A shipping quote is a written estimate of the charges and service terms for moving cargo from one place to another. In freight forwarding, it usually reflects the shipment details provided by the shipper, such as origin, destination, commodity, weight, dimensions, and transport mode.
What it usually includes
A quote may cover ocean or air freight, inland trucking, pickup, delivery, documentation support, and other accessorial charges if they are known at the time of pricing. Depending on the route and carrier arrangement, it may also note surcharges, such as fuel-related adjustments, port or terminal costs, or fees tied to special handling. Some items cannot be confirmed until the shipment is booked or the cargo is physically reviewed.
Because rates can change with space, season, routing, and service level, a quote is not always the final invoice. Importers and exporters should verify whether the price is binding or subject to re-rating, whether it includes customs clearance or only transportation, and what assumptions apply to packaging, cargo readiness, and free-time allowances. For example, a quote for a palletized air shipment may differ materially from one for a full ocean container, even when the delivery city is the same.