What is the minimum freight quote checklist?

Lane, ship window, commodity, pieces, weight, dimensions, and facility type. Missing any of those forces a guess. Add class, extra stops, and border if they apply.

Do I need photos on the checklist?

They are the fastest way to catch height, overhang, and poor wrap before a reclass. Attach them when the freight is stacked as it will ship.

Should I put a target rate on the checklist?

You can state a budget band, but do not hide dims to hit it. We will quote the freight that exists. If FTL beats LTL, we will say so.

Where do I send the freight quote checklist?

shipping@colfreightsolutions.com or 561-880-9808. Spanish or English. Include USDOT 4427559 / MC-1741651 on your vendor file when you onboard us.

Cost & quotes

Freight Quote Checklist: The Data a Desk Needs Before It Can Price

A complete freight quote checklist prevents reclass, missed liftgates, and dual-mode confusion. Copy it into the email before you hit send.

Updated 2026-08-20 · freight quote checklist

Request a quote See the Cost Recovery Program

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A freight quote checklist is the difference between a number you can put on a bill of lading and a number that evaporates when the driver sees the freight. Warehouses that send “two pallets, ASAP, to Texas” force the desk to invent class, height, and a liftgate. Invented quotes do not survive pickup.

COL Freight Solutions is a licensed property broker (USDOT 4427559, MC-1741651). Copy the list below into your email to shipping@colfreightsolutions.com or have it ready when you call 561-880-9808. We quote FTL, LTL, warehousing, and USA–Mexico–Canada lanes from those facts.

The freight quote checklist: identity of the shipment

Origin and destination as ZIP or city/state/country. Pickup date window and delivery need date. Commodity in plain language. Piece count, pallet count, scale weight, and L×W×H of each handling unit as it will sit on the trailer—including the pallet.

If you already know the NMFC item and class, print them. If you do not, include enough dimensions for density. Do not pick class 70 because it is in the middle of the dropdown.

Facility and service facts

Dock versus liftgate versus forklift on the ground. Appointment versus first-come. Live load versus drop trailer. Extra stops. Limited access, residential, or inside delivery. Hazardous, temperature, or overlength flags.

Photos of the stacked freight with a tape in the frame.
Receiving hours and any lumper rules.
Whether the move includes a cruce fronterizo.

Mode choice belongs on the checklist too

Say if you need exclusive use, or if LTL is acceptable. If you are unsure, ask for both. Linear feet and stack height decide more arguments than opinion. For international, name the crossing or the ocean/inland split so we do not price a domestic van for a border handoff.

Value, insurance, and who to bill

Declared value if the policy or LTL tariff requires it. Billing party and any third-party setup. Reference numbers your AP will need on the invoice. Missing this block does not make freight free; it makes the invoice bounce.

Send it once, compare fairly

Use the same freight quote checklist with every desk you invite. COL Freight will price that pack, flag fuel, and name likely accessorials. Recurring checklists on the same corridor are also how we see Transportation Cost Recovery Program™ fit. Offices in Saint Petersburg, FL and Los Gatos, CA.

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