Track a container through terminal and rail milestones using the FourKites ocean and intermodal visibility API
domain: developer.fourkites.com · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Authenticate with the FourKites API using your API key and obtain an access token for the shipment tracking endpoints
Create an ocean or intermodal shipment by providing the container number, SCAC/carrier name, bill of lading number, and origin/destination ports
Subscribe to milestone event webhooks for vessel departure, vessel arrival, terminal gate-out, rail ramp-in, rail ramp-out, and delivery
Parse the milestone payload for the event timestamp, actual versus scheduled comparison, and any dwell-time or exception flags
Use the drayage appointment integration (where available) to link the last-mile drayage carrier and receive the final delivery ETA
Known gotchas
Ocean container data depends on carrier and terminal EDI feeds that may have 2-6 hour lag; do not use FourKites ETA as a real-time terminal gate status
Rail milestones from Class I railroads (BNSF, UP) are often 4-6 hours delayed due to railroad EDI batch transmission windows
Container numbers must be in ISO 6346 format (owner code + equipment category + serial + check digit); submit without spaces and validate the check digit before API calls
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