GLS ShipIT 5.0.17 GLS ShipIT - REST services

Track your parcels

# Accessing the REST service

The endpoints for the centrally hosted services can be obtained from your primary GLS contact and will be given with your credentials for the Service.

This service is about tracking parcels (retrieving information about the current status as well as retrieving a proof of delivery). The parcels searched for must have been created on the backend you are searching on.

If the user is authenticated successfully the actual backend state is requested from datahub. If the backend is active in datahub, the backend state in backend database is set to active and the request is executed, else the backend state in backend database is set to inactive and a response with HTTP status 490 is returned.

# Available REST service operations

Any of the below endpoints will refer to one of these status types:

- DATA_RECEIVED (Parcel data was sent to GLS.)
- PICKUP (Parcel was initially scanned by GLS and is starting into GLS network.)
- HUB (Parcel arrived at central GLS hub and will be sorted to the final destination.)
- IN_DELIVERY (Parcel is out with the driver to the recipient.)
- DELIVERED (Parcel was delivered at final destination.)
- CANCELLED (Parcel data got cancelled. Parcel will not be handled by GLS. Not possible anymore once the parcel was initially scanned.)

## findParcels

These operations search for parcels. Several parameters can be passed to the service. The search returns all parcels that match the search criteria (and to which the user issuing the request has access to). Partial matches or wildcard matches are not supported. The DateFrom and DateTo each include the specified day. That means searching DateFrom to '2017-02-07' and DateTo to '2017-02-07' finds all parcels created during that day. Also, the shipment unit will be searched by its identifiers: TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference.

Please consider: Only parcels that went through Use case description: getEndOfDayReport are being found by the tracking service.

The REST method is available at sub-path `/parcels` with http request method `POST`

Parameter | Mandatory | Location in Request | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
tulReferenceData | TRUE | request body | The eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.TULReferenceData with the request parameters.

### Input validation

- The TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference must identify a shipment unit. When more than one identifier is provided a logical AND between identifiers is considered, i.e., only a parcel matching all (non empty) identifiers is returned. If none or more than one unit is found, a fault is returned.

Name | Expression in webservices | Field length | Type | Format | Mandatory/Optional | Restrictions | Level | Description
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Parcel identifier (alphanumeric) | TrackID | 8 | alphanumeric |  | Optional | - |  | Main identifier of a parcel within GLS.
Parcel identifier (numeric) | ParcelNumber | 12 | numeric |  | Optional | - |  | Either use 11 or 12 digit parcel no given at parcel creation.
Shipment reference number | ShipmentReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Optional | - |  | Reference for this consignment of parcels.
Parcel reference | ShipmentUnitReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Optional | - |  | Reference given to a single parcel.
Partner's parcel number | PartnerParcelNumber | 50 | alphanumeric |  | Optional | - |  | Option for logistic partners to hand over their own reference.
Shipping Date (Start) | DateFrom | 10 | alphanumeric | YYYY-MM-DD | Mandatory | - |  | Start of timeframe the parcels shall be searched up.
Shipping Date (End) | DateTo | 10 | alphanumeric | YYYY-MM-DD | Mandatory | - |  | Start of timeframe the parcels shall be searched up.

The REST response is an instance of eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.TUListResponse or one of the following faults:

- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.InvalidFieldValueMessage

To retrieve all parcels created between 7th and 8th February, you could issue a request as follows:

### Sample request

POST https://localhost:8443/backend/rs/tracking/parcels
POST data:
{
"DateFrom": "2016-02-07",
"DateTo": "2016-02-08"
}

If the request was successful:

{
"UnitItems": [{
"TrackID": "P3L11002",
"ShipmentReference": "abdeckjdefsss012",
"ShipmentUnitReference": "RefTwo",
"InitialDate": "2016-02-07T13:17:15+01:00",
"Status": "DELIVERED"
}
]
}

If the request was successful (but no result was found):

{}

If a mandatory parameter is not provided, a HTTP response with error code '400 Bad Request' is returned:

Response headers:
HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request
message: The Mandatory parameter TULReferenceData.DateTo is not set
error: MANDATORY_PARAMETER_NOT_SET
Content-Length: 0
args: ["TULReferenceData.DateTo"]

If DateFrom is after DateTo, a HTTP response with error code '400 Bad Request' is returned:

Response headers:
HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request
message: Invalid field DateTo. Value 2017-02-17 is not a valid value. DateTo must be after DateFrom
error: INVALID_FIELD_VALUE
Content-Length: 0
args: ["DateTo","2017-02-17","DateTo must be after DateFrom"]

## getParcelDetailsByID

Retrieves the detailed Track&Trace information (including the transport history) for a specific shipment unit identified by its TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference. If the parcel has been delivered, the delivery date and the signature will be set.

The REST method is available at sub-path `/parceldetails` with http request method `POST`

Parameter | Mandatory | Location in Request | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
detailsReferenceData | TRUE | request body | The eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.DetailsReferenceData with the request parameters.

### Input validation

- The TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference must identify a shipment unit. When more than one identifier is provided a logical AND between identifiers is considered, i.e., only a parcel matching all (non empty) identifiers is returned. If none or more than one unit is found, a fault is returned.

Name | Expression in webservices | Field length | Type | Format | Mandatory/Optional | Restrictions | Level | Description
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Parcel identifier (alphanumeric) | TrackID | 8 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Main identifier of a parcel within GLS.
Parcel identifier (numeric) | ParcelNumber | 12 | numeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Either use 11 or 12 digit parcel no given at parcel creation.
Shipment reference number | ShipmentReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Reference for this consignment of parcels.
Parcel reference | ShipmentUnitReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Reference given to a single parcel.
Partner's parcel number | PartnerParcelNumber | 50 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Option for logistic partners to hand over their own reference.

