What you need before you start
- Top destinations and monthly shipment count
- Actual and volumetric weights from recent shipments
- Product categories and restricted-item needs
- Pickup emirate/free zone and expected collection frequency
- Current invoice or rate card for a like-for-like comparison
How to compare quotations fairly
Give every courier the same shipment sample. Include rural destinations, heavy cartons and returns—not only the easiest lane. Ask for the rate-card effective dates and billing-weight rule.
- Base transportation charge
- Fuel and security surcharges
- Remote-area and residential delivery fees
- Oversize or non-conveyable handling
- Customs clearance and disbursement fees
- Return-to-origin and address-correction fees
Monthly account and invoicing questions
Ask whether credit is subject to approval, how invoices are disputed, when fuel is updated and whether your account includes a named support contact. Any credit term or minimum volume should be confirmed in the signed account offer.
Use a lane sample, not an average discount
A large percentage discount can still produce a higher bill if it is calculated from a different tariff or excludes common charges. Compare five to ten real historic shipments line by line.
Rate-card comparison worksheet
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Lane | Origin, destination postcode and service |
| Billing weight | Higher of actual or volumetric weight |
| Base charge | Before fuel, duty and handling |
| Likely extras | Fuel, remote area, oversize, clearance, return |
| Final sample cost | The number procurement should compare |
Accuracy note: Carrier acceptance, rates, delivery estimates, duties and document requirements can change by destination, product, value and date. Use this page to plan, then confirm the current requirements and a binding quote before dispatch.