When comparing freight quotes, most shippers focus solely on the base rate. But the cheapest quote on paper often turns out to be the most expensive in practice. Here's what to look beyond the number.
Transit Time
A lower rate with 35 days transit vs. a slightly higher rate with 20 days can cost you significantly more in inventory holding costs, especially for high-value goods. Always factor in the total cost of transit time.
Free Detention and Demurrage
Free detention (the time you're allowed to keep the container at your warehouse before returning it) varies widely between carriers. Some offer 7 days, others 21 days. Overage charges can reach $50-$150/day per container.
Port-to-Port vs. Door-to-Door
Make sure you're comparing apples to apples. A port-to-port quote excludes origin/destination haulage, customs clearance, and terminal handling charges (THCs), which can add hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Surcharges and Additional Fees
Watch for:
- **BAF** (Bunker Adjustment Factor) — fuel surcharge
- **CAF** (Currency Adjustment Factor) — currency fluctuation surcharge
- **PSS** (Peak Season Surcharge) — applied during high-demand periods
- **GRI** (General Rate Increase) — market-wide rate increases
Carrier Reliability
On-time performance varies significantly between carriers. A delay at a transshipment hub can cascade into weeks of delays. Check carrier reliability scores and schedule integrity before committing.
OneQuote simplifies this comparison by showing all these factors side by side, so you can make a truly informed decision.
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