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Introduction

In the fast-paced world of logistics, freight forwarders face numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to compliance and real-time tracking of shipments. The complexities of managing multiple data sources for fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier information can lead to inefficiencies and increased operational costs. As supply chains become more intricate, the need for a consolidated solution that provides real-time logistics intelligence has never been more critical.

FreightPulse offers a powerful REST API that addresses these challenges by consolidating essential logistics data into a single, easy-to-use interface. By leveraging FreightPulse, freight forwarders can streamline their operations, enhance compliance, and improve decision-making processes, all while reducing the time and resources spent on managing disparate data sources.


Why FreightPulse

FreightPulse stands out in the logistics landscape for several reasons, each providing concrete benefits for developers and operators alike:


Quick Start

Getting started with FreightPulse is straightforward. The base URL for the API is:

https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1

To make your first request, you will need to include the X-API-Key header in your cURL command. Here’s an example of how to retrieve national diesel and gasoline prices:

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/fuel-prices"

The expected JSON response will look like this:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"timestamp": "2026-07-30T12:00:00Z",
"source": "EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration)",
"currency": "USD",
"unit": "gallon",
"data": {
"diesel": {
"national_average": 3.847,
"change_week": -0.023,
"change_percent": -0.6,
"regions": {
"east_coast": 3.912,
"midwest": 3.756,
"gulf_coast": 3.623,
"rocky_mountain": 3.891,
"west_coast": 4.456,
"california": 4.892
},
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.82,
"90d_avg": 3.75,
"yoy_change_percent": -8.2
}
},
"gasoline": {
"national_average": 3.156,
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.1,
"90d_avg": 3.05,
"yoy_change_percent": 1.1
}
}
}
}
}

In this response, key fields include:


Core Endpoints

FreightPulse provides several core endpoints that are essential for logistics operations. Below are three key endpoints relevant to real-time customs tracking:

1. GET /fuel-prices

This endpoint retrieves national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD region and historical averages.

Key Parameters: None required.

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/fuel-prices"

Sample JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"timestamp": "2026-07-30T12:00:00Z",
"source": "EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration)",
"currency": "USD",
"unit": "gallon",
"data": {
"diesel": {
"national_average": 3.847,
"change_week": -0.023,
"change_percent": -0.6,
"regions": {
"east_coast": 3.912,
"midwest": 3.756,
"gulf_coast": 3.623,
"rocky_mountain": 3.891,
"west_coast": 4.456,
"california": 4.892
},
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.82,
"90d_avg": 3.75,
"yoy_change_percent": -8.2
}
},
"gasoline": {
"national_average": 3.156,
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.1,
"90d_avg": 3.05,
"yoy_change_percent": 1.1
}
}
}
}
}

Field Explanations:


2. GET /freight-rates

This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, enabling freight forwarders to quickly assess shipping costs.

Key Parameters: mode, origin_zip, destination_zip, pickup_date, qty, total_weight_lb, container_size (for ocean).

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/freight-rates?mode=trucking&origin_zip=10001&destination_zip=90210"

Sample JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"mode": "trucking",
"service": "FTL (53' dry van)",
"source": "Warp",
"price_usd": 7207.92,
"transit_days": 4,
"pickup_date": "2026-08-24",
"delivery_date": "2026-08-28"
}
}

Field Explanations:


3. GET /port-congestion

This endpoint provides insights into port activity, helping freight forwarders assess congestion levels at major ports.

Key Parameters: port, country, region, congestion (optional).

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/port-congestion?port=USLAX"

Sample JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"results": [
{
"port": "Los Angeles-Long Beach",
"locode": "US LAX",
"country": "United States",
"congestion": "moderate",
"as_of": "2026-08-14",
"metrics": {
"recent_avg_portcalls_per_day": 8.7,
"baseline_avg_portcalls_per_day": 10.2,
"ratio_vs_baseline": 0.85
}
}
]
}
}

Field Explanations:


Real-World Use Cases

FreightPulse's API can be leveraged in various ways to enhance logistics operations. Here are three concrete examples:


FAQ

How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?

Fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data available. This frequency allows logistics operators to make informed decisions based on the latest market conditions.

Can I look up ocean carriers as well as trucking carriers?

Yes, FreightPulse supports lookups for both ocean carriers and trucking carriers through the /carriers endpoint. This comprehensive approach ensures that logistics operators have access to all necessary carrier information.

Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?

No, the port congestion data provided by FreightPulse is based on a 7-day average and is not real-time. It serves as a lagged approximation, allowing users to assess congestion trends rather than immediate vessel wait times.


Conclusion

In an increasingly complex logistics landscape, having access to real-time data is essential for freight forwarders and logistics operators. FreightPulse offers a comprehensive solution that consolidates critical logistics intelligence into a single API, enabling users to streamline operations, enhance compliance, and improve decision-making processes.

By leveraging FreightPulse, teams can build powerful tools that address specific challenges in the supply chain, from fuel-surcharge calculators to port-congestion dashboards. The ability to access live freight rates, fuel prices, and disruption alerts from one source not only saves time but also reduces costs associated with managing multiple data feeds.

Ready to transform your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free and discover how our API can help you overcome compliance challenges and enhance your supply chain efficiency.