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Quoting Engine

Mastering the Quoting Engine

A complete, click-by-click guide to finding the best shipping rates. Learn how to generate instant quotes or request specialized pricing.

i How the System Works (The Two Paths)

Before you start, it is important to understand that our engine works in two modes. Depending on what you are shipping and where it is going, the result will be different.

Path A: Instant Rate

Use this for standard shipments on major trade lanes.

✓ General Cargo (Not Hazardous)
✓ Standard Container (FCL)
✓ Port-to-Port Service
Result: You see a Price & Book immediately.

Path B: Custom Request

Use this for complex logistics or remote destinations.

• Air Freight (Always Custom)
• Dangerous Goods / Batteries
• Oversized / Special Equipment
Result: "Request Sent" → Human Response in 24h.

The quoting engine is the heart of our platform. It allows you to check rates 24/7 without needing to send an email or make a phone call.

1

Locate "myCall" Menu

Look at the very top of your screen (the navigation bar). You will see a button labeled myCall next to the language selector. Click on it (or tap if on mobile); if you're not logged in yet, log and come click on myCall again.

2

Select a Service

Inside the dropdown menu, look at the first column named "GET YOUR PRICE". Click on Ocean Freight to begin.
Tip: It doesn't matter which link you click, you can always switch tabs later.

Visual Reference: Header & Mega-Menu Interaction
C
Company Profile myCall
Get Your Price
Ocean Freight ← Click Here
Air Freight
My Quotations

My Shipments

My Bookings
Cargo Tracking
3

Understanding the Layout

You will arrive at the Request A Quote page. On the left side, you will see a large white sidebar with tabs.

  • Ocean Freight: The default tab for containers and sea cargo.
  • Air Freight: Click this if your cargo must fly.
  • My Quotations: This is your history log (we will cover this in Section E).
Scenario Shipping a Standard Container (e.g. 40ft) from China to Africa.

1. Select Ports (Autocomplete)

  • A. Origin: Click field & start typing (e.g. "Sha"). Wait 1 second for the menu. Important: You MUST click a suggestion (e.g. "Shanghai, CN") to register the ID.
  • B. Destination: Repeat for the arrival port (e.g. "Durban").
  • C. Optional Locations: If you need us to pick up from a factory, enter "Place of Receipt". This switches the request to "Custom Mode".
Shanghai Port Shanghai, China (CN)
CNSGH
Shantou Port Guangdong, China (CN)
CNSWA
Sharjah Port Sharjah, UAE (AE)
AESHJ

2. Select Container & Quantity

Below the map/route section, you will see tabs: FCL Container, LCL Cargo, etc. Ensure FCL Container is active.
Step-by-step Configuration

  1. Find the card for 40' High Cube. Click the (+) Plus Button until the quantity matches your requirements (e.g. 1).

  2. Once you add a quantity, the "Weight" field activates. Enter the estimated cargo weight per container in KG (e.g. 15000).

  3. What is SOC?

    SOC stands for "Shipper Owned Container". Only check this box if you own the physical container. For standard bookings where carriers provide the equipment, leave this unchecked.

Visual Reference: FCL Container Selector 1x Active

20' Standard (20GP)

0

40' High Cube (40HC)

1
Shipper Owned (SOC)

3. Cargo Details

  • Commodity Name: Type a general description (e.g. "Furniture"). Misdeclaring cargo can affect Customs and loading configurations.
  • Cargo Readiness Date: Select the date your supplier will have the goods ready. The system filters schedules based on this parameters.
Visual Reference: Commodity & DG Parameters DG Active
Dangerous Goods (DG)

Commodity requires specific technical checks. Form has entered custom request mode.

4. Dangerous Goods Declaration

You must specify details if your goods are hazardous (IMO Classification).

Required DG Parameters:
  • UN Number: The 4-digit code (e.g. 3480).
  • IMO Class: The classification division (e.g. 9).
  • MSDS / Certificate: A PDF safety sheet must be attached before submission.
Visual Reference: Red DG Form Parameters Upload Verified
MSDS_Lithium_Battery.pdf
1.4 MB
Use this mode when you do NOT have enough cargo to fill a whole container. We calculate rates based on Volume (CBM).

Step 1: Switch Mode

By default, the engine is on "FCL". Click the second button LCL Cargo to activate the packing list calculator.

Control Tab Switch Interface
FCL Container LCL Cargo ← Active Special Eq. Bulk / BB

Step 2: Add Line Items (Detailed)

  • Dimensions: You MUST enter Length × Width × Height in centimeters (CM).
  • Quantity: How many packages of this exact size?
  • Component: Dynamic Packing List Matrix 1 Item Added
  • Pro Tip: Duplicate Row

    If you have multiple line items of similar size, click the Copy Icon at the end of the row to duplicate the entry parameters.

