What to prepare for a customs or freight quote

Start with your goods, route, shipment size and timing. Tell the provider whether you need freight forwarding, customs brokerage or both. Include the importing country and the information you already have. Clear details help the team identify the work and any missing information before it prices your request.

Describe the shipment

Prepare these details for the initial conversation:

1. The goods, their use and any known handling requirements.
2. Pickup and delivery locations, including countries and postal codes.
3. Package count, total weight and dimensions for freight requests.
4. Cargo-ready date, delivery needs and transport mode, if known.
5. Shipment frequency and the services you need.

Use a specific product description. “Parts” or “general merchandise” gives the provider less to work with than a description of the item, material and intended use. If details are provisional, identify them so the quote can state its assumptions.

Add the customs information you know

Identify the importing business and country of import. Share the available commercial invoice information, goods value and currency, country of origin and route. The country of origin can differ from the country the goods are shipped from.

If you have a tariff classification, origin certification or earlier entry records, say what is available. Ask for help with anything uncertain; do not guess a tariff code to complete an enquiry.

The required documents depend on the goods and destination. U.S. entry rules, for example, cover invoices, identification and other shipment-specific documentation. Some commodities need additional information. See U.S. entry-documentation requirements.

Check what the quote includes

Ask the provider to separate freight charges, brokerage service fees and government duties or taxes. Confirm the pickup and delivery points, any third-party costs and what happens if the shipment details change.

For freight, a port-to-port quote covers a different scope from pickup through final delivery. For brokerage, confirm the country of entry and the services included. A price for moving cargo does not by itself show the customs work included.

Share detailed records securely

A brief shipment summary is enough to start a public enquiry. Arrange a secure way to share invoices, importer account details and other commercial records with the team. Keep payment details and identity documents out of the general message field.

Request the services you need

Review freight forwarding, Canadian customs brokerage or U.S. customs brokerage, then request a quote with the details available.