Links

Managing SKUs

Learn how to manage SKUs and understand how their configuration affects downstream processes
Depending on how you send product data in create checkout or create checkout-session requests, SKUs can contain compliance and/or basic product data.
How you define SKUs influences numerous downstream processes. This includes whether a product is classified as physical or digital and who acts as its fulfillment coordinator.
Once defined, you have the option to either create or upsert a SKU. After that, a SKU can then be updated or deleted. We also provide you the ability to retrieve a SKU by its unique identifier or search for SKUs using optional filters.

How SKUs are classified as physical or digital

Defining a SKU

The following are some of a SKU's key definable attributes:
For comprehensive specifications, refer to the SKUs API reference page.

Unique identifier

A SKU's unique identifier is represented by id.
When creating SKUs, if you don't specify id, Digital River generates a value for you.
A product's identifier in your system should ideally match the SKU's id in our system. This ensures that synchronization is possible and that SKUs work properly during checkouts and checkout-sessions. As a result, it's best practice to (1) specify your own SKU id and (2) ensure it matches your product's universally unique identifier.
Some characters however are not allowed. If you submit a POST/skus and id contains one or more whitespaces, a 400 Bad Request is returned.
400 Bad Request
{
"type": "bad_request",
"errors": [
{
"code": "invalid_parameter",
"parameter": "id",
"message": "'UGG BB PUR 06' is not a valid SKU ID."
}
]
}
In the same request type, an id that contains certain special characters (such as /, [ , ] , { , } , < , >, and ^) results in a 500 Internal Server Error. Therefore, we recommend restricting a SKU's id to the following character set:
  • Numbers from 0 to 9
  • Upper case letters from A to Z
  • Lower case letters from a to z
  • Hyphens: -
  • Underscores: _

Country of origin

A SKU's countryOfOrigin is a two-letter Alpha-2 country code as described in the ISO 3166 international standard. It represents the country where a product was manufactured.
Invalid country codes return a 400 Bad Request:
{
"type": "bad_request",
"errors": [
{
"code": "invalid_parameter",
"parameter": "countryOfOrigin",
"message": "'KP' is not a valid Country of Origin."
}
]
}

ECCN

A SKU's eccn represents its Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). This value determines whether:
  • A product requires a U.S. export/re-export license
  • A product contains any other license requirements/restrictions
  • A product has an end use which is prohibited by applicable export control laws
Digital River's legal documentation lists ECCNs pre-approved for use in the Digital River APIs. In the table's description field, you may find additional requirements and restrictions that further limit the use of the ECCN.
Digital River can only resell products with these listed ECCNs. If you have a product with an ECCN that you'd like to be considered for addition to the list, please contact [email protected]​

Harmonized system code

A SKU's hsCode represents a Harmonized System code. By setting this parameter, you're flagging a physical product as eligible for cross-border shipping. When configuring the landed cost feature, setting a SKU's hsCode is one of the available options for sending HS code.
The format of the code is ####.##.####, where # represents a numeric digit between 0 and 9. The first six digits are mandatory. Any code longer than six digits but less than ten digits is optional and based on the country's preference. The period is not included in the character count.
Digital River only validates that the format of the Harmonized System code you provide is correct. We don't determine whether the code accurately classifies your product.
For example, the full ten-digit code for Jasmine rice in the United States is 1006.20.4025. If that's the value you specify, we don't check to make sure your product fits into that category.
Incorrectly formatted hsCode values return a 400 Bad Request:
JSON
{
"type": "bad_request",
"errors": [
{
"code": "invalid_parameter",
"parameter": "hsCode",
"message": "'1234.56.YW' is not a valid HS code."
}
]
}

SKU group identifier

The skuGroupId uniquely identifies the SKU group associated with the SKU. For more information, refer to the Grouping SKUs page.

Manufacturer id and part number

A SKU contains manufacturerId and partNumber fields. They are only applicable to physical products.
A SKU's manufacturerId signifies the unique identifier of a part/product's manufacturer.
A manufacturer part number (MPN) is a unique code issued by manufacturers to identify a part/product. This is represented by a SKU's partNumber.
MPNs are meant to be static identifiers of a part/product, universal to all distributors, wholesalers, and resellers. They allow customers to accurately identify exact parts and protect themselves from counterfeits.
If two parts/products originate from two different manufacturers, then each must have its own MPN. These identifiers are especially relevant for automotive and consumer electronics, due to the numerous parts in these complex products.

