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Shipper Guide
A clear, complete request helps the right carriers quote quickly — and lets you compare on more than price. Here is what to prepare before you post.
Free to post · No obligation · Compare carriers directly
A clearer request attracts better quotes
Suitable carriers respond
The right equipment and route match your job.
Fewer back-and-forth questions
Common details are answered up front.
Easier, fairer comparison
Timing and inclusions are clear to judge.
The essentials
Work through these before you post. They apply to almost every freight type on Loadshift.
Say what it is, how much there is, and anything unusual about it. A carrier who understands the load can quickly tell whether it suits their vehicle and route.
Measure length, width and height, give the best available weight, and add photos from several angles. This is the single biggest driver of accurate, comparable quotes.
Describe space, surface, gates, overhead limits and any loading equipment available at pickup and delivery. Access often decides which vehicle and price are realistic.
State when the freight is ready, your delivery window, and how flexible you are. Fixed appointments, site inductions or urgent deadlines should be clear from the start.
Check what each quote includes, the proposed vehicle and timing, and the carrier's profile and feedback. The lowest number is not always the best outcome for your freight.
Post the details once and compare obligation-free quotes from suitable carriers.
See the difference
The same job can produce very different quotes depending on how it is described.
Example
Weak brief
“Need something moved from Brisbane to Sydney. How much?”
Better
Quote-ready brief
“One crate, 1.4m × 1.1m × 1.2m, about 320kg, on a timber pallet. Forklift at pickup, no dock at delivery so tailgate needed. Ready this week, flexible on the exact day. Photos and labels attached.”
Use this as a pattern, not a copy-and-paste template. Every job is different.
What a strong request lets carriers judge
Equipment fit
Dimensions, weight and handling tell a carrier whether the job matches their truck.
Access & loading
Space, surface and available equipment shape the method and the time on site.
Timing
Ready dates, windows and flexibility help carriers plan around existing runs.
Inclusions
Clear expectations make quotes comparable and reduce surprises later.
Common questions
General guidance to help you post a strong request. Always confirm the specifics of your job with the carrier before you book.
It varies with the freight type, route and timing. A clear, complete request tends to attract quotes from carriers who genuinely suit the job, which matters more than the raw number of responses.
Not necessarily. The lowest price can exclude loading, waiting, tolls or insurance, or come from a carrier whose vehicle does not suit the job. Compare what each quote includes, the proposed timing and the carrier's feedback before you decide.
Clear, well-lit photos from several angles that show the whole item, its packaging or pallet, any labels, and the pickup and delivery access. Photos answer many questions before a carrier has to ask them.
Yes. Dimensions and weight determine the vehicle, the loading method and how your freight fits with other loads. Accurate figures reduce follow-up questions and prevent failed pickups or revised prices.
Describe what you can see — street type, driveway, gates, surface and any obstacles — and add photos. If either end has no forklift or dock, say so, and let the carrier confirm the equipment they will bring.
Give your best honest estimate, flag anything you are unsure about, and keep questions and messages on-platform so the details stay with the job. Confirm the final specifics with the carrier before you book.
Go further
Each category page adds the specific equipment, access and timing details that matter for that freight.
Category
Sizes, lifting method, site clearance and loaded-weight guidance.
Category
Counts, dimensions, stackability and tailgate or forklift handling.
Category
Transport dimensions, operating condition, permits and route access.
Category
Attachments, loading method, rural access and collection details.
Ready when you are
Prepare the details once, post for free, and compare obligation-free quotes from suitable carriers.
