What a quote should clarify
Exact origin and destination; commodity and packaging; billable weight or volume; service type; currency, validity and payment conditions.
Separate pickup, origin operations, international freight, destination charges, importing, insurance if requested and delivery. A pending charge is not zero.
Parcels, air, LCL or FCL
Parcels and air: review weight per package, dimensions and the dimensional-weight rule. Acceptance depends on the product.
LCL: compare volume, weight, minimums, consolidation and deconsolidation. FCL: review equipment, loading, unloading, port charges and free time. There is no universal LCL-to-FCL volume threshold.
How to read the schedule
Separate supplier preparation, pickup, departure wait, international transit, arrival, clearance and delivery. Flight or sailing time is not total lead time.
Confirm the cargo-ready date and target delivery separately. Capacity, customs, inspections and receiving conditions can alter the schedule. We do not publish fixed days without confirmed routing.
Avoid receiving differences
Clarify access, appointment, unloading equipment, recipient contact and rejection or redelivery arrangements. For multiple destinations, prepare a carton or SKU allocation.
Confirm costs and responsibility for storage, waiting time and plan changes before authorizing them.
A checklist for the complete cost
Use these categories to review each proposal. Which items apply and who pays depend on the contract, goods and requested services.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Stage | Items to ask about | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Pickup, receiving, packaging or preparation, export documentation | Collection point and authorized work |
| International transport | Freight and applicable route surcharges | Billing unit, currency, validity and routing |
| Destination operations | Handling, deconsolidation or document release, as applicable | Included, additional or pending; who invoices it |
| Importing | Customs services and applicable duties or taxes | Responsible party and calculation basis to confirm |
| Delivery | Inland transport, appointment and access conditions | Address, postal code and delivery point |
| Receiving | Unloading, equipment and waiting, if applicable | Who supplies equipment and what is contracted |
| Exceptions | Storage, inspections, changes or redelivery, if they occur | Trigger for each charge and authorization process |
Guides for this decision
Continue with your cargo
Preparation information, not individual customs advice. Confirm current requirements for your goods with the import-responsible party.