6 Simple Steps to Book Your Freight Quote and Ship Today

Understanding the process at a glance

Enter precise commodity details, packaging, dimensions, and weight so the price you see matches the final invoice. Select services and location types – residential, liftgate, inside, school, or airport – to avoid delays and extra fees.

Compare carriers by price, transit time, and rating. Review liability, guaranteed delivery, and cost breakdown before you choose protection and payment. Apply rewards, accept terms, and place the order to get an order number and BOL.

Why this works: clear inputs, verified addresses, and the right protection reduce exceptions and detention. Follow this guide and you’ll shorten time-to-quote, control cost, and keep your shipping on schedule.

A simple snapshot of the process helps you line up pickup times, service options, and carrier availability. Launch Quick Quote from the dashboard top-right, pick the proper service, and enter pickup and delivery locations using the site autocomplete to cut errors.

Plan lead times: most LTL requires at least 24 hours, while Full Truckload/Dry Van recommends 48 hours for on-time pickup. LTL also uses a 3-hour pickup/delivery window, with deliveries usually in the morning and pickups in the afternoon.

• Sort generated rates by best value, lowest price, quickest time, or carrier rating to match internal SLAs.
• Review guaranteed options and liability early so protection aligns with your risk policy.
• Keep addresses, contact names, references, and access notes ready to prevent appointment and dock delays.

Use this short guide as your quick reference. Build a simple checklist and you can move from initial entry to a booked load in minutes with fewer exceptions.

Log in and start a quick quote

Sign in to your account and use the Quick Quote tool in the dashboard’s top-right to begin. This launches the fastest path from request to a booked shipment and saves repeated data for high-frequency use.

Open a new entry and type the pickup and delivery location. Use the autocomplete for country, city, or postal code to lock in an accurate address and avoid errors.

Select the correct service mode next. Choose LTL for palletized less-than-truckload or Full Truckload with a Dry Van focus for dedicated capacity.

• Confirm you are using the right business profile so saved locations, billing, and terms populate automatically.
• Keep contact and dock information handy to reduce missed pickup events and re-dispatches.
• When ready, move to Get Quotes to compare carrier offers in seconds.

Choose your service and loading date

Choose the right service and set a realistic loading date to lock in capacity and avoid delays. Match your cargo to the proper mode early.

For palletized shipments, select Standard LTL. When you need a dedicated trailer, pick Full Truckload with Dry Van as the common equipment choice.

Select LTL, Full Truckload, or Dry Van based on your shipment

Standard LTL works best for palletized loads and should be scheduled at least 24 hours before pickup. Full Truckload or Dry Van requires more lead time; book a minimum of 48 hours to secure a trailer and the right equipment.

Set a pickup date with recommended lead times

Use the calendar to pick your pickup date and confirm carrier availability. Add cushion during seasonal peaks to avoid rollovers and higher rates.

Match special delivery types such as Amazon FBA

If your delivery goes to Amazon FBA, enable the Amazon-approved carriers filter so only compliant carriers appear. LTL carriers will usually handle the appointment scheduling for Amazon deliveries.

• Consider guaranteed delivery or extra liability when time or value is critical.
• Align handling units and dock needs with the chosen mode to prevent equipment mismatches.
• Validate special delivery rules up front to avoid rejections and added fees.

Enter pickup and delivery details correctly

Start by locking in precise pickup and delivery addresses using the country, city, and postal code autocomplete.

Select the suggested record to verify the delivery location and align with carrier mapping systems.

Pick required services – residential, liftgate, inside pickup/delivery, or driver assist – so crews come prepared.

• Confirm business capabilities: dock, forklift or pallet jack, and truck access before dispatch.
• Flag special locations like school, airport, farm, or gated community to avoid accessorials.
• Provide operating hours and a 3-hour LTL window; deliveries are usually in the morning, pickups in the afternoon. Include onsite contact phone and email; drivers won’t assist without the added driver assist service.

Accurate details cut confusion, reduce extra charges, and help the carrier plan a smooth pickup and delivery for your freight.

Describe your freight accurately

Record exact product details and choose packaging that protects the load during transit. Clear information speeds carrier acceptance and reduces billing corrections.

List the commodity precisely (for example: apparel, lumber, golf balls). Choose pallets or crates when possible; carriers prefer palletized or crated packaging for safe handling.

Enter dimensions (L x W x H) and total weight including all packaging and any overhang. LTL pricing is density-based, so every inch and pound matters.

Quantity and mixed-size handling units

For mixed items, add each size as a separate handling unit so carriers can plan space and equipment. State the number of items and how they are grouped.

Condition and hazard disclosures

Indicate whether goods are new or used and disclose any hazmat status. Accurate declarations ensure compliance and prevent pickup refusals.

• Weigh with a calibrated scale and measure with a tape for accuracy.
• Add notes for odd shapes, overhangs, or special handling needs.
• Keep a product library of frequent shipments to reproduce specs fast.

Get quotes and compare carrier options

Use Get Quotes to surface multiple offers and a clear rate breakdown. Click the button, then review each line for price, transit time, and liability so you pick the best match for your load.

