Build an Automated Freight Rate Finder in Excel

I currently have separate Import and Export tariff workbooks, with multiple tabs and different data structures across countries, cities, airports, airlines and weight breaks. I need an experienced Excel professional to turn these existing files into a clean, professional and easy-to-use Freight Rate Master & Rate Finder. The goal is to make it much easier for me to find freight rates without manually searching through multiple Excel files and tabs. Current Files I will provide: Australian Export Tariff Excel file Australian Import Tariff Excel file The files contain multiple tabs and are not consistently structured. Please review the attached files before starting the project. This is not simply a data-entry job. I need someone who can understand the existing tariff structures and design a logical database and lookup system. Main Objective I want to be able to open one Excel workbook and enter/select: Import or Export Australian airport/origin Destination/origin country City Airline/carrier Chargeable weight The workbook should then automatically return the relevant freight rate information. For example: EXPORT → SYDNEY → INDIA → MUMBAI → 150 KG The system should return the applicable tariff options, including relevant: Airline Routing Minimum charge Applicable KG rate Weight break Transit time Fuel/FSC Security surcharge Other applicable charges/notes Source/reference Required Deliverables 1. Master Rate Database Create a structured database from the existing tariff files. The database should retain important information such as: Import / Export Australian airport Country City Airport/port code Airline Routing Minimum charge Weight-break rates Transit time Fuel surcharge Security surcharge Other charges Validity dates where available Source tariff/tab The structure should be scalable so I can add new rates and countries later. 2. Automated Rate Finder Create a user-friendly front-end/search page. Ideally, I should be able to use dropdowns for: Direction Australian airport Country City Airline Chargeable weight The system should automatically return the matching rate information. 3. Weight Break Logic The workbook needs to correctly handle different tariff structures and weight breaks, for example: Minimum +45 KG +100 KG +300 KG +500 KG +1000 KG The applicable rate should be determined based on the entered chargeable weight. Where different tariffs use different weight structures, the original tariff logic should be preserved rather than forcing everything into one incorrect formula. 4. Import & Export Import and Export rates should be properly separated where their structures differ. The system should support: Export: Australia → International destinations Import: International origins → Australia 5. Inland / Zone Rates Where the supplied tariff contains separate inland or zone charges, these should be incorporated where practical. Examples include: USA inland Germany inland Netherlands inland UK inland Postal-code/state/zone based charges These should not be incorrectly combined with the airfreight rates if they require separate logic. 6. Tariff Notes & Conditions Important conditions must be retained. This includes things such as: ON REQUEST Special routing Deferred services Zone restrictions Dimensional restrictions Commodity restrictions Surcharges Exclusions Special handling conditions Transit conditions I do not want important tariff information lost during the consolidation process. 7. Easy Monthly Updates This is very important. I receive new tariffs periodically. The finished workbook should make it easy for me to: Add new rates Replace expired rates Add new countries Add new cities Add new airlines Update weight breaks Update validity dates I should not need to rebuild the formulas every time I receive a new tariff. Optional / Preferred Features If practical within the project: Power Query XLOOKUP / FILTER / dynamic arrays Data validation/dropdowns Automated database updates Clean dashboard-style interface Rate comparison between airlines Source-tab references Rate validity tracking Basic markup calculator I am open to the freelancer recommending a better technical approach if it makes the workbook more reliable and easier to maintain. Important Requirements The freelancer should be comfortable with: Microsoft Excel Advanced Excel formulas XLOOKUP / INDEX-MATCH FILTER / dynamic arrays Data validation Power Query Excel VBA where appropriate Data consolidation Structuring inconsistent Excel data Building user-friendly Excel dashboards/tools Experience with freight forwarding, logistics, shipping tariffs or transportation rates would be a strong advantage. Important: Accuracy The priority is accuracy and usability, not simply making the spreadsheet look good. Some of the supplied tariffs have different structures and special conditions. I do not want information to be lost or incorrectly converted into a formula just for the sake of automation. If something cannot safely be automated, it should be clearly flagged and the original information retained. Final Workbook Structure Ideally, the final workbook should contain sections/sheets similar to: Rate Finder Export Rates Import Rates Inland / Zone Rates Tariff Conditions / Notes Lists / Supporting Data Instructions The exact structure can be recommended by the freelancer after reviewing the source files. I am looking for someone who can deliver a solid, functional first version within this budget. If you believe a small adjustment to the structure is necessary to make the system reliable, please explain this before proceeding. What I Expect From the Freelancer Before starting, please review the two attached Excel files and confirm that you understand: How the Import tariff is structured How the Export tariff is structured How the different tabs relate to each other How you intend to consolidate them How the Rate Finder will work How I will add future monthly tariffs Please do not simply copy all the tabs into one workbook. I am looking for someone to build a proper freight rate database and automated Excel rate-finding tool that I can use for my freight business. Selection Criteria When applying, please provide: A short explanation of how you would approach this project Examples of similar Excel/database projects you have completed Your experience with Power Query, advanced Excel formulas or VBA Whether you have worked with logistics/freight/shipping data before Confirmation that you have reviewed the attached tariff files ****Please do not apply if your approach is primarily manual copy/paste data entry*****