Carrier’s official API

Southeastern Freight Lines API: integration guide

Southeastern Freight Lines (SEFL) is a US LTL carrier. Its Web Connect API lets customers request rate quotes, submit pickup requests, trace shipments by PRO number and pull document images such as BOLs and delivery receipts. SEFL also supports EDI (204, 990, 211, 214, 210, 820) for larger shippers and TMS integrations.

This guide covers Southeastern Freight Lines’s own API (www.sefl.com). Credentials come from Southeastern Freight Lines, not from FreightAPIs, and we are not affiliated with them.

Want one API key for carrier terminals, NMFC and ports instead? FreightAPIs API docs →

Interface REST/JSON · HTTP form POST (rate quotes)Endpoints 7Reviewed 2026-10-09Open in ChatGPT↗Open in Claude↗

At a glance

CarrierSoutheastern Freight Lines
TypeLTL carrier
SCACSEFL
InterfaceREST/JSON, HTTP form POST (rate quotes)
AuthenticationHTTP Basic auth with MySEFL credentials
CapabilitiesRate quote, Transit time, Pickup request, Shipment tracking, Documents & images (BOL, delivery receipt and more)

Getting access

  • Create a MySEFL account on sefl.com. SEFL's reference guide says it does not issue API keys or tokens: most APIs need a MySEFL username and password plus a valid 9-digit SEFL account number.
  • SEFL publishes its API documentation on its Web Connect page. For help with access, SEFL directs customers to its Contact Us form under the WebConnect/Internet API subject.
  • Larger customers that want EDI instead of the API are routed through the same Contact Us form under the EDI subject.
  • The documentation we reviewed does not mention fees, rate limits or a separate sandbox. The pickup API has a developer flag that validates a request without submitting it.

Authentication

HTTP Basic auth with MySEFL credentials.

  • Send Authorization: Basic base64(username:password) on every request, using your MySEFL login.
  • The pickup request also needs a shipper_account header carrying your SEFL account number.
  • Rate quote requests carry the account number in the CustomerAccount form field.
  • There is no token exchange or expiry. A missing header or failed login returns 401 Unauthorized with an empty body.

Environments

Productionhttps://www.sefl.com

Endpoints

Rate quote

Quoting is asynchronous. You POST the shipment as form fields and get back a quoteNumber, then GET the quote until its status shows it has been rated. Quotes that cannot be priced automatically are emailed to the address you supplied.

POST/webconnect/ratequotes/rest/submitQuoteSubmit a quote request; returns quoteNumber and the URLs to fetch it.
GET/webconnect/ratequotes/rest/{quoteNumber}?ReturnDetail=YFetch the quote status and, once rated, the full charge breakdown.
GET/webconnect/ratequotes/rest/listList recently submitted quotes.
Key inputsCustomerAccount, CustomerName, CustomerStreet, CustomerCity, CustomerState, CustomerZipOption (S | C | T), Terms (P | C), EmailAddress, returnX=Y, rateXML=YPickupDateMM, PickupDateDD, PickupDateYYYYOriginCity / OriginState / OriginZip / OrigCountry (U | C | M), DestinationCity / DestinationState / DestinationZip / DestCountryClass1..Class20 and Weight1..Weight20 (at least one pair), WeightUnitOfMeasure1..20, Description1..20, CubicFt1..20DimsOption (T | I), Pieces1..20, PieceLength/Width/Height1..20, UnitOfMeasure1..20, NumberOfUnits1..20, shipPallet, PcsPlts1..20allowSpot (large shipments), NMFC1..20 / NMFCSub1..20Accessorial flags sent as "on", e.g. chkLGD (liftgate delivery), chkPR (private residence), chkAN (arrival notice), chkID (inside delivery), chkHM (hazmat), chkIN + FVInsuranceAmount (full value)
Key outputsSubmit: quoteNumber, location, detailQuoteLocation, errorOccured, errorMessageDetail: status (ENT | RAT | UTR), httpStatusCode, quoteType, rateQuote, discountPercent, discountAmounttransitTime, transitMiles, origDIP / destDIP / quoteDIP (direct, interline or partner)details[] (typeCharge, description, weight, ratingClass, rate, charges)

Transit time

There is no separate transit-time call in the material we reviewed. The rate quote detail includes transitTime in days and transitMiles. SEFL also offers downloadable transit-time and zip code files on its website.

GET/webconnect/ratequotes/rest/{quoteNumber}?ReturnDetail=YRead transitTime and transitMiles from a rated quote.
Key outputstransitTimetransitMilesorigDIP, destDIP

Pickup request

Submit one pickup with a shipper location and a list of consignees, each with weight, pieces and package type. A quote can be linked by passing its quoteNumber as specialNum with specialNumType RATE.

