Overview
Self-service freight-quoting portal backed by Directus CMS and an n8n automation layer that fetches live carrier rates, generates UAE customs-compliant AWB drafts, and pushes shipment-status updates to customer WhatsApp threads.
The challenge
Agents wasted two to three days per quote emailing carriers and reformatting rate sheets into UAE customs documents, and customers had no visibility into shipment status without calling the office.
The solution
We modelled carrier rate tables and customs tariff rules in Directus, exposing them via REST to a Next.js quoting wizard. An n8n workflow fetches live spot rates every 30 minutes, cross-checks HS codes, and auto-populates AWB fields. A second n8n branch listens to carrier webhooks and relays status updates to WhatsApp threads via the Cloud API — reusing the open-source n8n workflow-engine rather than building bespoke integration code.
Outcomes
Quote turnaround cut from 3 days to under 2 hours
AWB field error rate fell from 9 % to 0.3 %
Customer call-ins for status updates dropped 74 %
Team processes 2.6 × more shipments per agent per week
Key metrics
Tech stack
Services
Client testimonial
“We finally have a system that quotes in minutes and keeps our clients informed without anyone picking up the phone. The n8n automation layer was the key.”
— عمر الراشد — المدير التنفيذي، مجموعة الراشد للشحن
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