Every shipment should be reviewed against the exact vehicle, battery, packaging, route and destination. Before accepting a quote, identify the shipper, consignee, importer of record, carrier, customs broker, delivery address and party responsible for each cost.
What a quote should include
- Origin, destination and mode of transport.
- Vehicle and battery description with applicable transport documents.
- Insurance scope, declared value and damage-claim process.
- Freight, port handling, customs brokerage, duties, taxes and final-mile charges.
- Estimated transit window and the events that may cause delay.
Incoterms
FOB and CIF are generally used for sea or inland-waterway transport. CIF covers cost, insurance and freight to the named port, but not all destination import costs. DDP places broad delivery and import-clearance obligations on the seller; use it only where the seller can lawfully meet those obligations. State the named place and Incoterms edition in writing.
Battery acceptance
Obtain the applicable UN 38.3 test summary and any shipment-specific dangerous-goods paperwork. Carrier acceptance must be confirmed before pickup. Rules and documents differ between air, sea and road transport.
All dates and costs remain estimates until confirmed by the responsible carrier, customs broker and supplier.