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Container Tracking API Pricing Explained: JSONCargo API Calls & Plans
Container tracking API pricing can sometimes look more complicated than it needs to be.
Some providers charge per shipment. Others use credits, tracking units, separate API access fees, or different prices depending on the type of request.
JSONCargo keeps the model simple: each API request counts as one API call.
Here is how it works and how to estimate which JSONCargo pricing plan you need.
This case study shows how one client integrated JSONCargo data into a broader container tracking platform while independently developing and operating the product itself.
What Is an API Call in JSONCargo?
Every time your application sends a request to the JSONCargo API, one API call is used.
For example:
- Track one container = 1 API call
- Track the same container again = 1 API call
- Track one vessel = 1 API call
- Request Bill of Lading tracking data = 1 API call
- Make another request later for updated information = another API call
It does not matter whether you are checking a container for the first time or requesting an update for a container you already tracked.
This makes usage easy to calculate.
API Calls vs Containers:
An API call should not be confused with the number of containers you manage.
For example, imagine your company is monitoring 100 containers.
If you check every container once per week:
100 containers × 1 request = 100 API calls per week
If you check them three times per week:
100 containers × 3 requests = 300 API calls per week
So the main factors affecting your usage are:
number of shipments × how often you request updates
JSONCargo Pricing Plans:
| Plan | Monthly Price | API Calls / Month | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner | €99/month | 1,000 | Small projects, testing, lower tracking volumes |
| Navigator | €199/month | 2,500 | Growing integrations and regular shipment tracking |
| Admiral | €349/month | 5,000 | Higher-volume businesses and frequent tracking |
For businesses with higher API usage, JSONCargo also offers custom enterprise plans with larger monthly allowances, including 10,000, 20,000 API calls and above.
These plans are tailored to higher-volume integrations and can be arranged based on your expected usage and technical requirements.
Write to us at support@jsoncargo.com
A Simple Way to Estimate Your Monthly Usage:
You can use this formula:
Containers × Checks per week × 4.33 = Estimated monthly API calls
| Containers | Checks per week | Approx. monthly API calls |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 2 | 433 |
| 100 | 2 | 866 |
| 100 | 5 | 2,165 |
| 250 | 3 | 3,248 |
| 500 | 2 | 4,330 |
| 500 | 3 | 6,495 |
How Is JSONCargo Pricing Different From Other Container Tracking APIs?
Some providers charge a credit when a new shipment is added and then allow repeated checks of that shipment without consuming another tracking credit.
JSONCargo instead uses a straightforward request-based model.
You know how many API requests are included in your subscription and each request consumes one API call.
This can make costs particularly easy to understand when building your own ERP, TMS, logistics platform, customer portal or internal tracking system.
What Happens If You Reach Your API Call Limit?
If you reach the monthly API call allowance of your plan, you can either:
1. Upgrade to a higher JSONCargo plan, or
2. Wait until your API allowance renews with the next subscription period.
You can also check your current usage programmatically using the JSONCargo API Key Usage Stats endpoint.
This makes it possible to monitor consumption directly from your application