A freight quotation is only as reliable as the shipment information behind it. An early estimate can help with budgeting, but the booking and final cost should be reviewed against the actual packed cargo.
This checklist helps importers prepare a complete enquiry before contacting a China freight forwarder.
Product information
Provide the commercial product name, material and intended use. These details help identify handling restrictions, documentation needs and questions that should be referred to the destination customs broker.
Include information about:
- Batteries or battery-powered products
- Liquids, powders, chemicals or aerosols
- Magnets or pressurised items
- Food, plants or animal-derived materials
- Used machinery or equipment
- Solid timber, bamboo or natural packing materials
- Branded goods or products subject to intellectual-property controls
Do not describe the cargo only as “parts,” “accessories” or “samples.”
Package details
For each package type, provide:
- Number of cartons, pallets, crates or machines
- External length, width and height
- Gross weight
- Packaging material
- Whether packages can be stacked
- Photographs after packing
The freight forwarder needs external packed dimensions, not the product dimensions shown in a catalogue.
For oversized cargo, provide the dimensions and weight of every piece. Also explain lifting points, centre-of-gravity concerns and whether a forklift or crane is required.
Origin information
Provide the full pickup address or at least the Chinese city and district. Confirm:
- Supplier contact person and phone number
- Cargo-ready date
- Loading hours and appointment rules
- Whether the supplier can load the vehicle
- Whether goods need to enter a consolidation warehouse
- Agreed Incoterm, such as EXW or FOB
When several suppliers are involved, list every supplier separately with the estimated package details and ready date.
Destination information
For port delivery, provide the destination port. For door delivery, provide the complete postcode and explain:
- Commercial warehouse, residential address or jobsite
- Forklift, dock or crane availability
- Vehicle-access restrictions
- Appointment and operating hours
- Whether the container can remain for unloading
- Whether labour is required
Delivery conditions can materially change the vehicle and cost.
Service scope
Tell the forwarder what you expect the quotation to include:
- Factory pickup
- China warehouse receiving or consolidation
- Export packing or palletising
- Export customs declaration
- FCL, LCL, air freight or express
- Cargo insurance
- Destination customs clearance
- Duty and tax arrangement
- Port-to-door delivery
- Unloading or special equipment
Avoid using “door to door” as the only instruction. Ask for a written list of inclusions and exclusions.
Commercial and document information
Before booking, prepare or confirm:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Supplier and buyer legal names
- Cargo value and currency
- HS code information for broker review
- Country of origin
- Required certificates or permits
- Wooden packaging declaration
- Consignee and notify-party information
Documents should use consistent product descriptions, quantities, weights and values.
Dates and schedule expectations
The production completion date may not be the cargo-ready date. Packing, inspection and paperwork can require additional time.
State the date the cargo can actually be collected. If arrival is needed before a deadline, provide the required delivery date and explain why. Freight schedules are subject to carrier changes, congestion, weather and customs processes, so allow a reasonable buffer.
Copy-and-send enquiry template
You can copy this list into your email or WhatsApp message:
- Product:
- Material and use:
- Number of packages:
- Dimensions per package:
- Gross weight per package:
- Total volume and weight:
- Pickup city/address:
- Cargo-ready date:
- Destination port/postcode:
- Incoterm:
- Required service scope:
- Special cargo or packaging details:
- Product and packaging photos attached: Yes / No
What happens after the enquiry?
The forwarder should identify missing information, recommend a suitable shipping method and explain the quotation assumptions. Final details should be reconfirmed before booking.
Request a China freight plan from TengYoda or compare our FCL and LCL shipping service.
货运报价的可靠程度取决于背后的货物资料。前期预估可以帮助制定预算，但订舱与最终费用应根据实际包装后的货物重新核对。
以下清单可以帮助进口商在联系中国货代前准备完整询价。
产品信息
提供商业品名、材质和用途，有助于判断操作限制、单证要求，以及需要转交目的地清关行确认的问题。
还应说明是否包含：
- 电池或带电产品
- 液体、粉末、化学品或气雾剂
- 磁性或带压力物品
- 食品、植物或动物来源材料
- 二手机械或设备
- 实木、竹制品或天然包装材料
- 品牌商品或受知识产权管理的产品
不要只把货物描述为“零件”“配件”或“样品”。
包装资料
每种包装形式应提供：
- 纸箱、托盘、木箱或设备数量
- 外包装长、宽、高
- 毛重
- 包装材料
- 能否叠放
- 包装完成后的照片
货代需要的是包装外尺寸，而不是产品目录中的裸机或产品尺寸。
超大件应提供每件尺寸和重量，并说明吊点、重心以及是否需要叉车或吊机。
中国端提货资料
提供完整提货地址，或至少提供中国城市和区县，同时确认：
- 供应商联系人和电话
- 备货日期
- 装货时间和预约要求
- 供应商能否负责装车
- 是否需要进入集运仓
- 与供应商约定的EXW、FOB等贸易条款
涉及多家供应商时，应分别列出每家的预估包装和备货日期。
目的地资料
港口交付需提供目的港；到门派送需提供完整邮编，并说明：
- 商业仓库、住宅还是施工现场
- 是否有叉车、月台或吊机
- 车辆通行限制
- 预约和营业时间
- 集装箱能否在现场等待卸货
- 是否需要安排卸货人员
送货条件可能明显改变车型和费用。
所需服务范围
说明希望报价包含哪些工作：
- 工厂提货
- 中国仓库收货或集运
- 出口包装或打托
- 出口报关
- 整柜、拼箱、空运或快递
- 货物保险
- 目的地清关
- 关税和税费安排
- 港到门派送
- 卸货或特殊设备
不要只写“门到门”，应要求书面列出包含和除外项目。
商业与单证资料
订舱前准备或确认：
- 商业发票
- 装箱单
- 供应商和采购商法定名称
- 货值和币种
- 供清关行审核的HS编码资料
- 原产国
- 所需证书或许可证
- 木质包装声明
- 收货人和通知方信息
不同文件中的品名、数量、重量和货值应保持一致。
日期与船期要求
生产完成日期不一定等于可提货日期，包装、验货和单证还可能需要额外时间。
应说明货物实际可以提取的日期。如果必须在某个时间前到货，请说明目标日期和原因。船期会受承运人调整、拥堵、天气和清关影响，需要预留合理缓冲时间。
可直接复制的询价格式
- 品名：
- 材质与用途：
- 包装件数：
- 每件尺寸：
- 每件毛重：
- 总体积与重量：
- 提货城市／地址：
- 备货日期：
- 目的港／邮编：
- 贸易条款：
- 所需服务范围：
- 特殊货物或包装信息：
- 是否附产品和包装照片：是／否
提交询价后会发生什么？
货代应指出缺失资料、建议合适的运输方式，并说明报价假设。订舱前还应再次确认最终资料。
向腾又达咨询中国货运方案，或比较我们的整柜与拼箱服务。