subscription Usage section under Billing > Summary.
Are Shipments or Returns quotas also charged per request when they run out?
No. Per-request charges only apply to the Rates API, Tracking API, and Maps API. To add other quotas, you can purchase an add-on or upgrade your plan.
How long does it take for the balance to appear after a top-up?
The balance will be updated automatically within 1 to 15 minutes after the payment is confirmed. If the balance has not been credited after more than 1 hour, contact the Biteship support team and include proof of payment.
7. Conclusion
API request over quota charges ensure that your Rates API, Tracking API, and Maps API integrations continue to run even after your plan quota has been used up. By monitoring usage in the API Usage tab and keeping your Bitepoints balance sufficient, you can manage API costs more easily.
If you find a discrepancy between your usage and billing, or need special pricing for a high volume of requests, please contact the Biteship support team at support@biteship.com.