Address validation

Frequently asked questions about the API

Plugins

What plugins are available?

You can find a list of plugins for Shopware, Magento, WooCommerce and more at the API implementation page.

Why do I have to pay extra for some plugins?

Free plugins are provided “as is” without support. Since there are many different plugins for different platforms, getting everything to work together can be a challenge. The source code of some free plugins is therefore freely accessible in order to help as much as possible the partners dedicated to the implementation to develop the site as they wish.

Paid versions are offered by third parties who provide support for their plugins. A contract is then concluded between two different parties. At Postcode.nl for the API and at a third party for the plugin. These contracts are independent of each other.

Your plugin is not listed?

No problem, the API can also be integrated using the technical documentation.

Test-API

How can I test the API?

When you create an account, this is always the first test access, so you are not entering a subscription yet. You have six months to test the API, and the number of validations you can perform in test access is capped.

After the test, it is necessary that you inform us that you are done and the subscription can begin. You then choose the subscription you want to take out.

More validations than orders

Why am I seeing more hits than orders in my API account?

In practice, the number of address requests never exactly matches the number of orders in an online store. There could be several reasons for this, like which plugin is used or in your own implementation.

The most common reasons are:

• The same addresses are often requested multiple times, for example because a user enters the same address multiple times or because the online store software checks the address in multiple places. Therefore, a single command can result in many queries. By temporarily storing a validated address (for example, up to a week), you prevent the same address from being collected unnecessarily by our service.
• Requests with incorrect postcodes or house numbers: These requests will never result in an address. Before initiating a query, verify that the postcode is complete and in the correct format, and that the house number begins with digits. Also make sure that an address cannot be verified until the user finishes typing.

Exceeding the validation limit

What happens if I exceed my current level limit?

First of all, don’t worry, the API will not be disabled if you exceed your limit. We believe it is important that the API keeps working, so that your customers can continue to order and your processes are not interrupted.

To keep you informed of your use, notifications are sent by email. This happens at 50%, 80%, and 100% of your limit.

At 100%, the subscription is automatically upgraded to a correct and corresponding level. The system examines the number of validations in the previous period during the current subscription period and makes a prognosis on the number of expected requests for the remainder of the subscription period.

In order to establish a correct estimate of the forecast, the upgrade will not occur in the first month of your subscription period.

Are you going to exceed level 5?

Based on the forecast, the expected consumption is billed in blocks of 10% of Tier 5 (i.e. 100 euros per Tier) and the unit prices per validation of this Tier also apply.

My API account and my subscription

How do I manage my API account and my subscription?

Request for credentials

When you log into the administration area with your administrator account, you will find an item called “Credentials” in the menu.

If you click on it, you will see the Key. The Secret was only sent by email at the time and cannot be retrieved. On this same page, you will find a button at the top right to create a new Key and a new Secret. They will then be sent automatically by email.

Edit invoice and / or account details

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to do this through the management environment. For any changes, please contact us directly by email.

Resumption of contract

For resuming and activating an old contract, please also contact us by email.

Cancellation of the subscription

API cancellations can be done by logging into the administration area, which must be done by the account administrator.

In the “Manage” menu, there is a “Subscription” section. It is possible to cancel the subscription here at the next opportunity.

Address Autocomplete API vs. Dutch Postal Code API

What is the difference between Address Autocomplete API and Dutch Postcode API?

Using the Address Autocomplete API, you can retrieve addresses for all available countries. This API is more extensive than the Dutch postcode API in terms of functionality. For example, you can not only complete addresses on the basis of a postcode and a house number, but you can also complete them using the automatic “auto complete” function. Useful if addresses are entered for which the postcode is not known. The Dutch postcode API works by relying solely on a postcode and a house number to obtain a complete address.

Can I use only one API?

You can of course use the APIs side by side. For example, addresses can be retrieved for all your customers using the Address Autocomplete API, and specifically for Dutch customers the Dutch Postcode API. Some plugins do this automatically, they choose the right API when an address request is made.

Why is the Address Autocomplete API more expensive than the Dutch Postcode API?

Addresses retrieved via the Address Autocomplete API have a higher unit price, because this API offers more features. This rate also applies when a Dutch postcode and house number are retrieved from the Address Autocomplete API.