A freight shipping quote is a carrier’s price for moving a specific shipment, and it’s only as accurate as the details you give: pickup and delivery ZIP codes, freight class or NMFC item, total weight, dimensions, number of pallets, and any accessorial services such as liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery. With those details in hand, you can get an LTL freight quote online in minutes and compare several carriers on the same shipment.
This guide lists everything a carrier needs for an accurate freight quote, explains how freight class works after the 2025 NMFC density changes, and shows why quotes change after pickup and how to prevent it. It doesn’t publish price figures, because freight pricing depends on lane, class, weight and the carrier’s tariff on the day you ship.
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What information do you need for a freight shipping quote?
Carriers price LTL freight on the lane, the freight’s class and weight, the space it takes on the trailer, and the extra handling at each end. Gather these details before you request a quote:
| Quote input | What to provide | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Origin and destination | Full ZIP codes for pickup and delivery | Sets the lane, the serving terminals and the transit time |
| Location type | Business with a dock, business without a dock, residence or limited-access site | Determines which equipment and accessorials the carrier needs |
| Freight class / NMFC item | The NMFC item number and class for the commodity | Class is a core input to LTL pricing |
| Weight | Total weight including pallets and packaging | Carriers rate by weight and can reweigh at the terminal |
| Dimensions | Length, width and height of each pallet or handling unit, in inches | Used to calculate density and trailer space |
| Handling units | Number of pallets, crates or loose pieces, and whether they can be stacked | Non-stackable freight uses more trailer space |
| Accessorials | Liftgate, inside delivery, residential, limited access, appointment or notify-before-delivery | Each is a separate service that must be requested in advance |
| Special handling | Hazardous materials, temperature control or high-value contents | Affects which carriers will quote and the documents required |
Pallet dimensions are where many quotes go wrong. Measure the loaded pallet at its widest points, including any overhang, and round up to the next inch. Most U.S. freight moves on 48 x 40 inch pallets, and our guide to standard pallet sizes lists the other common footprints.
How does freight class affect a freight shipping quote?
Freight class is a standard rating from the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). There are 18 classes, from 50 to 500, based on four transportation characteristics: density, handling, stowability and liability. Lower classes generally describe dense, durable freight that is easy to load; higher classes describe light, bulky, fragile or high-value freight.
The NMFC changed significantly on July 19, 2025, when NMFTA Docket 2025-1 took effect. Many commodities moved to full density-based classification, many generic item descriptions were consolidated, and the general density scale expanded from 11 to 13 subprovisions. If you used a class from an older bill of lading, check it against the current NMFC before quoting.
How to calculate freight density
- Measure length, width and height of the loaded pallet in inches.
- Multiply the three numbers and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet.
- Divide the total weight in pounds by the cubic feet to get pounds per cubic foot (PCF).
- Match the PCF to the density scale for the commodity’s NMFC item.
For example, a 48 x 40 x 48 inch pallet is about 53.3 cubic feet; at 800 lb, its density is about 15 PCF. Our freight class calculator guide walks through more examples, and the LTL class chart shows how density ranges map to classes.
Which accessorial services should you add to a freight quote?
Accessorials are services beyond standard dock-to-dock pickup and delivery. They’re the most common reason a final freight bill differs from the quote, because a driver who arrives without the right equipment will either bill for it afterward or reschedule.
- Liftgate: needed when the pickup or delivery location has no loading dock or forklift.
- Residential: deliveries or pickups at homes, including home-based businesses.
- Limited access: sites with restricted entry or hours, such as schools, churches, military bases, construction sites, farms and storage units. Each carrier’s tariff defines the list.
- Inside delivery: moving the freight past the threshold of the building rather than leaving it at the door or dock.
- Appointment or notify: the carrier calls ahead or delivers within a scheduled window.
- Hazardous materials: regulated freight requires proper classification, labeling and documentation.
Freight bills itemize these services, which our overview of LTL freight rates and surcharge types explains in more detail.
