Infer Tracking Number (Beta)

Predict the carrier SCAC (VOCC) and number type from a tracking number. Provide a container number, bill of lading number, or booking number and receive the predicted carrier with confidence and a decision value. Use this to auto-populate carrier fields before creating a tracking request.

POST /tracking_requests/infer_number

cURL

Container Number

curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.terminal49.com/v2/tracking_requests/infer_number \
  --header 'Authorization: <api-key>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '
{
  "number": "WHLU1234560"
}
'

200

{
  "data": {
    "id": "req_123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000",
    "type": "infer_number_results",
    "attributes": {
      "number_type": "container",
      "validation": {
        "is_valid": true,
        "type": "container",
        "check_digit_passed": true,
        "parsed_number": null,
        "reason": null
      },
      "shipping_line": {
        "decision": "auto_select",
        "selected": {
          "scac": "WHLC",
          "name": "Wan Hai Lines",
          "confidence": 1
        },
        "candidates": [
          {
            "scac": "WHLC",
            "name": "Wan Hai Lines",
            "confidence": 1
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Beta Feature - This endpoint is currently in beta. The API is stable, but the schema and behavior may evolve based on feedback.

What this endpoint does

Give us a tracking number (container, bill of lading, or booking). We return:

• The predicted VOCC carrier SCAC to use for tracking
• The predicted number type
• A confidence-driven decision (auto_select, needs_confirmation, no_prediction)

We use machine learning prediction across container, bill of lading, and booking numbers. For container numbers, we leverage tens of millions of historical container movements to predict which carrier is moving the container (about 9 out of 10 times).

How to use the result

This endpoint is rate limited to 200 requests per minute per API key.

Auto-Detect Carrier Guide

Learn how to use Infer Tracking Number to reliably create tracking requests

Authorizations

Authorization · string · header · required

Token YOUR_API_TOKEN

The APIs require authentication to be done using header-based API Key and Secret Authentication.

API key and secret are sent va the Authorization request header.

You send your API key and secret in the following way:

Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY

Body

application/json

number · string · required

The tracking number to analyze (container number, bill of lading, or booking number)

Example:

"WHLU1234560"

Response

200

application/json

Successfully inferred number type and shipping line

data · object

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