How to Ship Freight Programmatically

Why ship freight programmatically?

Every other infrastructure category is programmable. Payments have Stripe. Communications have Twilio. Compute has AWS. But freight, the $800 billion industry that moves physical goods across the country, still runs on phone calls, email chains, and web portals. Most shippers still copy and paste addresses into carrier websites, wait for emailed rate confirmations, and call brokers for tracking updates. This is the last major infrastructure category waiting to be automated.

Programmatic freight matters when your systems need to move goods without human intervention. Your warehouse management system needs to auto ship orders the moment they are packed. Your marketplace needs to offer real time shipping rates at checkout. Your supply chain software needs to pull carrier rates across multiple modes and book the best option. Your AI agents need to move physical goods as part of a larger automated workflow. In all of these cases, logging into a portal and clicking buttons is not an option.

The tools you need: a freight REST API for quoting, booking, and tracking. A CLI for terminal workflows, scripts, and AI coding agents. Webhooks for real time event notifications so your system knows the moment freight is picked up, in transit, or delivered. Warp provides all three. One API key gives you access to LTL, truckload, box truck, and cargo van capacity across 20,000+ local 3rd party carriers.

Step 1: Choose your integration method

There are three ways to ship freight programmatically with Warp. Choose based on your use case.

Step 2: Get a freight quote

Every programmatic freight workflow starts with a quote. Send your origin, destination, pickup date, and item details to the quote endpoint. Warp returns a rate with transit time, carrier, and a quote ID you will use to book.

curl -X POST https://api.wearewarp.com/api/v1/freights/quote \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "apikey: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "pickupDate": ["2026-04-10"],
    "pickupInfo": {
      "zipCode": "90001",
      "city": "Los Angeles",
      "state": "CA",
      "street": "123 Warehouse Blvd",
      "contactName": "Dispatch Team",
      "phone": "3105551234"
    },
    "deliveryInfo": {
      "zipCode": "85001",
      "city": "Phoenix",
      "state": "AZ",
      "street": "456 Distribution Dr",
      "contactName": "Receiving Dock",
      "phone": "6025551234"
    },
    "listItems": [{
      "name": "Pallet - Retail Goods",
      "length": 48, "width": 40, "height": 48,
      "sizeUnit": "in",
      "totalWeight": 800, "weightUnit": "lb",
      "quantity": 2,
      "packaging": "pallet",
      "stackable": false
    }],
    "shipmentType": "LTL"
  }'

import requests

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.wearewarp.com/api/v1/freights/quote",
    headers={
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        "apikey": "YOUR_API_KEY"
    },
    json={
        "pickupDate": ["2026-04-10"],
        "pickupInfo": {
            "zipCode": "90001",
            "city": "Los Angeles",
            "state": "CA",
            "street": "123 Warehouse Blvd",
            "contactName": "Dispatch Team",
            "phone": "3105551234"
        },
        "deliveryInfo": {
            "zipCode": "85001",
            "city": "Phoenix",
            "state": "AZ",
            "street": "456 Distribution Dr",
            "contactName": "Receiving Dock",
            "phone": "6025551234"
        },
        "listItems": [{
            "name": "Pallet - Retail Goods",
            "length": 48, "width": 40, "height": 48,
            "sizeUnit": "in",
            "totalWeight": 800, "weightUnit": "lb",
            "quantity": 2,
            "packaging": "pallet",
            "stackable": False
        }],
        "shipmentType": "LTL"
    }
)

quote = response.json()
print(f"Quote ID: {quote['data']['quoteId']}")
print(f"Price: ${quote['data']['totalCost']}")
print(f"Transit: {quote['data']['transitDays']} days")

# In Claude Code or Cursor, just describe what you need:
#
# "Get me an LTL freight quote from Los Angeles 90001
#  to Phoenix 85001 for 2 pallets, 800 lbs each,
#  48x40x48 inches. Use the Warp API."
#
# The AI reads the API docs, generates the correct
# POST request, and returns the quote.

{
  "data": {
    "quoteId": "01HG9W6CMAWHNWTVXDKW9QYFS9",
    "carrierCode": "WTCH",
    "carrierName": "Warp Technology",
    "serviceLevel": "standard",
    "transitDays": 2,
    "totalCost": 485.00,
    "pickupWindow": { "from": "08:00", "to": "17:00" },
    "deliveryWindow": { "from": "08:00", "to": "17:00" }
  }
}

Key fields: quoteId is the identifier you pass to the booking endpoint. totalCost is the all inclusive price with no fuel surcharges or hidden fees. transitDays is the estimated transit time. Omit vehicleType and Warp automatically selects the right vehicle for your freight.

Step 3: Book the shipment

Once you have a quote, book it by passing the quoteId along with full pickup and delivery contact details. Warp returns a shipment ID, tracking number, and order ID.

