Shopify API inventory_id: What You Need to Know

A frequent pain point for Shopify store owners, especially those using custom integrations, is accurately tracking and managing the inventory. This often involves wrestling with the inventory_item_id within the Shopify API.

Incorrectly handling this ID can lead to overselling, stockouts, and frustrated customers receiving backorder notifications.

So through this blog, I’ll explain how the Shopify experts handle the API inventory_item_id to streamline the inventory management and avoid any costly errors.

What is Inventory Item ID?

In Shopify, every product variant that you create is linked to an inventory item. This inventory item holds the key information related to the stock and movement of the product, such as its SKU (Stock Keeping Unit), quantity, and whether the inventory for the product is tracked.

The inventory_item_id is the unique identifier assigned to each inventory item within the Shopify system. It allows developers and merchants to interact with specific products and their stock levels, making it easier to update and manage inventory data across various sales channels.

Key Features of inventory_item_id

• Uniqueness: Each inventory item, tied to a specific product variant, has a unique ID that helps differentiate one product’s stock from another’s.
• Direct link to product variants: Every product variant (for example, size or color variations of a product) has an associated inventory_item_id. This ID is used to track its stock quantity and other details across locations.
• Access to stock information: Using this ID, developers can retrieve detailed information about the product’s stock levels, locations, and movement.

The inventory_item_id is a crucial element in Shopify’s inventory management, as it links each product variant to its stock information. This unique identifier simplifies tracking, updating, and managing inventory across multiple locations.

By understanding its role, merchants and developers can ensure that their inventory systems run smoothly. That helps maintain accurate stock levels and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers.

How to Work with Shopify API inventory_item_id?

The inventory_item_id is a crucial identifier when managing inventory via the Shopify API. It represents a specific variant of a product in your Shopify store. Here’s how it works:

Accessing the inventory_item_id

To interact with the inventory_item_id, you can use both Shopify’s REST API and GraphQL API. Both APIs allow you to retrieve product variants and their associated inventory_item_id.

Using the REST API

When you fetch product variants through the REST API, the response includes the inventory_item_id of each variant. Here’s an example of how to retrieve a product’s variants along with their inventory_item_id:

GET /admin/api/2023-10/products/{product_id}/variants.json

In the response, each variant object will contain an inventory_item_id field:

{
  "variants": [
    {
      "id": 123456789,
      "inventory_item_id": 987654321,
      "title": "Size Medium",
      "price": "19.99"
    }
  ]
}

Using the GraphQL API

With GraphQL, you can use the inventoryItem query to retrieve detailed information about a specific inventory item. This includes its inventory_item_id, stock levels, and SKU. Here’s an example query:

{
  inventoryItem(id: "gid://shopify/InventoryItem/987654321") {
    id
    sku
    tracked
    quantityAvailable
  }
}

Updating Inventory Levels

To update stock quantities, you need the inventory_item_id and the location_id (representing the physical location). This allows you to update the stock levels at a specific location.

Example: Adjust Inventory via REST API

To adjust inventory levels, Shopify provides an endpoint that lets you modify the quantity available for a specific inventory item at a particular location.

POST /admin/api/2023-10/inventory_levels/adjust.json

Here’s an example body for adjusting the inventory:

{
  "inventory_item_id": 987654321,
  "location_id": 123456789,
  "available_adjustment": 10
}

This API call would increase the available stock for the specified inventory_item_id by 10 units at the specified location.

Retrieving Inventory Levels

To retrieve the current stock level for a product variant, you can use the inventory_levels API. It provides information about how much stock is available at a specific location.

Example: Fetch Inventory Levels via REST API

GET /admin/api/2023-10/inventory_levels.json?inventory_item_ids=987654321

The response will show the current stock available at various locations.

{
  "inventory_levels": [
    {
      "inventory_item_id": 987654321,
      "location_id": 123456789,
      "available": 50
    }
  ]
}

Managing your inventory using Shopify API and the inventory_item_id is a crucial part of managing the store. So if you want professional help with that, consult with our Shopify development company.

