From the factory door to the first warehouse · Twelve lines before you compare totals
Freight quote comparison checklist
Two freight quotes are only comparable when the same scope is included. Check origin, freight, surcharges, destination, customs, duty, VAT, insurance and demurrage line by line.
Key facts
| Scope | Door-to-door, port-to-port or door-to-port changes the total |
|---|---|
| Billed weight | Confirm actual versus volumetric and the divisor used |
| Surcharges | Fuel, peak season, dangerous goods, oversize and security are often separate |
| Destination | Handling, documentation, customs and delivery may be billed by a local agent |
| Taxes | Duty and import VAT are not freight charges and should be shown separately |
| Official source | The written quote and the forwarder's tariff for the lane |
Compare scope before comparing price
A quote that stops at the destination port is not comparable with a door-to-door quote. List what each quote includes: pickup, export clearance, main freight, destination handling, import clearance, duty, VAT, insurance and delivery. Then compare the totals for the same scope.
Check the validity period and the currency. A rate that expires in seven days is not a budget number, and an exchange-rate assumption can move the total.
The lines sellers forget
Free time at the destination, demurrage, detention, storage and rework are not in the headline rate. Ask how many free days are included and what happens if the container or cargo is not collected on time. For LCL, ask about destination handling and documentation separately.
For DDP quotes, ask whether duty and VAT are included or only advanced, and who is the importer of record. For DAP quotes, tell the buyer what they will pay at the border.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always choose the cheapest quote?
No. Compare the scope, transit time, free time, damage history and the forwarder's experience with the destination. The cheapest headline can carry the most excluded charges.
How do I compare air and sea fairly?
Compare the all-in cost per unit and the cash cycle, not the rate per kilogram or cubic metre. Air costs more per unit but reduces inventory in transit.
What is free time?
The number of days the container or cargo can stay at the terminal or warehouse before demurrage or storage charges begin. Confirm how many days are included and when the clock starts.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.