API Standards
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Less-Than-Truckload API Standards
eBOL
Version 2.1
The Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL) API Version 2.1 is a unified framework developed by the DSDC's Digital LTL Council to digitize and standardize the creation, transmission, and management of Bills of Lading within the Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) industry. This standard aims to replace traditional paper-based processes, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and communication across the supply chain.
Who It's for
Shippers, LTL Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Technology Providers
Version 2.1 addresses critical issues identified by industry users, enhancing the standard's robustness and applicability.
Features
The eBOL API Standard Version 2.1 enables stakeholders to:
- Create Electronic Bills of Lading: Digitally generate standardized eBOLs, ensuring consistency and reducing manual errors.
- Update and Delete eBOL Data: Utilize new HTTP methods to modify or remove eBOL information using the relevant PRO number as the key identifier.
- Enhance Data Accuracy: Incorporate nine-digit postal codes and a new “SCAC” attribute for returning a four-digit Standard Carrier Alpha Code™ (SCAC®), improving precision in shipment details.
- Facilitate Seamless Integration: Align with existing systems and processes, ensuring compatibility and ease of adoption.
Pickup Request and Visibility
Version 1.0.0
The Pickup Request and Visibility API is a standardized communication tool designed to enable digital scheduling and real-time tracking of shipment pickups. It aims to reduce manual processes like phone calls and emails by providing seamless integration for shippers and carriers to collaborate on pickup logistics.
Who It's for
Shippers and LTL Carriers
The Pickup Request Visibility API supports multiple shipment scenarios, including dock and shipment readiness, for a streamlined pre-pickup process.
Features
Shippers and Carriers can use the API to:
- Schedule Pickups: Initiate digital pickup requests.
- Track Pickup Status: Gain real-time updates on truck locations and critical pickup events.
- Update Requests: Modify or reschedule existing pickups.
- Cancel Pickups: Notify carriers to cancel scheduled pickups.
- View Delay Information: Access reasons for delays and updated arrival times.
Preliminary Freight Charges
Version 1.0.0
The Preliminary Freight Charges (PFC) API is a proactive notification system providing visibility into freight bill charges throughout the shipment lifecycle. It helps reduce disputes, improve payment accuracy, and streamline billing processes.
Who It's for
Shippers, LTL Carriers, and Consignees
The PFC API focuses on providing transparency during transit and ensures accurate invoicing by allowing users to address discrepancies early in the process.
Features
Users can leverage the API to:
- Receive Notifications: Get timely alerts about new or updated freight bills.
- Track Changes: Monitor updates to charges, including accessorial additions and reweighs.
- Improve Payment Accuracy: Facilitate proactive corrections before invoice generation.
- Accrue Costs Effectively: Maintain accurate records for accounting and payment purposes.
In-Transit Visibility
In Development
The In-Transit Visibility API is a robust system that provides detailed insights into the shipment’s journey from pickup to delivery. It offers milestone tracking, real-time updates, and exception handling to improve shipment transparency.
Who It's for
LTL Carriers, Shippers, and 3PLs
The In-Transit Visibility API is designed to enhance transparency and trust among stakeholders, minimizing manual inquiries and improving operational efficiency.
Features
This API supports the following functionality:
- Shipment Tracking: Monitor real-time shipment status through all phases.
- Exception Notifications: Receive alerts for delays, damages, or reweigh events.
- Terminal Updates: Gain visibility into shipment statuses at origin, intermediate, and delivery terminals.
- Delivery Status: Get detailed information about missed deliveries or reasons for delays.
- Cross-Border Capabilities: Includes customs status updates and tracking for international shipments.
Full Truckload API Standards
Appointment Scheduling
Version 1.1.0
The Appointment Scheduling API is a standardized framework that enables digital coordination of pickup and delivery time slots in full truckload (FTL) operations. It eliminates inefficient email threads and phone calls by allowing systems to automatically request, confirm, and manage appointments between shippers, carriers, receivers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, 3PLs, and Receivers
The Appointment Scheduling API facilitates end-to-end automation of the scheduling process, ensuring shipments stay on track and docks run smoothly.
Features
This API Standard enables stakeholders to:
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Request Appointments: Digitally request pickup or delivery slots based on facility availability.
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Confirm Appointments: Automatically receive confirmations or suggested alternatives from the receiving party.
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Modify Appointments: Adjust times or dates in response to changes in transit or operations.
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Cancel Appointments: Notify all parties of cancellations in a standardized format.
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Track Appointment Status: Access real-time updates on the appointment lifecycle (requested, confirmed, rescheduled, etc.).
eBOL
Version 1.1.0
The Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL) API Version 1.0 defines a common, API-based approach for creating and exchanging electronic Bills of Lading for full truckload (FTL) shipments. It replaces paper documents with a secure digital record, improving data accuracy, reducing manual effort, and enabling seamless integration across shippers, carriers, and logistics partners.
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Technology Providers
Features
The API Standard enables stakeholders to:
- Create, update, and exchange Bills of Lading information digitally to eliminate paper and manual errors.
- Receive a unique shipment identifier before pickup to enable earlier visibility and coordination.
- Share standardized shipment, commodity, and billing data throughout the shipment
- Establish a digital foundation that supports tendering, tracking, invoicing, and settlement.
Invoice and Documentation
Version 1.1.0
The Invoice and Documentation standard defines a common API for exchanging carrier invoices and supporting shipment documents digitally. It replaces fragmented, manual processes with a standardized approach that improves billing accuracy, speeds payment cycles, and enables seamless document sharing across shippers, carriers, financial institutions, and logistics partners.
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Technology Providers
Features
- Transmit data digitally using a common format to improve accuracy and speed payment.
- Attach invoices with supporting documents such as PODs and BOLs in a single workflow.
- Reduce billing disputes by providing timely access to complete and consistent documentation.
- Enable scalable integration with TMS, freight payment, and financial systems.
In-Transit Visibility
Version 1.1.0
The In-Transit Visibility standard defines a common API for sharing real-time shipment status, milestone events, and location updates throughout a truckload’s lifecycle. It enables a single source of truth across systems, improving transparency, proactive exception management, and operational efficiency for shippers, carriers, and logistics partners.
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs), Technology Providers
Features
- Share real-time shipment status and milestone updates from pickup through delivery.
- Maintain a single, consistent view of shipment progress for all stakeholders.
- Support both on-demand and event-driven visibility updates based on partner needs.
- Identify delays early to improve exception management and customer communication.
Rate/Quote
Version 1.1.0
The Rate/Quote standard defines a common API for requesting, generating, and exchanging truckload pricing electronically. It streamlines rate discovery and quoting by replacing manual, proprietary workflows with a standardized digital process, improving speed, accuracy, and consistency across shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers.
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs)
Features
This API Standard enables stakeholders to:
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Request rates using a standardized structure that reduces back-and-forth communication.
- Receive pricing responses in a consistent format for easier comparison and selection.
- Shorten pricing cycles by replacing emails and spreadsheets with API-based exchanges.
- Pass accepted rates directly into booking and tendering workflows.
Book and Tender
Version 1.1.0
The Book and Tender standard defines a common API for digitally reserving capacity and formally tendering truckload shipments. By standardizing booking and tender workflows, it reduces manual coordination, improves response times, and enables seamless, automated load commitments between shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers.
Who It's for
Shippers, Carriers, Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs)
Features
This API Standard enables stakeholders to:
- Digitally book capacity to improve planning.
- Send execution-ready tenders and receive clear accept or reject responses.
- Reduce manual effort by standardizing tender communication across partners.
- Scale shipper, carrier, and 3rd-party integrations without custom connections.
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