ShipVAT

ShipVAT is an API for calculating VAT, sales tax, and GST in supported jurisdictions. The maker lists the EU, UK, US, Canada, and Australia, and describes economic nexus threshold intelligence for all 50 US states and beyond. Its API documentation covers tax calculations, rate and threshold lookups, transaction and customer management, VAT validation, compliance reports, webhooks, and address validation. ShipVAT says rate records include a source URL, verification timestamp, and effective dates, and that its tax data draws on official sources such as EU TEDB, HMRC, IRS, CRA, and ATO. Developers can use a TypeScript SDK, OpenAPI 3.0, Swagger UI, or curl examples; endpoints use Bearer-token authentication with test and live key formats. The API is described as working with Paddle, LemonSqueezy, PayPal, or any payment stack. ShipVAT offers a free plan with 100 calls per month and a Pro plan at $49/mo with 50,000 calls per month. A 3-day trial is listed. The product is identified as part of Achronon.

ShipVAT combines tax calculations with rate, threshold, transaction, and compliance capabilities in an API. Its free plan has a 100-call monthly limit, while Pro costs $49/mo for 50,000 calls.

ShipVAT may suit developers or businesses that need tax calculations and related compliance tools through an API. Its listed integrations and SDK and API documentation may also be useful to teams building around payment stacks.

ShipVAT is a tax API for software teams that need VAT, sales tax, or GST calculations across multiple markets. Its developer tools and broad set of tax operations make it a practical fit for integrating into an existing payment stack, but the free plan’s 100-call monthly cap is too low for most production workloads.

Overview

ShipVAT covers 93 jurisdictions, with the EU, UK, US, Canada, and Australia among its supported regions. It connects with Paddle, LemonSqueezy, PayPal, or other payment stacks, so teams can add tax operations without being limited to one named payment provider.

ShipVAT says its tax data is curated from official sources such as EU TEDB, HMRC, IRS, CRA, and ATO. Each rate includes a source URL, verification timestamp, and effective dates. That traceability is useful when developers need to understand where a rate came from and when it applies; it does not by itself settle a business’s compliance obligations.

Key features

The API handles tax calculations, rates and thresholds, transactions and customers, VAT ID validation, compliance reports, webhooks, and address validation. Economic nexus threshold intelligence covers all 50 US states and beyond, and ShipVAT supports exemption certificates. This breadth can reduce the number of separate tax workflows an engineering team has to assemble, though using the API still requires implementation work.

Developer resources include a TypeScript SDK, OpenAPI 3.0, Swagger UI, and curl examples. Endpoints use Bearer-token authentication, with separate test and live API key formats. These resources give developers several ways to explore and connect the service; the API-first approach is less suited to organizations seeking a turnkey, nontechnical tax application.

Pricing

The Free plan costs $0 forever and allows 100 API calls per month. It includes tax calculation across supported jurisdictions, address validation, the TypeScript SDK, transaction recording, customer management, VAT ID validation, and compliance reports. That is a useful no-cost way to evaluate a broad slice of the service, but the call limit makes it a poor fit for regular customer traffic.

Pro costs $49/mo, billed monthly, for 50,000 API calls per month. It adds batch operations, webhooks, and email support with a 24h SLA. This is the natural step up for a team moving beyond a small integration or needing those operational features, although the fixed quota still matters as usage grows.

Enterprise has custom pricing and unlimited API calls, dedicated support, a 99.99% SLA, and volume discounts. It also offers custom integrations and export formats; an on-premise option is marked Coming Soon. This tier is aimed at organizations with higher volume or support requirements, but its custom price makes direct budget comparison difficult. ShipVAT advertises a 3-day trial; no separate trial terms are stated.

Platforms

ShipVAT is offered through an API and the web. The API is central to its value: teams can connect its tax capabilities to a commerce or payment stack, while the web platform provides another access point. No mobile platform is listed.

Who it's for

ShipVAT is best suited to development teams serving multiple jurisdictions that want tax calculations, nexus thresholds, transaction records, and compliance reporting available through an API. Its broad jurisdiction coverage and payment-stack flexibility are especially relevant when a business already has a checkout flow to extend. Teams with very low call needs can start free, while those expecting ongoing production volume should assess Pro’s 50,000-call ceiling or request Enterprise pricing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: 93-jurisdiction coverage and support for named regions across Europe, North America, and Australia make it relevant to international operations.
• Pros: Rate provenance includes source URLs, verification timestamps, and effective dates, giving teams concrete context for tax-rate data.
• Pros: The API combines calculations with transaction and customer management, VAT validation, reports, and address validation.
• Cons: The Free plan’s 100 monthly calls are a narrow allowance for production use, despite its wide feature set.
• Cons: Pro’s 50,000-call monthly limit may require teams with higher traffic to move to a custom-priced Enterprise plan.
• Cons: An API-centered service requires development work and is not the clearest fit for buyers seeking a standalone tax tool.

Alternatives

Zamp is worth considering for teams that want to begin with a 30-day sandbox or are looking for audit-ready U.S. compliance while scaling.

Yonda Tax is another option for teams seeking free nexus monitoring, worldwide tax-liability calculations, and tax advice and support.

Kintsugi may suit teams prioritizing global physical and economic nexus monitoring, historical-liability auditing, and risk assessment.

CCH SureTax offers technology-only, file-and-remit, and fully outsourced service options for teams comparing different levels of tax-return support.

Taxually is an alternative for buyers looking at tax-authority payments or yearly reporting, including a listed €5, paid once payment option and a €150 a year reporting option.

Complyt is another paid option available through API and web.

Taxolio may fit teams seeking managed compliance by state, with a listed plan at $99 a month for two states and additional states priced separately.

Vertex e-Invoicing is an alternative for teams focused on e-invoicing; its country and jurisdiction coverage varies, and periodic VAT compliance reporting is an add-on.

For broader comparisons, browse Sales Tax Software or Tax Engine Software.

Verdict

ShipVAT is a strong candidate for engineering teams that want a broad, API-based tax toolkit with traceable rate data and support across 93 jurisdictions. Its main advantage is the combination of calculation, nexus, transaction, and compliance functions in one integration; its main drawback is that the free quota is small and production growth can push buyers toward a $49/mo plan or custom Enterprise pricing. Choose it when your team can build around an API and needs broad coverage; look elsewhere if you want a turnkey application or a higher free usage ceiling.