How Freight Quotes Are Calculated
How Freight Quotes Are Calculated
See which factors change a rate, what is typically included or excluded, and which conditions keep a quote valid. Price alone does not confirm carrier acceptance.
What changes a quote
Six inputs drive the available option.
Cargo identity
Battery chemistry, model, electrical rating, condition and whether batteries are shipped alone or with equipment.
Package profile
Carton or pallet count, gross weight, dimensions, packing method and any special handling.
Route
Pickup point, export gateway, destination, transshipment and last-mile delivery request.
Mode and timing
Air, sea FCL/LCL or land options, cargo-ready date, required delivery window and available capacity.
Documents
Test-summary availability, commercial documents, packing evidence and any carrier- or destination-specific requirement.
Responsibility
Agreed trade term, customs role, taxes, insurance request and the exact start and end of the service.
Example structure · no price implied
A clear written offer should separate scope from assumptions.
| Line in the offer | What to check |
|---|---|
| Main transport | Mode, origin and destination gateways, cargo profile and any carrier acceptance condition. |
| Origin services | Pickup, warehouse handling, export processing and dangerous-goods handling if included. |
| Destination services | Arrival handling, customs coordination and final delivery if included. |
| Potential additional charges | Storage, inspection, repacking, rebooking, changed route, customs duties/taxes and insurance when applicable. |
| Validity and conditions | Quote expiry, space and carrier availability, document approval and payment terms. |
Example: “Factory pickup to destination airport” and “airport-to-airport” are different scopes even if both use air freight. Ask for the handoff point to be named in the written offer.
Incoterms® 2020 rules describe sale-contract responsibilities between seller and buyer. They do not, by themselves, list every service a freight forwarder has priced. The quote should spell out the actual services.
Reduce avoidable re-quoting
Tell us what is known and what is still being confirmed.
You can start with estimated quantities. The final offer may change if the battery model, condition, packing, number of packages, route or delivery scope changes.
Useful first message
- Product and battery description
- Origin and destination city
- Battery condition and configuration
- Package count, weight and dimensions if known
- Ready date and requested delivery scope
- Documents already available
Quote boundary
Five cost segments and who usually bears them
Segments by name only; no example prices.
Quote boundary
Five cost segments in a freight quote
Who usually bears each segment under common Incoterms® 2020 rules
| Rule | China origin | Main carriage | Destination port | Import clearance | Final delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| FCA | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| FOB | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| CFR / CIF | Seller | Seller | Per carriage contract | Buyer | Buyer |
| DAP | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller |
| DDP | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
Need an offer for a specific shipment?
Share the facts you have. We will identify the remaining questions before a bookable option is confirmed.
Request a Quote