01
Cargo Description
State the exact commercial product instead of using a vague phrase such as “general goods.”
Freight Quote Checklist
What information should you send for an international freight quote?
A useful freight quotation starts with complete shipment information. Cargo description, package count, dimensions, gross weight, origin, destination and special requirements help determine which road, air, sea, rail or multimodal options can actually be evaluated. Use this checklist before sending your quote request.
Minimum Information
Start with these eight shipment details.
These are the most useful inputs for evaluating a commercial freight request.
02
Package Count
Tell us how many cartons, pallets, crates, bags, drums, rolls or other packages are included.
03
Dimensions
Provide length × width × height for each package type, preferably in cm or metres.
04
Gross Weight
Provide gross weight per package where possible and the total shipment gross weight.
05
Pickup Location
City and country are the minimum useful route details. Add full loading location later where required.
06
Destination
Provide the final city and country, or port/airport when you are requesting terminal-to-terminal freight.
07
Preferred Mode
If you already know whether you need road, air, sea, rail, LTL, FTL, LCL or FCL, include it. If not, options can be evaluated.
08
Special Requirements
Declare batteries, dangerous goods, temperature requirements, oversized cargo, fragility, lifting or urgent handling.
Complete Freight Checklist
Prepare the shipment before requesting the quote.
Cargo
Product & Commercial Details
- Exact product name
- Product type / category
- New or used where relevant
- Model / technical specification where relevant
- Commercial value if relevant to handling or documentation
- Product photos for unusual, machinery or oversized cargo
Packaging
Package Information
- Number of packages
- Package type: carton, pallet, crate, bag, drum, roll, etc.
- Dimensions of each package type
- Gross weight per package
- Total gross weight
- Stackable or non-stackable status where relevant
Route
Origin & Destination
- Pickup city and country
- Final delivery city and country
- Port or airport if requesting terminal freight
- Loading availability or pickup constraints where relevant
- Multiple pickup or delivery points if applicable
- Door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal preference
Freight Method
Transport Preference
- Road freight
- LTL / partial freight
- FTL / full truck load
- Air / express air freight
- LCL / FCL sea freight
- Rail / multimodal where suitable
Regulated Cargo
Battery & Dangerous Goods
- Battery chemistry where applicable
- UN number where applicable
- SDS for chemicals or regulated products
- DG class / packing group if known
- Watt-hour rating for lithium batteries where relevant
- Damaged, defective, used or waste status where relevant
Special Cargo
Temperature / Fragile / Oversized
- Required temperature range if applicable
- Fragile or sensitive equipment
- Oversized dimensions or overweight units
- Lifting points / center of gravity where relevant
- Crane, forklift or special loading requirement
- Orientation or moisture-protection requirement
Documents
Available Shipment Documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- SDS where applicable
- Certificate or permit where already available
- Technical specifications for controlled or technical cargo
- Vehicle / machinery documents where relevant
Timing
Urgency & Shipment Readiness
- Cargo ready date
- Required delivery window if commercially important
- Urgent / express requirement
- Production completion date if cargo is not ready
- Any known deadline or event date
- Flexibility on freight method if needed
Do not omit regulated or unusual cargo characteristics to obtain a faster quote.
Batteries, chemicals, temperature-sensitive goods, machinery, vehicles and oversized cargo may need additional carrier review before transport can be confirmed.
By Freight Method
Extra information that helps for each transport mode.
Road Freight
LTL / FTL
Provide pallet/package count, dimensions, weight, stackability, pickup/delivery cities and any loading restrictions. For FTL, total cargo profile and equipment needs matter.
Road Freight →Air Freight
Air / Express Air
Exact package dimensions and gross weight are critical. Declare lithium batteries, DG, magnets, liquids or other regulated components before airline evaluation.
Air Freight →Sea Freight
LCL / FCL
Provide package count, CBM, weight, port or delivery details and container requirements. Heavy or non-stackable cargo should be identified clearly.
Sea Freight →Project Cargo
Oversized / Heavy Cargo
Send exact dimensions, unit weight, photos, drawings where available, lifting points, center of gravity and loading/unloading requirements.
Project Cargo Enquiry →
Copy & Send Template
Use this message when requesting a freight quote.
Copy the template below, fill in the details you know and send it with cargo photos or documents where relevant.
Cargo:
Quantity:
Package type:
Number of packages:
Dimensions:
Gross weight:
Pickup city / country:
Destination city / country:
Preferred freight method:
Cargo ready date:
Stackable: Yes / No
Battery / DG: Yes / No
Temperature requirement:
Oversized / special handling:
Available documents:
Additional notes:
Why Details Matter
Incomplete information can change the quote later.
Wrong Capacity
If dimensions or weight are missing, the shipment may require a different truck, container, airline service or handling plan than initially expected.
Wrong Freight Method
A shipment that appears suitable for LTL, LCL or air freight may need a different structure once the real cargo profile is known.
Carrier Re-Approval
Adding batteries, DG, temperature or oversized requirements after booking may require a new carrier review.
Rate Revision
Actual package dimensions, weight, equipment or route can materially change the freight cost compared with incomplete initial data.
Documentation Delays
Controlled products may need SDS, permits, technical data or destination-specific documents before movement can proceed.
Loading Problems
Machinery, long cargo and heavy units may need cranes, forklifts, special trailers or loading arrangements that should be known before dispatch.
Freight Quote Checklist FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What is the minimum information needed for a freight quote?
At minimum, send cargo description, package count, dimensions, gross weight, origin and destination. Add any special requirements such as DG, batteries, temperature or oversized handling.
Can I request a quote without exact dimensions?
An initial discussion may be possible, but accurate dimensions are important for capacity, CBM, air chargeable weight, LTL/LCL planning and equipment selection.
Do I need to know the freight method before asking for a quote?
No. If you provide the cargo and route details, suitable road, air, sea, rail or multimodal options can be evaluated where available.
Do I need photos?
Photos are especially useful for machinery, vehicles, oversized cargo, unusual packaging, used equipment and cargo requiring special loading.
Should I declare lithium batteries?
Yes. Battery chemistry, configuration and technical information can affect carrier acceptance, especially for air freight.
Should I send an SDS for chemicals?
Yes, where available. The SDS helps determine whether the product is regulated and what transport requirements may apply.
Do I need a commercial invoice before getting a quote?
Not always for the first freight enquiry, but accurate commercial cargo information is still needed. Shipment documents may be required before booking or dispatch.
Can the final freight price change after quoting?
It can if cargo details, dimensions, weight, route, equipment, carrier conditions or special requirements differ from the information used for the quotation.
This checklist is a general freight-planning tool. It does not guarantee carrier acceptance, capacity, rate or transit time.
Shipment-specific requirements must be confirmed for the actual cargo and route.
Have the shipment details ready?
Send your cargo description, packages, dimensions, gross weight, origin, destination and any special requirements. The available freight methods can then be evaluated around the actual shipment.