What information do I need from the customer to quote freight?

Origin and destination, cargo description, pieces with weights and dimensions, Incoterm, cargo-ready date, and the delivery address with postcode if door delivery is needed. For dangerous goods, the UN number and SDS.

Ask for all of it in one reply rather than one question at a time. If the request has enough to price the main leg, send that with the questions for the rest, so the customer sees a number quickly.

Full guide: The six questions to ask when details are missing.

What to ask for, by mode

• FCL: origin and destination, container type and number, cargo description, gross weight, Incoterm, ready date, delivery address if door delivery.
• LCL: pieces, dimensions and weight per piece (or total m³ and kg), stackability, Incoterm, ready date.
• Air: pieces with dimensions and weights, commodity, any dangerous goods, required delivery date.

When details are missing

Don't stall the reply. Price on clearly stated assumptions ("based on 1 pallet, 1.2 m³, 400 kg, non-hazardous") and ask for the missing details in the same email. The customer gets a number to compare, and you still get the facts you need to confirm it.