Start with the lane
Send the origin city or port, destination address or city, supplier contact if available, and whether the cargo needs pickup, port-to-port, airport-to-door, warehouse delivery, or full door-to-door service.
If you only know part of the lane, say so. A good forwarder can still help narrow the options.
Describe the cargo clearly
Include commodity description, carton or pallet count, dimensions, gross weight, volume if known, value, stackability, hazardous status if applicable, temperature requirements, and whether the freight is fragile or oversized.
Photos, packing lists, and supplier carton details can save time, especially for LCL, air cargo, and special handling.
Include timing and terms
Ready date, target delivery date, purchase terms, Incoterms, and urgency all affect the routing. A shipment that is “ready now” may still miss the next sailing if warehouse or terminal cutoffs are already closed.
If the deadline is tied to a launch, production run, retail delivery window, or customer promise, tell your forwarder. That context changes the recommendation.
Ask for the full move
To compare quotes properly, ask what is included and what is not: origin charges, freight, destination handling, customs brokerage, duties, drayage, delivery, fuel, accessorials, and storage risk.
LJM quotes practical, all-in routing so you know what the shipment is likely to cost and where the risks sit.
Need help with this shipment?
If you want a second set of eyes on the lane, documents, timing, or delivery plan, send us the shipment details. We’ll help you understand the options before the freight is already in motion.