POST/pickup-web/api/pickupCreate a pickup request (JSON); returns a confirmation number.
Key inputsHeader shipper_accountdeveloper (true = validate only)contact (company, name, phone, email)shipper (shipperName, address, city, state, zip, shipperCountry, pickupContactName, phone, email, requestPickupDate YYYYMMDD, requestPickupTime / pickupTimeStart / pickupTimeEnd / closeTime HHmm, shipAs S | C | T, hazmat, liftgate, overlength, medical, foodstuff)consignees[] (name, destZip, destCountry, weight, pieces, pkgType, specialNumType, specialNum)
Key outputsconfirmation.confirmationNumber, dateTimeSubmitted, totalShipments, totalWeightconfirmation.directPartner (Direct | Partner)message (starts with "Success", may add Additional Notes)On validation failure: message, response_code

Shipment tracking

Trace a shipment by PRO number and get pickup details, current status, committed delivery date, appointment window, interline info and a list of dated events with status codes.

POST/webconnect/tracing?Type=PN&RefNum1={pro}&output=JSONTrace by PRO number and return JSON.
Key inputsType (PN = PRO number)RefNum1 (the PRO)output=JSON
Key outputspro[] > proNumber, pickupDate, pickupTime, utcOffsetPU, pieces, weightstatus (segments joined by ;;), location, currentStatusDateOnly, currentStatusTimecommittedDate, delay, appointmentStartTime, appointmentEndTimeinterlineCode, interlinePro, origin / destination (name, location, phone)detailInformation.detail[] (date, time, utcOffset, location, city, state, zip, message, statusCode)

Documents & images (BOL, delivery receipt and more)

Request document images for one or more PROs in a single call. Each document comes back as its own array element with Base64 content.

POST/document-retrieval/Return Base64-encoded document images for a list of PROs.
Key inputspros (array of PRO numbers)imageTypes (BL, DR, LA, RC, LR, PL, WI)associated (default false), format (default pdf)
Key outputs[] of pro, type, version, fileExt, base64Image, error

Example request

Trace a shipment by PRO numberbash
curl -X POST \ -u "YOUR_MYSEFL_USERNAME:YOUR_MYSEFL_PASSWORD" \ "https://www.sefl.com/webconnect/tracing?Type=PN&RefNum1=YOUR_PRO_NUMBER&output=JSON"

curl -u builds the Authorization: Basic header for you. The response is an object whose pro field is always an array.

Integration notes

  • Rate quotes are two-step. After submitQuote, poll the quote URL: ENT means it is still queued (httpStatusCode 202), RAT means rated (200), and UTR means it needs manual pricing and will be emailed to EmailAddress. Do not treat the submit response as the price.
  • Many rate quote response values are fixed-width and padded with spaces (typeCharge, city names, zips, descriptions). Trim every field before you compare or store it.
  • Rate quote line items are numbered form fields (Class1/Weight1 up to Class20/Weight20), not a JSON array. Class 77.5 and 92.5 are sent as 775 and 925.
  • Shipments over 5,000 lbs or using 10 feet or more of trailer need allowSpot=Y plus dimensions. Description is required to or from Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico; CubicFt is required for Puerto Rico and density-rated customers.
  • Pickup dates must be between today and 30 days out and cannot fall on a holiday. Dates are YYYYMMDD and times are HHmm in 24-hour format. All weights are pounds.
  • The pickup shipper address is truncated after 25 characters, and the response only mentions it under Additional Notes. Keep the street line short.
  • Set developer to true while testing pickups. The request is fully validated, but no pickup is created.
  • Document retrieval returns one array element per document and per version. Check the error field on each element: a PRO you cannot access returns an error entry while the other PROs still succeed. Tracking events are listed oldest first.

FAQ

Does Southeastern Freight Lines have an API?

Yes. SEFL's Web Connect API covers rate quotes, pickup requests, tracing by PRO number and document retrieval. SEFL also supports EDI for larger shippers.

Do I need an API key for the SEFL API?

No. SEFL does not issue API keys or tokens. You authenticate with your MySEFL username and password over HTTP Basic auth, and most calls also need your 9-digit SEFL account number.

Why does my SEFL rate quote come back without a price?

Quotes are processed asynchronously. Poll the quote by quoteNumber until status is RAT; ENT means it is still queued, and UTR means it will be priced manually and emailed to you.

Can I get a SEFL delivery receipt through the API?

Yes. POST the PRO numbers to the document retrieval endpoint with imageTypes such as DR (delivery receipt) or BL (bill of lading). Each document comes back Base64-encoded.

On FreightAPIs

Freight class calculator →Density and estimated class before you request a quote.Accessorial codes by carrier →Liftgate, residential, limited access — each carrier’s code.

Official resources

Written from Southeastern Freight Lines’s published API documentation and last checked 2026-10-09. FreightAPIs is not affiliated with Southeastern Freight Lines; endpoints and access rules can change, so confirm details in the carrier’s own documentation before going live.

Other carrier API guides

ABF Freight · Estes Express Lines · Saia LTL Freight · TForce Freight · Old Dominion Freight Line · XPO (LTL) · AAA Cooper Transportation · AIT Worldwide Logistics