Skip to page content

How We Operate

One team.
Every handoff.

Ocean freight, customs coordination and delivery, connected in one shipment plan. A team to handle the move. A clear view of what happens next.

Get a freight quoteFollow the process

Gateway Terminal

The system behind
every handoff.

An ocean freight forwarder with its own platform: live spot rates across thousands of lanes, contracted pricing that can beat spot for regular volume, and one flat Gateway fee. Every shipment runs on Gateway Terminal, included with your freight.

app.gatewaylines.com
Real Gateway Terminal screens from the demo account.See the full platform

01 / Your shipment

You know the next step.
We handle the handoff.

A clear part for you. A connected plan around it. Follow every handoff from the first details to delivery, and who handles each one.

  1. 01Shipment detailsOrigin, destination, cargo and ready date.You
  2. 02Quote & approvalRoute, services and costs in one proposal.You + Gateway
  3. 03BookingSpace confirmed, documents collected.Gateway
  4. 04Origin pickupFrom your supplier to the port.Gateway or supplier
  5. 05OceanThe carrier sails on our bill of lading.Carrier
  6. 06CustomsEntry filed and cargo released.Broker partner
  7. 07DrayageFrom the port to your door.Gateway
  8. 08DeliveryReceived, empty container returned.You + Gateway

01 / Before booking

A clear plan before your cargo moves.

Start with the shipment you need to make. We bring the route, services and costs into one proposal for you to review.

  1. Shipment detailsYou
  2. Quote & approvalYou + Gateway
Your part
Share your origin, destination, cargo details and ready date. Tell us where you need the delivery to end.
Gateway’s part
Coordinate the ocean move and selected services, estimate duties, and put the shipment quote together.

You review the scope and approve the quote before booking.

Container fit
Gateway Terminal container fit check comparing order weight and volume with four container sizes, with example data
Weight and volume checked against each container size before you book.Gateway Terminal · Real screen, example data.

02 / Booking & transit

The handoffs stay connected.

A shipment moves through several hands. Gateway stays your point of contact while the carrier, origin team and licensed broker partners do their part.

  1. BookingGateway
  2. Origin pickupGateway or supplier
  3. OceanCarrier
Your part
Confirm shipment details and provide the commercial documents before departure. Respond when the team needs clarification.
Gateway’s part
Coordinate the booking and origin handoff, keep documentation together, and follow the ocean movement.

Follow vessel positions, shipment milestones and updates in Terminal.

Shipment tracking
Gateway Terminal shipment tracking map showing the vessel position and route with example shipment data
The vessel, route and shipment updates on one record.Gateway Terminal · Real screen, example data.

03 / Through delivery

The final mile belongs in the plan.

Arrival at the port is another handoff. Customs coordination, release and the booked inland move stay connected to the original shipment.

  1. CustomsBroker partner
  2. DrayageGateway
  3. DeliveryYou + Gateway
Your part
Confirm delivery requirements, receiving hours and any access details your warehouse needs us to know.
Gateway’s part
Coordinate with licensed customs broker partners and the delivery provider through the agreed destination and empty return.

Keep the shipment history, documents and invoices together after delivery.

The shipment record
Gateway Terminal shipment record showing shipment progress from booking through delivery, with example data
The complete record stays with you when the move is finished.Gateway Terminal · Real screen, example data.
Gateway Terminal is included with your freight.Explore the platform

02 / Your costs

Know the cost.
Approve the move.

Your quote brings the transport, expected duties and selected services together. Review the scope before you book, with the Gateway fee stated separately.

Get a freight quote

Or check the numbers first

Explore ocean freight ratesEstimate your import duties

Rates and duty estimates live in their dedicated tools. Your shipment quote confirms the services and terms for your move.

Inside your shipment quoteItemized, from the start
  1. 01

    Ocean freight

    Your lane, equipment and sailing.

    Quoted
  2. 02

    Origin & destination services

    The services included in your shipment plan.

    Quoted
  3. 03

    Duties & government charges

    Estimated for your product and origin.

    Estimated
  4. 04

    Selected services

    Insurance, drayage, rail and other agreed services.

    As selected
  5. 05

    One flat Gateway fee

    Stated separately in your quote.

    Flat
One consolidated shipment quote.

03 / The connected services

Built around your shipment.

The equipment, specialists and software all serve the same move. Choose the services your cargo needs; keep the information together.

Ocean freight & inland transport

Full-container and less-than-container ocean moves, with origin pickup, drayage, rail and final delivery arranged to the agreed scope.

Dry, reefer, ventilated, open-top and flat-rack equipment options support different cargo requirements.

FCL shippingLCL shippingContainer specifications

Customs, documents & cargo protection

Licensed customs broker partners handle the filings. Product, classification and value details stay connected to the shipment, alongside filing statuses and documents.

Add cargo insurance to the services you request. Quotes, certificates and claims stay accessible from the shipment record.

Customs coordinationCargo insurance

Cargo visibility, planning & emissions

Connect purchase orders and individual products to the containers carrying them. Use the load planner before booking, follow shipment milestones, and keep reporting with your cargo.

Shipment-level emissions reporting and carbon insetting are available alongside the move.

Try the 3D load plannerCarbon insetting

Your team & existing systems

Use Gateway Terminal with role-based access, shipment notifications and reporting. REST API, EDI and webhooks connect shipment data with your ERP, warehouse or transport systems.

Supplier and vendor records, contracted rates and supporting documents stay connected to the work.

Developer documentationSecurity at Gateway

Watch

Gateway, moving the world.

A 54-second film on the industries behind the cargo and the ships that carry it.

04 / The practical details

Plans change.
The conversation stays.

Keep the context with the shipment, so the next question starts with the full picture.

Talk to our team
What if my cargo or delivery plans change?

Most changes are handled in the portal, right on the shipment. You also have a dedicated account executive you can call at any time of day. When a change affects the booking or the services, we review it with you, including any effect on the quote, and the portal keeps your whole team up to date.

What if a sailing is delayed?

You are notified right away. Gateway checks every shipment’s tracking around the clock, and when a sailing slips by a day or more you get an email and a portal alert, plus a text if you turn texts on. The shipment shows the new arrival date, and your account executive can walk you through the next step.

Who handles customs clearance?

Licensed customs broker partners handle the filings. Gateway coordinates the shipment information and keeps the relevant statuses and documents on the shipment record. Your team supplies the commercial documents and any additional information the broker requests.

Do we need another software subscription?

Gateway Terminal is included for Gateway freight customers. Your team can use the portal for shipment visibility, documents and billing, with role-based access and API or EDI connections for your existing systems.

05 / Getting started

Start with the shipment you have in mind.

You do not need every answer yet. Bring the details you have, and we will work through the move with you.

Get a freight quoteTalk to our team

A useful starting point

  1. 01

    Where it starts and ends

    Origin, destination and delivery address.

  2. 02

    What you are shipping

    Commodity, quantity, weight and dimensions.

  3. 03

    When it will be ready

    Cargo-ready date and delivery requirements.

  4. 04

    What you need us to arrange

    Ocean freight, customs coordination, insurance and inland transport.