get_rates

Get shipping rates for a package between two addresses. Returns available service options with prices, transit times, and delivery guarantees. Omit the service code to get rates for ALL available services (shop rates). Common codes: 03=Ground, 02=2nd Day Air, 01=Next Day Air, 12=3 Day Select.

Server UPS MCP Server roscoej/ups-mcp
Category Read
Risk class Low
Parameters 00 required

What get_rates does on UPS MCP Server

AI agents call get_rates to retrieve information from UPS MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Why get_rates needs a policy

get_rates queries the UPS API to retrieve rate information for specified addresses and service types. It performs no data modification, deletion, or external operations—it only retrieves and displays information. No financial transaction is committed (rates are informational quotes, not actual charges or payment processing).

From the tool's definition Tool retrieves shipping rates and returns available service options with prices and transit times. The verb 'Get' and the description 'Returns available service options' indicate a read-only query operation with no side effects.

Questions about get_rates

What does the get_rates tool do? +

Get shipping rates for a package between two addresses. Returns available service options with prices, transit times, and delivery guarantees. Omit the service code to get rates for ALL available services (shop rates). Common codes: 03=Ground, 02=2nd Day Air, 01=Next Day Air, 12=3 Day Select. It is categorised as a Read tool in the UPS MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_rates? +

Register the UPS MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_rates: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches UPS MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_rates? +

get_rates is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_rates? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_rates rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block get_rates completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_rates. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides get_rates? +

get_rates is provided by the UPS MCP Server MCP server (roscoej/ups-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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