Managed fulfillments

Managed fulfillment requirements

In the orchestrated model, all the checkout's physical SKUs must meet the following requirements:
SKU attribute
Requirement
Sample error
managedFulfillment
The specified value must be DRGlobalFulfillment.
400 Bad Request
{ "type": "bad_request",
"errors": [ {
"code": "invalid_parameter", "parameter":"managedFulfillment", "message": "'DRGlobalFulfillment^&%^' is not a valid item type." }
] }
taxCode
The specified value must be associated with a physical product.
400 Bad Request
{ "type": "bad_request",
"errors": [ {
"code": "invalid_parameter", "parameter": "taxCode",
"message": "'4512.100' is not a valid parameter." }
] }
partNumber
The value must be specified.
400 Bad Request
{ "type": "bad_request",
"errors": [ {
"code": "invalid_parameter", "parameter": "partNumber", "message": "'null' is not a valid parameter." }
] }
manufacturerId
If you specify this value, then the partNumber must be valid. In other words, the combination of manufacturerId and partNumber must be correct.
409 Conflict
{ "type": "conflict",
"errors": [ {
"code": "invalid_parameter", "parameter": "manufacturerId", "message": "Invalid manufacturer ID. The manufacturer ID and manufacturer part # combination could not be found." }
] }

Creating and updating SKU-Inventory Item pairs

When you create or upsert a SKU that meets our managed fulfillment requirements, Digital River synchronously creates an associated inventory item. These SKU-inventory item pairs have shared attributes with identical values.
POST/skus
SKU
GET/inventory-items/{id}
Inventory Item
curl --location --request POST 'https://api.digitalriver.com/skus' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
...
--data-raw '{
"id": "sku_demo_1617140947939",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"countryOfOrigin": "DE",
"taxCode": "4323.310_A",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"name": "name_demo_1617140947939",
"weight": 8.88,
"weightUnit": "oz",
"metadata": {
"application": "iOS-LLL"
},
"managedFulfillment": "DRGlobalFulfillment"
}'
{
"id": "sku_demo_1617146803587",
"createdTime": "2021-03-30T23:26:43Z",
"name": "name_demo_1617146803587",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"taxCode": "4323.310_A",
"countryOfOrigin": "DE",
"metadata": {
"application": "iOS-LLL"
},
"weight": 8.88,
"weightUnit": "oz",
"fulfill": false,
"allowOversell": true,
"liveMode": false,
"managedFulfillment": "DRGlobalFulfillment",
"physical": true
}
curl --location --request GET 'https://api.digitalriver.com/inventory-items/sku_demo_1617146803587' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
...
--data-raw ''
{
"id": "sku_demo_1617146803587",
"manufacturerId": "20013",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"allowOversell": true,
"createdTime": "2021-03-30T23:26:43Z",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"countryOfOrigin": "DE",
"liveMode": false
}
Since the SKU's id and the inventory item's id are the same, you can use this value to describe items in checkouts, check inventory levels, request shipping quotes and make reservations.
Every subsequent modification of a managedFulfillment SKU (assuming the update SKU request satisfies our managed fulfillment requirements) synchronously updates the paired inventory item.
POST/skus/{id}
SKU
GET/inventory-items/{id}
Inventory Item
curl --location --request POST 'https://api.digitalriver.com/skus/sku_demo2_1617153759250' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
"countryOfOrigin": "US"
}'
{
"id": "sku_demo2_1617153759250",
"createdTime": "2021-03-31T01:22:39Z",
"name": "name_demo2_1617153759250",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"updatedTime": "2021-03-31T01:23:04Z",
"taxCode": "4323.310_A",
"countryOfOrigin": "US",
"metadata": {
"application": "iOS-LLL"
},
"weight": 8.88,
"weightUnit": "oz",
"fulfill": false,
"allowOversell": true,
"liveMode": false,
"managedFulfillment": "DRGlobalFulfillment",
"physical": true
}
curl --location --request GET 'https://api.digitalriver.com/inventory-items/sku_demo2_1617153759250' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
...
--data-raw ''
{
"id": "sku_demo2_1617153759250",
"manufacturerId": "20013",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"allowOversell": true,
"createdTime": "2021-03-31T01:22:43Z",
"updatedTime": "2021-03-31T01:23:04Z",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"countryOfOrigin": "US",
"liveMode": false
}
So, if you have an existing SKU, and you want to make Digital River its fulfillment coordinator, you can set managedFulfillment to DRGlobalFulfillment and then send this value (along with any other values that must be added or modified to satisfy our managed fulfillment requirements) in an update SKU request.
Once Digital River internally creates an inventory item, do not directly update or delete it through the Inventory Items API. These operations modify and delete the inventory item but do not affect its paired SKU.
When you want to remove Digital River as a product's fulfillment coordinator, set managedFulfillment to null in an update SKU request. This deletes the inventory item paired with the SKU. If you then attempt to retrieve the inventory item, you receive a 404 Not Found.
POST/skus/{id}
SKU
GET/inventory-items/{id}
Inventory Item
curl --location --request POST 'https://api.digitalriver.com/skus/sku_demo_1617153057380' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
...
--data-raw '{
"managedFulfillment": null
}'
{
"id": "sku_demo_1617153057380",
"createdTime": "2021-03-31T01:10:57Z",
"name": "name_demo_1617153057380",
"eccn": "EAR99",
"partNumber": "DEMOPARTNUMBER2",
"updatedTime": "2021-03-31T01:19:14Z",
"taxCode": "4323.310_A",
"countryOfOrigin": "DE",
"metadata": {
"application": "iOS-LLL"
},
"weight": 8.88,
"weightUnit": "oz",
"fulfill": false,
"allowOversell": true,
"liveMode": false,
"physical": true
}
curl --location --request GET 'https://api.digitalriver.com/inventory-items/sku_demo_1617153057380' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <API_key>' \
...
--data-raw ''
{
"type": "not_found",
"errors": [
{
"code": "not_found",
"parameter": "id",
"message": "InventoryItem 'sku_demo_1617153057380' not found."
}
]
}