The REST response is an instance of eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.ParcelDetailResponse or one of the following faults:

- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.MandatoryFieldMissingMessage
- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.InvalidFieldValueMessage
- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.InvalidShipmentIDMessage

### Sample request

POST https://localhost:8443/backend/rs/tracking/parceldetails
POST data:
{
"TrackID" : "YZ8YO11K",
"ShipmentReference": "567f2fb4-dd61-4aeb-9515-82f71b12c434",
"ShipmentUnitReference": "0d5145f1-7ec5-4894-ae73-c590201c6c5d",
"ParcelNumber": "P3L11004PN0001",
"PartnerParcelNumber": "P3L11004PPN0001"
}

### Sample response

If the request was successful:

{
"UnitDetail": {
"TrackID": "YZ8YO11K",
"Weight": "23.2",
"Product": "PARCEL",
"Consignee": {
"Address": {
"Name1": "Max",
"CountryCode": "DE",
"ZIPCode": "38106",
"City": "Braunschweig",
"Street": "Ringstrasse",
"eMail": null
}
},
"Shipper": {
"ContactID": "2761234567",
"AlternativeShipperAddress": {
"Name1": "Public WS/RS Doc Shipper",
"Name2": "Docu",
"Name3": "Mentation",
"CountryCode": "DE",
"ZIPCode": "65760",
"City": "Eschborn",
"Street": "Mergenthalerallee",
"StreetNumber": "77",
"eMail": "fpcs.docu@syrocon.de",
"FixedLinePhonenumber": "0172321321",
"MobilePhoneNumber": "0172123123"
}
},
"Service": [],
"ShipmentService": [],
"History": [
{
"Date": "2025-12-05T09:02:03+01:00",
"LocationCode": "DE 350",
"Location": "Kassel DE 350",
"Country": "DE",
"StatusCode": "DATA_RECEIVED",
"Description": "The parcel data was entered into the GLS IT system; the parcel was not yet handed over to GLS."
},
{
"Date": "2025-12-05T11:43:59+01:00",
"LocationCode": "DE 350",
"Location": "Kassel DE 350",
"Country": "DE",
"StatusCode": "HUB",
"Description": "The parcel has been picked up by GLS."
},
{
"Date": "2025-12-05T17:15:06+01:00",
"LocationCode": "DE 350",
"Location": "Kassel DE 350",
"Country": "DE",
"StatusCode": "HUB",
"Description": "The parcel was handed over to GLS."
},
.....
}
}

If the parcel does not exist / is not accessible:

Response headers:
HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request
message: No shipment unit found for parcel identifier(s) YZ8YNSJP.
error: INVALID_SHIPMENT_ID
Content-Length: 0
args: []

## getParcelPODByID

Retrieves the proof of delivery document for a parcel. The parcel is identified by its TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference.

The REST method is available at sub-path `/parcelpod` with http request method `POST`

Parameter | Mandatory | Location in Request | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
tupReferenceData | TRUE | request body | The eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.TUPReferenceData with the request parameters.

### Input validation

- The TrackID, ParcelNumber, PartnerParcelNumber, ShipmentReference or ShipmentUnitReference must identify a shipment unit. When more than one identifier is provided a logical AND between identifiers is considered, i.e., only a parcel matching all (non empty) identifiers is returned. If none or more than one unit is found, a fault is returned.

Name | Expression in webservices | Field length | Type | Format | Mandatory/Optional | Restrictions | Level | Description
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Parcel identifier (alphanumeric) | TrackID | 8 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Main identifier of a parcel within GLS.
Parcel identifier (numeric) | ParcelNumber | 12 | numeric |  | Conditional | - |  | 12 digit parcel no given at parcel creation.
Shipment reference number | ShipmentReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Reference for this consignment of parcels.
Parcel reference | ShipmentUnitReference | 40 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Reference given to a single parcel.
Partner's parcel number | PartnerParcelNumber | 50 | alphanumeric |  | Conditional | - |  | Option for logistic partners to hand over their own reference.

The rest response is an instance of eu.glsgroup.fpcs.datatypes.soap.v1.tracking.PODResponse or one of the following rest faults:

- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.MandatoryFieldMissingMessage
- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.InvalidFieldValueMessage
- eu.gls_group.fpcs.v1.tracking.InvalidShipmentIDMessage

### Sample request

POST https://localhost:8443/backend/rs/tracking/parcelpod
POST data:
{
"TrackID" : "P3L11002",
"ShipmentReference": "567f2fb4-dd61-4aeb-9515-82f71b12c434",
"ShipmentUnitReference": "0d5145f1-7ec5-4894-ae73-c590201c6c5d",
"ParcelNumber": "P3L11004PN0001",
"PartnerParcelNumber": "P3L11004PPN0001"
}

### Sample response

If the request was successful (ImageData is shortened. Here a Base64 encoded byte[] will be returned):

{
"PODItem": {
"TrackID": "P3L11002",
"ImageData": "JVBERi0xLjQKJfbk/N8...kKJSVFT0YK"
}
}

If no signature is available / the parcel is in the wrong state:

Response headers:
HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request
message: Invalid shipment unit number ShipmentUnit.TrackTraceStatus: POD cannot be generated, the parcel is in the wrong state.
error: INVALID_SHIPMENT_ID
Content-Length: 0
args: ["ShipmentUnit.TrackTraceStatus","POD cannot be generated, the parcel is in the wrong state."]