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PrimeFreight Tracking API

PrimeFreight offers a tracking API that enables businesses to monitor ocean freight shipments. This API provides access to shipment information and status updates from shipping lines.

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What the API Does

  • Create tracking requests
    • Use bill of lading or container numbers
    • Provide carrier SCAC
    • Kick off shipment tracking
  • Retrieve tracking information
    • Check tracking request status
    • Access shipment data when available
    • View request details
  • Receive webhook notifications
    • Real-time success/failure updates
    • Shipment changes and status updates
  • Get container details
    • Status, terminal info, relationships
    • Availability, last free day, rail metadata (when available)
  • Get container raw events
    • Past and future (estimated) milestones from carriers
    • Original carrier event text with normalized event/timestamp fields
  • Get container transport events
    • Vetted, normalized milestones for reliable timelines
    • Reduced false positives with standardized event types

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Authentication

Before calling other endpoints, obtain an access token.
  • Endpoint: POST /auth/tokens
  • Headers: Content-Type: application/json
  • Body (JSON): { "username": "primefreight", "password": "pass123" }
Example request: 
curl -X POST \
  https://api.primefreight.com/auth/tokens \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"username":"primefreight","password":"pass123"}'
Use the returned token in the Authorization header for subsequent requests: 
curl https://api.primefreight.com/tracking_requests/{id} \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer <token>'

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API Architecture

The API follows RESTful principles with JSON:API specification for consistent data formatting. All endpoints require authentication using bearer tokens.

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Core Endpoints

  1. POST /auth/tokens - Obtain an access token
  2. POST /tracking_requests - Create a new tracking request
  3. GET /tracking_requests/ - Retrieve tracking request details
  4. GET /containers/ - Retrieve container details
  5. GET /containers//raw_events - Retrieve container raw events
  6. GET /containers//transport_events - Retrieve container transport events
  7. Webhooks - Receive real-time status notifications

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Technical Specifications

  • API Version: v1
  • Base URL: https://api.primefreight.com
  • Data Format: JSON:API specification
  • Authentication: Bearer token via Authorization header
  • Webhook Support: Real-time event notifications

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Use Cases

The PrimeFreight Tracking API serves basic tracking needs:

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Shipment Monitoring

  • Track individual shipments using available identifiers
  • Monitor tracking request status
  • Receive notifications about tracking results

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Integration

  • Integrate tracking capabilities into existing systems
  • Build custom tracking interfaces
  • Automate tracking request creation