Deleting SKU-Inventory Item pairs

A delete SKU request deletes both the SKU and the inventory item it's paired with.

Name and description

A SKU's name is required but description is optional.
In Drop-in Checkout, name is displayed in the order summary section of the checkout modal window.

Image and url

You can use a SKU's:
  • image to specify the URL of a resource that contains the product's image. This resource should be similar to the image(s) you display to customers while they are reviewing products and adding them to their cart.
  • url to specify the URL of a resource that contains the product's description.
In Drop-in Checkout, the image of each SKU referenced in the checkout-sessions' items[] is displayed in the order summary section of the checkout modal window.
In the Global logistics solution, depending on your logistics partner's setup, both image and url are often transferred to the transaction's customs documentation. This allows customs officials to obtain information about the product during the pre-clearance phase of an importation.
If your integration gives customers the option to use ApplePay, GooglePay, or Klarna then each of your SKUs must contain an image and url.

Weight and weight unit

For physical SKUs, you can provide the product’s weight measured by a weightUnit. The enumerated weightUnit values are oz, lb, g, and kg. If you provide a weight but not a weightUnit, then the value defaults to oz.
In some countries, such as Switzerland, custom officials use a product's weight when calculating import duties. As a result, without this data, we're unable to calculate landed costs.
If you send a create or update checkout request that contains a shipTo.address.country from one of these nations, and any SKU referenced in the checkout's items[] array is missing weight, then the following 400 Bad Request is thrown:
400 Bad Request
{
"type": "bad_request",
"errors": [
{
"code": "missing_parameter",
"message": "The weight is missing.",
"parameter": "weight"
}
]
}
So, if your site intends on selling physical products across international borders, we recommend that you define both weight and weightUnit for all of your catalog's physical SKUs.

Allow oversell

In version 2021-12-13 and later, you can no longer set a SKU's allowOversell attribute.
In Digital River coordinated fulfillments, you may decide to build your integration such that customers can reserve out of stock items or pre-order items not yet in stock. To do this, you can use the SKU's allowOversell flag.
If you set the flag to true, customers can reserve the item even when inventory is not available. When set to false, customers won't be able to place a hold on an item when its inventory levels are not sufficient.

Tax code

SKU's must contain a taxCode. This value determines whether a product gets classified as physical or digital and ensures that the correct tax is applied to the product. You can modify a SKU's taxCode in either an upsert or update SKU request.

