Async Load Create (Rail)
5 min
The Async Load Create API allows shippers to create with minimal information.
⚠️ Important Update:
The Pallets structure is being deprecated. Please transition to for product details. Learn more
This API is called after the carrier has accepted the tender for the load. FourKites does not limit customers from creating more than one load with the same load number or PRO number -- creation of more than one load with the same load or PRO number will cause duplication of loads, which will end up affecting the tracking performance. Customers are advised to handle this on their side. To learn more about Idempotency Protection, refer here.
If you receive a server error (5xx error code), please try again a few times. It's best to wait a little longer between each retry attempt. Try at least 3-5 times before giving up, as many server issues resolve themselves quickly.
Supporting Document: Create Shipment
Rate Limit
1 request per second
Format Supported
JSON
Authenticated Resource
API Key
For more information on Authentication, click here.
Production
POST
https://api.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async
curl --location --request POST 'https://api.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async' \
--header 'apiKey: REPLACE_KEY_VALUE' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
"shipmentIdentifier": "test-async-api99",
"carrierName": "rail-analysis-carrier",
"wagonNumber": "",
"stops": [
{
"sequence": "1",
"name": "Guahti,asam, Bihar",
"addressLine1": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"city": "Guahti",
"state": "Asam",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "12345",
"latitude": "58.62232",
"longitude": "16.228049",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0123456",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 25,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-001",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-001",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-001",
"barcode": "PAL001",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-001"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-001"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-001",
"deviceType": "RFID_TAG"
}
]
},
{
"sequence": "2",
"name": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"addressLine1": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"city": "Malmö",
"state": "Skåne",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "67890",
"latitude": "55.626969",
"longitude": "12.994829",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-12T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-11T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-20T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-15T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0654321",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 30,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-002",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-002",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-002",
"barcode": "PAL002",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-002"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-002"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-002",
"deviceType": "QR_CODE"
}
]
}
]
}'Staging
POST
https://api-staging.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async
curl --location --request POST 'https://api-staging.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async' \
--header 'apiKey: REPLACE_KEY_VALUE' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
"shipmentIdentifier": "test-async-api99",
"carrierName": "rail-analysis-carrier",
"wagonNumber": "",
"stops": [
{
"sequence": "1",
"name": "Guahti,asam, Bihar",
"addressLine1": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"city": "Guahti",
"state": "Asam",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "12345",
"latitude": "58.62232",
"longitude": "16.228049",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0123456",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 25,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-001",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-001",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-001",
"barcode": "PAL001",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-001"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-001"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-001",
"deviceType": "RFID_TAG"
}
]
},
{
"sequence": "2",
"name": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"addressLine1": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"city": "Malmö",
"state": "Skåne",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "67890",
"latitude": "55.626969",
"longitude": "12.994829",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-12T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-11T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-20T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-15T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0654321",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 30,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-002",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-002",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-002",
"barcode": "PAL002",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-002"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-002"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-002",
"deviceType": "QR_CODE"
}
]
}
]
}'Azure - Production
POST
https://api.ng.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async
import http.client
import json
conn = http.client.HTTPSConnection("api.ng.fourkites.com")
payload = json.dumps({
"shipmentIdentifier": "test-async-api99",
"carrierName": "rail-analysis-carrier",
"wagonNumber": "",
"stops": [
{
"sequence": "1",
"name": "Guahti,asam, Bihar",
"addressLine1": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"city": "Guahti",
"state": "Asam",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "12345",
"latitude": "58.62232",
"longitude": "16.228049",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0123456",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 25,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-001",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-001",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-001",
"barcode": "PAL001",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-001"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-001"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-001",
"deviceType": "RFID_TAG"
}
]
},
{
"sequence": "2",
"name": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"addressLine1": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"city": "Malmö",
"state": "Skåne",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "67890",
"latitude": "55.626969",
"longitude": "12.994829",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-12T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-11T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-20T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-15T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0654321",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 30,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-002",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-002",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-002",
"barcode": "PAL002",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-002"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-002"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-002",
"deviceType": "QR_CODE"
}
]
}
]
})
headers = {
'apiKey': 'REPLACE_KEY_VALUE',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
conn.request("POST", "/data-providers/events/async", payload, headers)
res = conn.getresponse()
data = res.read()
print(data.decode("utf-8"))Azure - Staging
POST
https://api-staging.ng.fourkites.com/data-providers/events/async
import http.client
import json
conn = http.client.HTTPSConnection("api-staging.ng.fourkites.com")
payload = json.dumps({
"shipmentIdentifier": "test-async-api99",
"carrierName": "rail-analysis-carrier",
"wagonNumber": "",
"stops": [
{
"sequence": "1",
"name": "Guahti,asam, Bihar",
"addressLine1": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"city": "Guahti",
"state": "Asam",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "12345",
"latitude": "58.62232",
"longitude": "16.228049",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-10T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-14T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Norrköpings Hamn AB",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0123456",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 25,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-001",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-001",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-001",
"barcode": "PAL001",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-001"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-001"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-001",
"deviceType": "RFID_TAG"
}
]
},
{
"sequence": "2",
"name": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"addressLine1": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"city": "Malmö",
"state": "Skåne",
"postalCode": "89560",
"country": "SE",
"splc": "67890",
"latitude": "55.626969",
"longitude": "12.994829",
"transportationMode": "rail",
"timezone": "UTC",
"appointmentTime": "2025-03-12T18:23:38Z",
"earliestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-11T18:23:38Z",
"latestAppointmentTime": "2025-03-20T18:23:38Z",
"estimatedArrivalTime": "2025-03-15T18:23:38",
"stopReferenceId": "Hamn Kombi / Nördö Link",
"productLineItems": [
{
"productId": "0654321",
"productName": "Rail Freight Item",
"productDescription": "Rail/intermodal freight shipment item",
"productCategory": "General Freight",
"quantity": 30,
"measurementUnitCode": "PCE",
"netWeight": 44.8,
"weightUnit": "KGM",
"unitCost": 25.0,
"currencyCode": "USD",
"extendedCost": 625.00,
"freightCost": 20.00,
"additionalCharges": 5.00,
"tariffCost": 2.50,
"fourKitesCalculatedTariffCost": 2.50,
"totalLandedCost": 655.00,
"countryOfOrigin": "SE",
"harmonizedSystemCode": "8607911000",
"commodityTypeCode": "RAIL_FREIGHT",
"htsusCode": "8607911000",
"orderNumber": "ORD-002",
"deliveryNumber": "DN-002",
"handlingUnitId": "PAL-002",
"barcode": "PAL002",
"containerType": "pallet",
"gtin": "00012345678905",
"customerPartNumber": "22EE",
"supplierPartNumber": "22EE",
"manufacturerPartNumber": "MFG-22EE",
"itemNumber": "ITM-22EE",
"productUpc": "012345678905",
"deliveryReferences": ["DEL-REF-002"],
"orderReferences": ["ORD-002"],
"brandName": "Generic Rail Freight Co",
"minimumTemperature": 0,
"maximumTemperature": 0,
"temperatureUnitCode": "cel",
"labelIdentifier": "LBL-22EE",
"productTrackingNumber": "RAIL-STOP-002",
"deviceType": "QR_CODE"
}
]
}
]
})
headers = {
'apiKey': 'REPLACE_KEY_VALUE',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
conn.request("POST", "/data-providers/events/async", payload, headers)
res = conn.getresponse()
data = res.read()
print(data.decode("utf-8"))