Sort results by best value, lowest price, quickest delivery, or carrier rating. Drill into the info icon to see a full rates view and the carrier’s liability limits.

• Check guaranteed transit options when delivery time is critical.
• Use Staff Picks to leverage curated carriers backed by customer support and performance data.
• Enable the Amazon-approved carriers filter for Amazon deliveries to stay compliant.

Tip: Capture a snapshot of your chosen offer and selection reason. This keeps your team consistent and builds a quick benchmark for future shipping decisions.

Finalize shipment details and timing

Finalize pickup and delivery timing by confirming every on-site contact and address record. Enter full origin and destination addresses and select the validated suggestion from the dropdown to avoid mapping or location mismatches.

Enter full addresses and on-site contact information

List the company name exactly as posted on the building so the carrier can find the correct dock quickly. Add a direct phone, email, and gate code where needed.

Set pickup/delivery windows and appointment preferences

For LTL, set a minimum 3-hour pickup window; deliveries often arrive in the morning and pickups in the afternoon. For truckload, choose an appointment option: have us schedule, enter your confirmed appointment, or select call-ahead (no appointment).

Add reference numbers and special instructions

Include all required reference numbers, shipment number fields, and staging notes. For Amazon, put the branch code in the Company Name and add Shipment ID/Reference ID in Special Instructions. Verify hours of operation for both ends before confirming.

• Make sure gate procedures and staging directions are clear.
• Review all details to prevent missed appointments and extra charges.

Protect your shipment and confirm payment

Lock in coverage levels and payment details now to make sure your cargo is protected from pickup through delivery.

Enter the declared value that reflects true replacement cost. This lets the system match either standard carrier cargo liability or shipper’s interest insurance to your risk tolerance.

Declared value and insurance choices

Carrier liability is the baseline option. Shipper’s interest fills gaps for higher-value loads and offers broader coverage.

Deductibles and used goods coverage

Note the insurance has a $500 deductible and is not available below that threshold. Used goods keep a carrier limit of $0.10 per pound under standard carrier liability.

Payment, terms, and placing the order

Pick a payment method: add a credit card or apply for a credit line. All major cards are accepted except Discover.

• Review the full cost breakdown and apply Rewards to reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
• Confirm you accept the terms before you click Place Order to avoid disputes later.
• For high-value cargo, prefer shipper’s interest to close liability gaps.

Click Place Order and save records

freight quote booking steps

Log in and launch Quick Quote, then select your mode and set a realistic loading date. This locks capacity and starts the chain to pickup delivery and a confirmed order number.

From quick quote to BOL: the essential flow

Follow a clear flow: choose service, pick a loading date (LTL 24 hours, truckload 48 hours), enter pickup and delivery locations, and describe weight, dimensions, and items.

1. Launch Quick Quote and pick the right mode and date.
2. Enter addresses, contact info, and delivery location details.
3. Describe weight, dimensions, and items; generate rates and compare carrier options.
4. Finalize pickup windows, appointment preferences, and any gate code or special instructions.
5. Select protection, accept terms, and complete payment to receive your order number.
6. Download the BOL immediately and forward it to the pickup site if needed.

What to expect after placing your order

After you place the order, you get an order number for tracking and a BOL. LTL carriers usually handle Amazon delivery appointments. For truckload, use the appointment workflow you selected.

• Track the shipment with the order number and watch carrier status updates.
• If address, country, or contact information changes, update it before dispatch to avoid fees.
• Keep this flow as an SOP to reduce surprises and control cost and time.

Common mistakes to avoid and pro tips

Double-check declared dimensions and weight to avoid surprise charges and delays. Small measurement errors can lead to density reclassification and a corrected invoice.

Include packaging and any overhang in every dimension and weight entry. Use calibrated scales and a measurement SOP to keep accuracy consistent.

Dimension/weight inaccuracies and location mismatches

Always mark location type correctly—residential, school, airport, farm, or gated community—so the right equipment and approvals appear on the BOL.

Add liftgate or inside services up front. Drivers will not provide those services unless they are booked, which can cause failed attempts and extra cost.

Scheduling gaps, detention risks, and TONU prevention

Set realistic pickup windows. LTL expects a 3-hour window; deliveries often come in the morning and pickups in the afternoon.

Carriers typically start detention after two hours. Missed windows or incomplete details can cause detention, layover, or a TONU charge.

• Provide precise contact details at origin and destination to reduce dwell time.
• Confirm dock capability for truckload to prevent failed attempts.
• Document lessons learned and share a checklist for each lane to lower recurring issues.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Finish with one final review to make sure addresses, declared value, and contacts match your records.

Accurate commodity, packaging, dimensions, and shipment details cut delays and unexpected charges. Use Staff Picks and Amazon-approved filters to narrow carrier choices and compare price, transit, and liability.

Understand insurance terms and used-goods limits so high-value cargo gets proper protection. Pay with a credit card (no Discover) or a credit line, then complete booking to receive the order number and BOL.

Follow this guide across your business lanes to standardize shipping, keep shipments predictable, and hand operations the documents they need to move cargo with speed and control.