Plain Freight

Use this after generate_offer, with its quote_id, to read the result of the second check. Returns settled (true once the check finished), possibly updated options and summary, follow-up questions whose answers change the price or customs channel, and needs_review. If needs_review is true the prices are withheld on purpose: the goods look restricted (batteries, food, chemicals) and a person must clear them first. Tell the user Plain Freight will follow up by email and do not present a number. Branded goods are never held; they are priced on the branded channel. Read-only.

check_offer_status

Use this when the user asks whether Plain Freight can ship a product from China to the US, or what documents a product needs, before asking for a price. Records nothing. Returns instant_offer (general goods, priced at once), branded_rate (goods with a brand or trademark, priced at once on a higher rate) or person_checks_first (for example batteries, chemicals, food, cosmetics, seeds, vapes or weapons: a person reviews them before any price), with a plain explanation and what to have ready. It applies the same screen as generate_offer, so it predicts what an offer will do; it is not legal or customs advice.

check_goods

Use this for a quick rough price to ship goods from China to a US address (100 g to 2,000 kg) when the user is exploring, comparing or budgeting, for example before placing a factory order. Records nothing, contacts no one and needs no email. Returns estimated door to door prices in USD for air (and sea from 10 kg chargeable weight), the chargeable weight used (the greater of actual weight and carton volume in cm3 / 6,000), transit estimates, and whether US import duty is included. Figures come from Plain Freight's pricing engine for densely packed general goods; branded goods use the branded rate, and goods that need a review get no figure. The exact ZIP code, pickup city and cartons can move the price, so when the user wants a firm number or to book, call generate_offer.

estimate_price

Use this when the user wants a real offer to ship goods from China to a US address, 100 g to 2,000 kg (for a rough figure while they are still exploring, use estimate_price first, which records nothing). Returns door to door prices in USD from Plain Freight's live pricing engine: each option covers freight, US customs clearance and delivery, and says whether US import duty is included (DDP) or paid at import. Provide carton dimensions when known: for light, bulky cargo the volumetric weight sets the price. Side effects: each call records a quote request with Plain Freight, and if an email is given the written offer is emailed to that address once a second check settles (at most one offer email per address per day). Call it once per shipment, not repeatedly. Nothing is booked or charged. Then call check_offer_status with the quote_id for the check's verdict.

generate_offer

Use this when the user has a Plain Freight tracking link and asks where their shipment is. Requires the tracking link from the booking email (https://plainfreight.com/track/<token>) or the bare token; the token is the credential, so only someone the customer shared the link with can read the record. Returns the shipment reference, the current stage on the 10-stage lifecycle (Booking through Delivered), shipment details and the dated event log. Read-only: to change a booking or ask a question, the customer emails [email protected] with the shipment reference.

track_shipment