Pickup and delivery
- Pickup and delivery ZIP codes, plus street addresses when available.
- Whether either location is residential or otherwise has special access requirements.
- Whether a suitable loading dock is available and whether liftgate service may be needed.
- Whether the location has limited-access characteristics such as a construction site, school, church, military facility, or another site the carrier may treat specially.
- Whether the receiver requires an appointment. This should be confirmed rather than assumed.
The freight
- Length, width, height, and weight for each distinct handling unit. Include the pallet and packaging in the tendered dimensions.
- A clear commodity description. The description matters because the NMFC item can matter in addition to density.
- Declared value, if applicable, along with an understanding that carrier liability and cargo coverage are governed by carrier rules and the shipment terms.
- Hazardous-material status. If the product may be regulated, check the manufacturer’s documentation and the applicable federal requirements rather than guessing.
Contacts and timing
- Pickup contact name and phone number.
- Delivery contact name and phone number, if different.
- Requested ship date, if known.
- Any delivery-window, appointment, or special-handling instructions already provided by the receiver.
Before requesting a quote
- Calculate density for each handling unit and note the density-based class estimate.
- Review whether the commodity could have an item-specific NMFC provision.
- Confirm any liftgate, residential, limited-access, appointment, hazmat, or other carrier-specific requirements.
- Make sure the dimensions and weight describe the freight as it will actually be tendered.
Hazmat note
OSHA’s SDS rules identify Section 14 as “Transport information,” but Sections 12–15 are not mandatory under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. PHMSA explains that the transportation description and classification requirements come from the federal hazardous-materials regulations. An SDS can be useful, but it is not a substitute for determining the shipment’s actual regulatory requirements.
The goal of this checklist is simple: give the carrier or broker accurate information before the quote is built, so the quote is based on the shipment you actually intend to tender.
Sources & methodology
The checklist combines primary classification/regulatory guidance with carrier examples. Carrier-specific services and charges still need to be confirmed with the carrier.
Rate Farm turns these details into a shipment profile and Shipment Brief.
Analyze My Shipment