Methodology
How we source, structure and verify the data behind WorldFreightHub.
TL;DR: Every figure carries one of 3 confidence tiers — HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW — and LOW is reserved for unverifiable estimates flagged "verify before relying". A rate such as 20ft FCL at $1,500–$6,200 has a 4.1× spread from low to high, so it is a snapshot rather than a commitment. The 4-step workflow (collect, label, cross-check, publish-or-withhold) means 0 figures are fabricated to fill a gap.
Primary sources first
We prefer primary sources: government customs and tax authorities, port authorities, and carriers. Secondary or aggregated data is used only to cross-check, never as the sole basis for a published figure. The source hierarchy is:
- Government / port authority — customs and tax authorities (ZATCA, Dubai Customs, Qatar Customs, and so on), port authorities (Mawani, DP World, SIPG), and official notices.
- Carrier / operator — published tariffs, schedules and service guides from shipping lines and terminal operators.
- Industry / organisation — trade bodies, standards organisations (ICC, IATA, FIATA) and recognised industry references.
Where a fact comes from a marketplace listing, a competitor page or an unattributed source, it is labelled accordingly and treated as unverified.
Confidence levels
Every estimate carries a confidence level so readers know how much weight to give it.
- High — confirmed against a primary source. Example: a VAT rate published by a national tax authority.
- Medium — corroborated by multiple secondary sources, or a primary source that is a snapshot rather than a live figure. Example: a freight-rate range assembled from several carrier references.
- Low — an unverified estimate with no published primary source. Example: a port's free-time allowance that varies by terminal and is not publicly posted.
A LOW label is not a failure — it is an honest statement that the figure could not be pinned to a source, and that you should confirm it before relying on it.
Rates and transit times
Freight rates and transit times fluctuate with fuel, season and geopolitical risk, so they are published as indicative estimates with a confidence level, never as live quotes. A rate range such as "20ft FCL: $1,500–$6,200" is a snapshot of the plausible spread, not a commitment — the wide range on Gulf lanes is itself real information, reflecting how much war-risk premiums and demand move the market.
No live pricing is shown anywhere on the site. When you need a firm number, the get-quote form routes your request to a provider who can quote your specific shipment.
Verification workflow
- Collect. A fact is pulled from the highest-quality source available, with the source recorded.
- Label. The figure is assigned a confidence level based on how it was sourced — HIGH for primary confirmation, LOW for an unverified estimate.
- Cross-check. Figures that can be corroborated by an independent primary source are upgraded; anything that cannot be verified stays marked as an estimate.
- Publish or withhold. A figure is published only if it is sourced or clearly labelled. If it can be neither sourced nor labelled honestly, it is withheld rather than invented.
The same discipline applies to the provider directory: a listing is marked "verified" only after its identity and contact details are independently confirmed, and everything self-reported is labelled as such.
Frequently asked questions
How is a freight rate figure sourced?
A freight-rate figure starts with 1 primary source — a carrier tariff, a port authority publication or a customs document — and is marked LOW when no primary source exists. A figure is never invented to fill a gap.
What does a LOW confidence label mean?
LOW confidence means the figure has 0 published primary sources; it is an unverified estimate. Treat LOW-confidence figures as a starting point and confirm them with a carrier or authority before relying on them.
How often is the data updated?
Every page carries 1 last-updated marker, and data is refreshed whenever a primary source changes — for example, a new VAT rate or a revised customs rule. Rates and transit times, which move constantly, are deliberately labelled as estimates rather than fixed values.
How do you verify a freight provider in the directory?
A provider is verified only after 3 checks — business identity, contact details and service claims — are independently confirmed against a primary source such as an NVOCC/FMC licence, a government registry, or the provider’s own published credentials. Until then it stays "unverified".