What are Inventory ID and Inventory Item ID in Shopify?

In Shopify, the terms inventory ID and inventory item ID may seem similar, but they serve different purposes within the inventory management system.

Inventory Item ID

This is the primary identifier for each product variant in your store. It is a unique number assigned to every product or variant that allows Shopify to track stock levels, manage inventory across multiple locations, and facilitate operations like stock adjustments and transfers.

The inventory_item_id is used extensively in the current version of Shopify’s API to interact with product stock.

Inventory ID

While this term was used in earlier versions of Shopify’s inventory management system, it is less commonly referenced today. In some instances, the inventory ID may still be used in older API calls or in specific cases related to stock management, but it does not play a central role in the current inventory system.

Unlike the inventory_item_id, the inventory_id does not track the actual product stock or its availability.

In short, the inventory item ID is the unique and active identifier used to manage stock in Shopify today, whereas the inventory ID refers to older terminology that is less relevant in the modern inventory system.

The Role of Inventory Item ID in Shopify’s Ecosystem

Shopify’s inventory management system is designed to handle inventory across multiple locations. That makes it easier for merchants to manage stock in different warehouses or retail locations. The inventory_item_id plays a central role in this system by linking product variants to their physical stock.

Inventory Items and Product Variants

A product variant represents a specific version of a product, such as a red t-shirt in size medium or a pair of shoes in size 10. When you create a product variant, Shopify automatically generates an inventory_item_id for it. This ID is used to uniquely track and manage the stock levels associated with that particular variant.

Multi-location Support

Shopify’s multi-location inventory feature allows merchants to track stock levels across different warehouses, retail locations, or fulfillment centers. The inventory_item_id is crucial for managing this process. It helps link a specific product variant to its stock level at each location, making it possible to update and monitor stock quantities accurately.

Inventory Movement

The inventory_item_id is also used when you need to perform inventory actions such as:

• Restocking: Adding new stock to an existing inventory item.
• Reducing Stock: Updating the stock quantity as products are sold or returned.
• Transfers: Moving stock between different locations.

If you want help with these functionalities of inventory_item_id, get our Shopify development services.

Effective Strategies for Managing Inventory with Inventory Item ID

Let’s take a look at the top strategies that will help ensure the best results for your inventory management in your Shopify store.

Ensure Proper Stock Tracking

Make sure that inventory tracking is enabled for all products and variants. Without inventory tracking, the inventory_item_id won’t be linked to any stock quantity, making it difficult to manage inventory.

Use Multiple Locations Wisely

If your store operates across multiple locations (e.g., warehouses, retail stores), it is crucial to assign inventory to specific locations using the inventory_item_id and location_id. This will help ensure accurate stock management across all locations.

Batch Updates

When updating stock quantities for multiple inventory items, consider using batch operations to reduce the number of API requests. Shopify’s API allows you to update stock levels in bulk, making it more efficient to manage inventory for large stores.

Error Handling

Ensure proper error handling when making API calls to update inventory. If there’s an issue with the inventory_item_id, such as the item not existing or the stock quantity being invalid, handle these errors gracefully to avoid disrupting your inventory system.

Monitor Inventory Movement

Regularly monitor inventory movements (additions, reductions, transfers) to ensure your stock levels remain accurate. This can be done by setting up webhooks to get notifications whenever an inventory level is adjusted.

Following these strategies to the tee will ensure you can handle the inventory effectively.

FAQs on Shopify API inventory_item_id

Let’s Conclude

The inventory_item_id is a critical part of Shopify’s inventory management, enabling merchants and developers to efficiently track and manage stock across multiple locations. By leveraging Shopify’s REST and GraphQL APIs, users can seamlessly update stock quantities, monitor inventory movements, and maintain accurate stock levels.

Utilizing the inventory_item_id allows for building robust workflows that enhance order fulfillment, prevent stock outs or overstocking, and streamline operations across warehouses, retail stores, and fulfillment centers.

For developers and store owners, mastering this unique identifier is essential for creating a scalable, efficient, and well-organized inventory system. So if you want professional help with it, let’s have a consultation today!