How to Get a Freight Quote When Exporting from Turkey
For an exporter, getting a freight quote rarely ends with a single email. Missing details, offers that do not look alike and extra charges nobody mentioned all slow the process down. These seven steps help you get quotes faster and make sure you can compare them fairly.
1. Describe the shipment clearly
Where is it going from and to, what are you shipping, how much of it is there and when will it be ready? A forwarder cannot quote properly without the type of cargo, the number and type of packages (pallets, cartons, crates), gross weight, dimensions and the ready date. See our checklist: What information you need for a freight quote.
2. Know your trade terms
The Incoterms® rule agreed with your buyer (EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP and others) decides who pays for freight and up to which point. If you do not tell the forwarder, the quote may cover the wrong scope. Read Incoterms explained.
3. Choose the mode, or ask for options
Road, sea, air or rail? If you are not sure, state your delivery deadline and budget expectations and ask for more than one option. Air or sea freight? can help you decide.
4. Ask several forwarders, with identical information
Send the same details to every company. Quotes based on different information cannot be compared. Several quotes show you the going rate and the scope of service. If you are unsure about the role of each company, read What is a freight forwarder?.
5. Compare quotes like for like
Do not look at the total price alone. Check:
A blank field does not mean zero. If a charge is not mentioned, ask the forwarder. For the reasons quotes differ, see Why freight quotes differ.
6. Plan documents and process early
The commercial invoice, packing list, transport document and, where relevant, origin documents should be ready in advance to avoid delays. Customs formalities are usually handled with a customs broker. For road freight to Europe see Road freight from Turkey to Europe.
7. Confirm in writing
Confirm your chosen quote in writing: price, scope, loading date and validity. Sharing the final weight and dimensions before loading reduces surprise charges later.
How Navloon helps
On Navloon you do the first step with a single box: write your shipment in your own words, we collect quotations from suitable forwarders, and you compare them in your dashboard. Describe your shipment now.
This article is general information and does not replace customs or legal advice.