# 5-Minute Quickstart
This tutorial walks you through setting up API authentication, estimating multi-carrier shipping fares, and booking your first parcel delivery in under 5 minutes.
Step 1: Obtain Your Secret API Key
1. Create a merchant or enterprise account on the [Tumr Send Dashboard](https://send.tumr.app/register).
2. Navigate to Settings > API Keys in the sidebar.
3. Copy your Secret API Key (e.g. ak_test_sec_9942a0b1...).
Include this key in the Authorization header of every API request:
``http
Authorization: Bearer ak_test_sec_9942a0b1...
Step 2: Compare Carrier Rates & ETAs Submit pickup and destination coordinates to evaluate available couriers:
curl -X POST https://api.tumr.app/api/v1/rates/ \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SECRET_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"pickup_latitude": 6.4281,
"pickup_longitude": 3.4219,
"dropoff_latitude": 6.5244,
"dropoff_longitude": 3.3792,
"package_weight_kg": 2.5,
"declared_value": 15000.00,
"pickup_country": "NG"
}'Sample Response:
``json
{
"direct_distance_km": "11.62",
"is_rider_coverable": true,
"recommended_mode": "marketplace",
"currency": "NGN",
"rates": [
{
"rate_id": "rate_mkp_exp_8820ab12",
"rate_token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmdWxmaWxsbWVudF9tb2RlIjoibWFya2V0cGxhY2UiLCJzZXJ2aWNlX2xldmVsIjoiRVhQUkVTUyIsInRvdGFsIjoiMjQ1MC4wMCJ9...",
"fulfillment_mode": "marketplace",
"service_level": "EXPRESS",
"service_name": "Express Rush Delivery",
"provider": "Tumr Marketplace Rider Network",
"total": "2450.00",
"currency": "NGN",
"distance_km": "11.62",
"estimated_duration_minutes": 29,
"badge": "express / On-Demand",
"breakdown": {
"base_fare": "1500.00",
"distance_fee": "800.00",
"weight_fee": "150.00",
"protection_fee": "0.00"
}
}
],
"marketplace_rates": [...],
"carrier_rates": [...],
"pickup_points": []
}
Step 3: Book the Delivery
Create the shipment and pass the cryptographic rate_token returned from the rates step to lock in the quoted fare:
curl -X POST https://api.tumr.app/api/v1/shipments/ \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SECRET_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"merchant_reference": "ORDER-2026-0924",
"customer_name": "Ada Okafor",
"customer_phone": "+2348012345678",
"pickup_address": "12 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos",
"pickup_latitude": 6.4281,
"pickup_longitude": 3.4219,
"dropoff_address": "45 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos",
"dropoff_latitude": 6.5244,
"dropoff_longitude": 3.3792,
"package_weight_kg": 2.5,
"declared_value": 15000.00,
"pickup_country": "NG",
"rate_token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmdWxmaWxsbWVudF9tb2RlIjoibWFya2V0cGxhY2UiLCJzZXJ2aWNlX2xldmVsIjoiRVhQUkVTUyIsInRvdGFsIjoiMjQ1MC4wMCJ9...",
"package_description": "Electronics (Headphones)"
}'