Quote Readiness Checklist

What do you need to know about the cargo?

• Product name and material, in plain language rather than a marketing name
• HS code if you have one, and the destination tariff line if you know it
• Whether it is new or used, and whether it contains batteries, liquids, powders or magnets
• Whether the destination requires certification, registration or specific labelling

How much space and weight does it take?

• Number of pieces, and whether they are cartons, crates or pallets
• Dimensions per piece in centimetres, measured as the goods will travel
• Total gross weight in kilograms
• Whether the cargo can be stacked, and whether it needs to stay upright

Where is it collected, and when is it ready?

• Supplier address and city for each supplier
• Whether it is one supplier or several that need consolidating
• The date the goods are ready, and whether that date is fixed
• Any access restriction at the pickup address that decides the vehicle

Where is it going, and how should it be delivered?

• Destination country, city and postcode
• Port to port, airport to airport, door to door, DDU or DDP
• If DDP: whether a compliant import arrangement exists for that country and product
• If the consignee is clearing: their importer registration in the destination country

What is the declared value?

• Invoice value and currency, because duty and tax are assessed on it
• Whether freight and insurance are included in that value
• Whether the goods qualify for preferential duty under a free-trade agreement

How do I use this?

Fill it in before you ask for a price rather than after: the details here are what a freight quotation and a customs declaration are built from, and a missing one is what turns into a delay or a re-quote later.