curl -X POST https://api.wearewarp.com/api/v1/freights/booking \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "apikey: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "quoteId": "01HG9W6CMAWHNWTVXDKW9QYFS9",
    "pickupInfo": {
      "zipCode": "90001",
      "city": "Los Angeles",
      "state": "CA",
      "street": "123 Warehouse Blvd",
      "contactName": "Dispatch Team",
      "phone": "3105551234",
      "specialInstruction": "Dock 4, call 30 min before arrival"
    },
    "deliveryInfo": {
      "zipCode": "85001",
      "city": "Phoenix",
      "state": "AZ",
      "street": "456 Distribution Dr",
      "contactName": "Receiving Dock",
      "phone": "6025551234",
      "specialInstruction": "Receiving hours 7am-3pm"
    },
    "listItems": [{
      "name": "Pallet - Retail Goods",
      "length": 48, "width": 40, "height": 48,
      "sizeUnit": "in",
      "totalWeight": 800, "weightUnit": "lb",
      "quantity": 2,
      "packaging": "pallet",
      "stackable": false
    }],
    "deliveryServices": ["delivery-appointment"]
  }'

const response = await fetch(
  "https://api.wearewarp.com/api/v1/freights/booking",
  {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
      "Content-Type": "application/json",
      "apikey": process.env.WARP_API_KEY
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      quoteId: "01HG9W6CMAWHNWTVXDKW9QYFS9",
      pickupInfo: {
        zipCode: "90001",
        city: "Los Angeles",
        state: "CA",
        street: "123 Warehouse Blvd",
        contactName: "Dispatch Team",
        phone: "3105551234"
      },
      deliveryInfo: {
        zipCode: "85001",
        city: "Phoenix",
        state: "AZ",
        street: "456 Distribution Dr",
        contactName: "Receiving Dock",
        phone: "6025551234"
      },
      listItems: [{
        name: "Pallet - Retail Goods",
        length: 48, width: 40, height: 48,
        sizeUnit: "in",
        totalWeight: 800, weightUnit: "lb",
        quantity: 2, packaging: "pallet",
        stackable: false
      }]
    })
  }
);

const booking = await response.json();
console.log("Tracking:", booking.data.trackingNumber);

{
  "data": {
    "shipmentId": "shp_01HGA2K9MNPQ4RV8XW3YZ5TJ6",
    "shipmentNumber": "WRP-2026-041542",
    "orderId": "ord_01HGA2K9MNPQ4RV8XW3YZ5TK7",
    "trackingNumber": "WARP1234567890",
    "shipmentType": "LTL",
    "status": "CONFIRMED"
  }
}

Save the trackingNumber for the tracking step. Save the orderId for retrieving invoices and documents (BOL, POD) later. The specialInstruction field lets you pass dock numbers, gate codes, and receiving hours directly to the driver through the Warp driver app.

Step 4: Track the shipment

Pass one or more tracking numbers to the tracking endpoint. Warp returns the current status, last known location, estimated delivery, and the full event history for each shipment.

curl -X POST https://api.wearewarp.com/api/v1/freights/tracking \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "apikey: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "trackingNumbers": ["WARP1234567890"]
  }'

{
  "data": [{
    "trackingNumber": "WARP1234567890",
    "status": "IN_TRANSIT",
    "currentLocation": {
      "city": "Barstow",
      "state": "CA",
      "timestamp": "2026-04-11T08:42:00Z"
    },
    "estimatedDelivery": "2026-04-12T14:00:00Z",
    "events": [
      {
        "status": "PICKED_UP",
        "location": "Los Angeles, CA",
        "timestamp": "2026-04-10T10:15:00Z",
        "description": "Freight picked up from origin"
      },
      {
        "status": "IN_TRANSIT",
        "location": "Barstow, CA",
        "timestamp": "2026-04-11T08:42:00Z",
        "description": "In transit to destination"
      }
    ]
  }]
}

Warp provides 12+ granular statuses, not just "in transit" and "delivered." Each status change includes timestamps and GPS coordinates. For real time updates without polling, use webhooks.

Step 5: Receive webhook events

Instead of polling the tracking endpoint, register webhook URLs in your Warp dashboard. Warp pushes events to your server as shipments move through each status: booked, arrivedAtPickup, pickupSuccessful, inRouteToWarehouse, arrivedAtWarehouse, departedFromWarehouse, arrivedAtDelivery, delivered. Each event includes timestamps, GPS coordinates, and scan data.

Common webhook use cases: trigger warehouse receiving workflows when freight is 30 minutes away. Send customer notifications on delivery. Alert your ops team on exceptions flagged by our AI backbone, Orbit. Close out purchase orders automatically when proof of delivery is captured.

{
  "event": "shipment.status_changed",
  "shipmentId": "shp_01HGA2K9MNPQ4RV8XW3YZ5TJ6",
  "trackingNumber": "WARP1234567890",
  "status": "delivered",
  "timestamp": "2026-04-12T13:42:00Z",
  "location": {
    "city": "Phoenix",
    "state": "AZ",
    "latitude": 33.4484,
    "longitude": -112.0740
  },
  "details": {
    "signedBy": "J. Martinez",
    "podUrl": "https://api.wearewarp.com/documents/pod_01HGA..."
  }
}

Ready to ship freight with code?

Get an API key and start quoting in minutes. No software fees, no integration fees.

What freight modes can you ship programmatically?

One API key gives you access to all four modes. Omit the vehicle type and Warp selects the right one based on your item dimensions and weight.

Using AI coding tools to ship freight

AI coding tools like Claude Code and Cursor can handle the entire freight workflow autonomously. Point them at the Warp API documentation and describe what you need in natural language. The AI generates the correct HTTP requests, executes them, parses the responses, and handles errors.

For the full walkthrough on shipping freight with Claude Code, see the Ship with Claude Code guide.

The infrastructure behind the API

When you call the Warp API, you are accessing a freight network of 20,000+ local 3rd party carriers, 9,000+ box trucks and cargo vans, and 50+ Warp operated cross dock facilities. Every carrier operates through the Warp driver app, which provides live GPS tracking, scan in and scan out events, proof of delivery photos, and electronic signature capture. Our AI backbone, Orbit, monitors every load automatically, flagging late pickups, missed scans, route deviations, and delivery exceptions before your team has to chase them. Pricing is all inclusive and per pallet. No fuel surcharges, no terminal handling charges, no hidden accessorial fees.

Frequently asked questions