Getting accurate, competitive freight quotes starts with providing thorough information to your logistics provider.
This comprehensive checklist will help you gather all the essential details before requesting a shipping quote. Having this information ready not only speeds up the quoting process but also helps ensure you receive the most accurate pricing and appropriate service recommendations.
Feel free to copy this template and use it as your pre-quote information gathering tool. Simply fill in the details for your specific shipment, and you'll be fully prepared when contacting your logistics provider.
Company Information
Company Name:
Contact Person:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Billing Address:
Shipment Details
Origin Information
Pickup Location (Full Address):
Facility Type: (Distribution Center, Manufacturing Facility, Warehouse, Residential, Other)
Loading Hours:
Loading Dock Available: (Yes/No)
Forklift Available: (Yes/No)
Any Access Restrictions:
Destination Information
Delivery Location (Full Address):
Facility Type: (Distribution Center, Manufacturing Facility, Warehouse, Residential, Other)
Delivery Hours:
Receiving Dock Available: (Yes/No)
Forklift Available: (Yes/No)
Any Access Restrictions:
Timing Requirements
Desired Pickup Date:
Pickup Time Window (if applicable):
Required Delivery Date:
Delivery Appointment Required: (Yes/No)
Flexibility: (Must be exact dates, +/- 1 day, +/- 2 days, Flexible)
Shipment Frequency
Is this a recurring shipment? (One-time, Regular, Periodic)
If recurring, frequency: (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Other)
Estimated annual shipments on this lane:
Freight Details
Commodity Information
Product Description:
Packaged For Transport: (Yes/No)
Freight Class (if known):
Value of Goods: $
Is this hazardous material? (Yes/No)
If hazardous, UN Number and Class:
Dimensions and Weight
Total Weight: (lbs)
Freight Type: (Palletized, Floor-loaded, Crated, Other)
For Palletized Freight:
Number of Pallets:
Dimensions (L×W×H): (inches per pallet)
Weight per Pallet: (lbs)
Stackable: (Yes/No)
For Floor-loaded or Other Freight:
Total Cubic Feet:
Total Linear Feet:
Overall Dimensions (L×W×H): (inches)
Special Handling Requirements
Temperature Requirements: (None, Refrigerated - Temperature range)
Special Handling Needed: (Fragile, Top-heavy, Oversized, Time-sensitive)
Other Special Requirements:
Equipment and Service Requirements
Equipment Type Needed
(Select one)
- Dry Van (standard enclosed trailer)
- Refrigerated Trailer (reefer)
- Flatbed
- Step Deck
- Conestoga (covered flatbed)
- RGN (Removable Gooseneck)
- Double Drop
- Hotshot (pickup truck with trailer)
- Intermodal Container
- Other:
Service Level
(Select one)
- Full Truckload (FTL)
- Partial Truckload (4+ pallets, 4,000+ lbs)
- Less-than-Truckload (LTL)
- Expedited
- Economy
- Intermodal
Additional Services Required
(Select all that apply)
- Liftgate service
- Inside pickup/delivery
- Limited access location
- Residential pickup/delivery
- Driver assist with loading/unloading
- Tarping (for flatbed)
- Trailer drop/trailer pool
- Lumper services (loading/unloading labor)
- Detention anticipated
- Other:
Loading/Unloading Responsibility
Loading will be done by: (Shipper personnel, Driver, Third-party lumpers)
Unloading will be done by: (Receiver personnel, Driver, Third-party lumpers)
Estimated time to load: (hours)
Estimated time to unload: (hours)
Insurance Requirements
Cargo Insurance Requirement: $ (standard is $100,000)
Additional Insurance Requirements:
Additional Information
Special Instructions or Requirements:
Why this information matters
Having complete information before requesting a quote helps your logistics provider in several important ways:
- Equipment Selection: Precise dimensions and weight information ensures the right equipment is assigned to your shipment.
- Accurate Pricing: Details about accessorial services, special handling needs, and facility capabilities allow for comprehensive pricing without surprises later.
- Proper Planning: Information about timing requirements and loading/unloading responsibilities helps in creating realistic schedules.
- Carrier Matching: For brokerage operations, having detailed information helps match your load with carriers specifically equipped to handle your requirements.
- Risk Management: Understanding the value of your freight and any special handling requirements helps ensure proper insurance coverage and handling procedures.
By using this template to gather all necessary information before contacting your logistics provider, you'll streamline the quoting process and increase the likelihood of receiving the most competitive and accurate quote possible.
Remember that logistics providers like Badger Logistics are here to help. If you're uncertain about any of these details or need assistance determining the right equipment or service level, don't hesitate to ask. With our experience across various freight types and industries, we can guide you through the information-gathering process to ensure your shipping needs are properly addressed.
Talk to us for a competitive rate quote
At Badger Logistics, we combine asset-based trucking with extensive brokerage capabilities, warehousing, and maintenance services to provide integrated logistics solutions for Wisconsin shippers. This guide reflects not just my personal experience but the collective wisdom of our team, which brings over a century of combined Wisconsin logistics experience to every shipment we handle.
While freight transportation will always involve challenges, the right approach and partnerships can transform logistics from a constant struggle into a sustainable competitive advantage. I hope this guide helps you navigate Wisconsin's unique shipping environment more effectively.
For specific questions or to discuss your particular freight challenges or to get a competitive quote, feel free to reach out directly or submit the quote request form below. We'll be in touch within one business day.