Step 3: Check Totals

At the bottom of the list, a Blue Summary Bar updates in real-time. Check the Total Volume.

Dynamic Live Calculations
TOTAL PACKAGES: 2 TOTAL VOLUME: 3.072 m³ TOTAL GROSS WEIGHT: 680.0 kg

Step 4: Finalize & Submit

Once totals look correct, scroll down to the "Commodity Details" section.

  1. Enter Commodity Name (e.g. "Textiles").
  2. Select Cargo Ready Date.
  3. Click Request Custom Rate. LCL quotes are calculated manually by our consolidators.

This section handles two very different types of cargo: Temperature Controlled (Reefers) and Oversized (Open Top/Flat Rack).

1. Choose Equipment Type

Click the card corresponding to your need. The form below will change based on your selection.

If you select REEFER (RF)

For frozen food, pharmaceuticals, or perishables.

A. Temperature: Enter the set point (e.g. -18.0) and choose Unit (°C / °F).
B. Ventilation: For fresh fruit that breathes, enter CBM/hr (e.g. 15). For frozen, enter 0.
40' HC Reefer (40_rq) 1x Counter
Temp: -18.0 °C
Ventilation: 0 CBM/hr
Humidity: 75%
If you select OPEN TOP / FLAT RACK

For cargo that doesn't fit in standard container specifications (Machinery).

A. Over-Dimensions: Only enter the dimensions that exceed standard dimensions.
B. Upload (Required): You MUST upload a PDF/JPG of the technical drawing showing lifting points.
20' Flat Rack (20_fr) Limit Exceeded
Over-length detected: Cargo length (620cm) exceeds 20' Flat Rack parameters. Please choose a 40' Flat Rack.
L:620 cm
W:260 cm
H:310 cm

3. Submission

All Special Equipment requests go to our Project Cargo Desk for feasibility checks.

Step 1: Choose Bulk Type

Toggle between "Dry Bulk" (Grains, Ore) and "Breakbulk" (Loose Machines).

Step 2: Enter Technical Data
  • For Dry Bulk: Enter "Stowage Factor" (Density) and Loading Rate.
  • For Breakbulk: Add a row for each item type with exact L x W x H in Meters.
Breakbulk Item Matrix
Step 3: Upload & Submit

Uploading an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or Cargo Spec Sheet is mandatory for these request types.

1. Select "Air Freight" Tab

Click the Air Freight option within the dashboard header tab to swap input matrices.

2. Search by IATA Code

Use standard three-letter IATA codes (e.g. PVG, LOS, JNB) for precise route querying.

Air Freight Routing Engine
✈️ Air Freight Active
PVG Shanghai Pudong Intl (China)
LOS Murtala Muhammed (Nigeria)

3. Enter Volumetric Data

Automatic Calculation: Input dimensions (L x w x H in cm) and Gross Weight (kg). The system calculates Chargeable Weight dynamically based on the IATA 1:167 volumetric ratio.

Air Cargo Dynamic packing matrix IATA Ratio (1:167) Loaded
Total Packages:10 Cartons
Total Cargo Volume:0.800 CBM
Actual Gross Weight (10 pkgs x 15 kg):150.0 kg
Final IATA Chargeable Weight 150.00 KG

Note: Total volumetric weight is 133.60 kg (0.800 CBM * 167). Since actual weight (150kg) is higher, rate is charged on actual weight.

Key Principle: All maritime tariff rates fluctuate based on market capacity. A quote is only binding once converted into an issued Booking before expiration.
1

Quote Expiry

Every quote has a "Valid Until" date (usually the end of the current month).
Rule: You must secure a Booking Reference number before this date to lock in the price.

2

Subject to Change Parameters

  • BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor): Fuel adjustments applied monthly.
  • GRI (General Rate Increase): Imposed by carriers during peak seasons.
  • Space Allocation: A quotation estimates price but does not guarantee vessel space until booking.

Scenario A: Instant Quote Success

Available for standard FCL shipments. Review price parameters, select your preferred sailing, and book directly.

Interactive Component: Instant Quote Option Matrix Rates Active
PIL

Pacific International Lines

VESSEL: KOTA LEKAS (V. 26A)

ETD: 25 Jul → ETA: 19 Aug
Transit: 25 Days | Closing: 21 Jul
Voyage Total $2,850

Scenario B: The Manual Request Lifecycle

Step 1
Submission: The system logs your parameters. Your My Quotations dashboard indicates "PENDING".
Step 2
Notification: Once calculated, you receive an automated email. The status transitions to "READY".
Step 3
Booking Confirmation: Open the Quotation details, inspect the finalized pricing breakdown, and click Request Booking.
Alt
Expirations: Unconfirmed offers expire automatically after validity dates have passed, or we couldn't secure space on that specific voyage.

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