How do you get a freight shipping quote online?
Online quoting is the fastest way to compare carriers, because one set of shipment details returns several prices at once. The process takes a few minutes if your information is ready:
- Enter the pickup and delivery ZIP codes and select the location type for each.
- Add each handling unit with its weight, dimensions, freight class and stackability.
- Select every accessorial needed at pickup and delivery.
- Compare the carriers’ prices and transit times, then book the one that fits your schedule.
- Print the bill of lading, label the pallets and have the freight ready for pickup.
You can get an LTL freight shipping quote in the PalletPath freight quote tool, which compares carriers including ABF, TForce, Oak Harbor, FedEx Freight Priority and Roadrunner. PalletPath is the LTL freight arm of ParcelPath, and the LTL freight quote guide covers how to book once you’ve chosen a carrier. Our freight calculator guide explains how online freight estimates are calculated.
The bill of lading is the contract between you and the carrier, and its details must match the quote. Our guide to the bill of lading and how to fill one out covers each field.
Why does a freight shipping quote change after pickup?
An LTL quote is based on the details you entered. Carriers can inspect, reweigh and remeasure freight at the terminal, and if the actual weight, dimensions or class differ from the bill of lading, they issue a correction and bill the difference. The most common causes are:
- Weight entered without the pallet and packaging.
- Dimensions taken from the product rather than the loaded pallet.
- An outdated or guessed freight class, especially after the 2025 NMFC changes.
- Accessorials needed at delivery that weren’t requested, such as a liftgate or residential delivery.
Ask for the inspection or reweigh certificate if a correction seems wrong; it records what the carrier measured. Keeping photos of each loaded pallet with its dimensions makes disputes faster to resolve.
Should you request an LTL or a full truckload quote?
Request an LTL quote when your freight fills only part of a trailer, typically one to several pallets. LTL carriers share trailer space among shippers and move freight through terminals, which keeps cost down for smaller shipments but adds handling. Request a full truckload or volume quote when the freight fills most of a trailer, can’t be rehandled safely, or needs a direct transit with no terminal stops.
At the small end, boxes that can be shipped individually may be cheaper as parcels than as a pallet; our shipping calculator guide compares parcel options, and the shipping time calculators guide shows how to estimate parcel delivery dates. For how the LTL network handles freight between pickup and delivery, see our complete guide to LTL freight and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to get a freight shipping quote?
To get a freight shipping quote, you need the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the location type at each end, the freight class or NMFC item, total weight including pallets, the dimensions of each handling unit, and any accessorials such as liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery. Missing or estimated details are the main reason a final freight bill differs from the quote.
How accurate is an online freight shipping quote?
An online freight shipping quote is accurate when the shipment details are accurate. Carriers can reweigh and remeasure freight at the terminal, and if the weight, dimensions or class differ from the bill of lading, they issue a correction. Weighing the loaded pallet, measuring its widest points and confirming the current NMFC class prevents most changes.
How do I find the freight class for my quote?
Find the NMFC item for your commodity, then check whether it uses a fixed class or a density scale. For density-based items, divide the weight by the cubic feet of the loaded pallet to get pounds per cubic foot and match it to the scale. Since July 19, 2025, NMFTA has used a 13-subprovision density scale for many items.
Does a freight shipping quote include liftgate or residential delivery?
A freight shipping quote includes liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery only when you add them as accessorials. Standard LTL pricing assumes dock-to-dock service between businesses. If the driver needs a liftgate or delivers to a home and those weren’t requested, the carrier bills them afterward, so select every needed accessorial when you request the quote.
Sources
- NMFTA: NMFTA Implements Historic NMFC Changes
- NMFTA: Docket 2025-1 Notice of Disposition (effective July 19, 2025)
- NMFTA: 2025 NMFC Changes for LTL Shipments
Part of our Freight Quote: Complete Guide. Related: Freight Calculator, Cheapest Freight Shipping, International Freight Quote.
More in this section: LTL freight rates, shipping pallets.