Supported tax codes

The following table lists the tax codes currently supported by Digital River and whether they're associated with physical or digital products.
If you'd like to use a tax code not listed here, contact your account representative.
If a SKU's taxCode is in the table's physical grouping, then it's physical attribute is true . Conversely, if a SKU's taxCode is in the digital grouping, then physical is false.
Group
Type
Tax Code
Associated with physical or digital products?
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Digital Image
4512.100
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Virtual Goods
55111509.12
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Music
55111512.100
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Electronic Newspapers (Includes Subscriptions)
55111507.120
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Electronic Magazines (Includes Subscriptions)
55111506.120
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
Educational / Vocational Texts
55111513.120
Digital
Downloadable Goods (Non-Software)
eBooks
55111502.120
Digital
Food, Beverage & Household
Non-Prescription Vitamins
51191905
Physical
Food, Beverage & Household
Non-Prescription Drugs
5124
Physical
Food, Beverage & Household
Miscellaneous Supplies
47
Physical
Food, Beverage & Household
Food - General
50
Physical
Physical Goods
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitors
531316.150
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Stove
52141545.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Dehumidifier
4010.200
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Air Conditioner
4010.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Ceiling Fan
40101609.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Light Bulbs
39101629.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Freezer
52141506.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Refrigerator
52141501.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Washer
52141601.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Dryer
52141602.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Energy Star - Dishwasher
52141505.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Computer Supplies - Subscription
4321_S
Physical
Physical Goods
Mobile Devices
43211509
Physical
Physical Goods
Medical Equipment
42
Physical
Physical Goods
Consumer Electronics (Photographic, Filming, or Video Equipment)
4512
Physical
Physical Goods
Consumer Electronics (T.V., Monitor, Display) - Size (>4"<15")
52161500_C
Physical
Physical Goods
Consumer Electronics (T.V., Monitor, Display) - Size (= or >35")
52161500_B
Physical
Physical Goods
Consumer Electronics (T.V., Monitor, Display) - Size (= or >15"<35")
52161500_A
Physical
Physical Goods
Video Game Consoles and Accessories
601410
Physical
Physical Goods
Uniforms
531027
Physical
Physical Goods
Sports and Recreation Equipment
49
Physical
Physical Goods
School Supplies
441216
Physical
Physical Goods
School Instructional Materials
6010
Physical
Physical Goods
Safety Clothing (Not Suitable for Everyday Use)
461815.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Printed Media (Non-Subscription)
5510
Physical
Physical Goods
Newspapers (Includes Subscription)
55101504.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Magazines (Includes Subscriptions)
55101506.100
Physical
Physical Goods
General Merchandise
601410
Physical
Physical Goods
Consumer Electronics (Non-Computer)
5216
Physical
Physical Goods
Computers
4321_A
Physical
Physical Goods
Computer Supplies
4321_C
Physical
Physical Goods
Computer Peripheral Devices
4321_B
Physical
Physical Goods
Books - General Purpose
55101510
Physical
Physical Goods
Books - Educational and Vocational Texts
55101509
Physical
Physical Goods
Backpacks
53121603
Physical
Physical Goods
Apparel & Footwear (Everyday Use)
531029.100
Physical
Physical Goods
Apparel & Footwear (Athletic Use)
531029.200
Physical
Services & Miscellaneous
Installation Service Charges Provided by the Seller of TPP
70.360
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Mandatory Maintenance Agreements - Services and Upgrades, Only for Downloadable
81112201.121
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Computer Services
8111
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Consulting Services
70.60
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
General Services
70.100
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Gift Cards
70.120
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Mandatory Maintenance Agreements - Services and Upgrades, for Downloadable and Physical Products
81112201.120
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Non-warranty Repairs
70.150
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Online Data Storage
811121
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Optional Maintenance Agreements - Services and Upgrades, for Downloadable Products
81112201.420
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Optional Maintenance Agreements - Services and Upgrades, for Physical Products
81112201.410
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Optional Maintenance Agreements - Services Only, for Downloadable and Physical Products
81112201.200
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Seminar Classes
70.300
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Software Training
70.280
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Technical Support
811118.100
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Virtual Currency
70.120_A
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Membership Dues - General
70.220
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Membership Dues & Professional Organization
70.222
Digital
Services & Miscellaneous
Web Hosting
81112105
Digital
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Backup Media (CD/DVD) - One Disc per Order
4323.310_B
Physical
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Software as a Service
81112106
Digital
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Physical Software (Gaming Only)
4323.310_E
Physical
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Physical Software (Non-Gaming)
4323.310_A
Physical
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Physical Media Kits
4323.310_D
Physical
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Backup Media (CD/DVD) - One Disc per Product
4323.310_C
Physical
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Downloadable Media Kits
4323.320_C
Digital
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Downloadable Software (Gaming Only)
4323.320_D
Digital
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Downloadable Software (Non-Gaming, Includes Software Subscriptions)
4323.320_A
Digital
Software (Downloadable & Physical)
Extended Download Service
4323.320_B
Digital
Warranties
Optional Warranties - Purchased at Time of Sale of for Consumer Goods, Labor Only
95.210
Digital
Warranties
Optional Warranties - NOT Purchased at Time of Sale of for Consumer Goods, Parts & Labor
95.222
Digital
Warranties
Optional Warranties - NOT Purchased at Time of Sale of for Consumer Goods, Labor Only
95.220
Digital
Warranties
Mandatory Warranties
95.100
Digital
Warranties