Choose a transport option using the actual goods, finished package measurements, cargo-ready date and required handover. Express, air freight, LCL and FCL describe different shipment arrangements. Ask for an assessment against the same cargo brief so you can compare the full scope, charges and timing without assuming one option is always cheaper or faster.
Compare the same handover points
A terminal-to-terminal service and a door-delivery service have different scopes. Ask each quote to identify collection, destination handling and final delivery clearly.
Record who arranges each stage and who pays for it. State whether the request includes supplier collection, preparation in China and delivery to the receiving address. A transport mode by itself does not establish customs representation, duties, taxes, unloading or insurance.
Understand the four options
- Express shipping: start with individual parcels or smaller orders. Ask about the proposed service’s package limits, measurement basis and product acceptance.
- Air freight: request a cargo assessment for an air transport plan. Clarify chargeable weight, airport handling and whether the scope ends at a terminal or receiving address.
- LCL ocean freight: LCL means less than container load, using shared-container space. Confirm volume, stackability, consolidation, destination handling and release arrangements.
- FCL ocean freight: FCL means full container load. Ask the provider to assess equipment and loading feasibility using the cargo list, package dimensions, weights and site conditions.
Consider volume and urgency together
Share the cargo dimensions, weight and required delivery date. Express, air freight, LCL and FCL are assessment options rather than interchangeable promises of price or speed.
Separate the supplier’s expected ready date from the date the cargo can actually be collected after packing. If some items are urgent, ask whether a split shipment is feasible and what extra preparation or handling it would involve. Use the packed volume calculator to organise measurements; its result is not a carrier’s chargeable weight or an equipment-fit assessment.
Review the complete cost
Confirm preparation, transport, destination and optional services separately. Check which charges are excluded and who is responsible for arranging or paying them.
For each quote, record currency, calculation basis, included work, exclusions and validity. Mark unresolved items as awaiting confirmation instead of entering a zero price. The freight quote breakdown guide explains the cost groups to compare. Download the freight quote comparison worksheet (TXT) to record each proposal against the same scope.
Confirm timing and acceptance
Distinguish an estimated schedule from a confirmed booking. The team needs to review the actual goods, route and available service before processing.
Ask which stages a timing estimate covers and which details could change it. Provide special-product information before dispatch, and keep unresolved questions visible. If measurements or supplier readiness are missing, use the shipment preparation checklist to collect them before treating a preliminary comparison as final.
Explore the shipment options → or ask the team to help assess a suitable option.
