Quick Quotes Basics

Yes, simply complete the registration process. We will create an account that gives you access to our Quick Quotes tool.

We provide you with a fixed-rated quote that is valid for the number of days that you see in your quote.

The free-time allowance for Best Buyers depends on your routing. If you require more leeway, you can use our Additional Freetime option to buy up to 10 extra days when you place your booking.

Quick Quotes Spot rates have a shorter validity – use Spot when you are ready to book and need to guarantee fulfillment, even if it comes at a premium price. You will also get an instant booking confirmation, so you can get on with your day. Our standard Quick Quotes rates give you extra time to review quotes with customers before deciding to book. For added reassurance, they can be purchased with an additional Shipping Guarantee.

Please check the validity in the quotation, as it may differ depending on the origin and destination. Use our “valid-from” option to select the starting date for validity.

No, the validity of the offer cannot be extended. You can, however, simply submit a new Quick Quotes request to get a valid quote at a later date.

Quick Quotes is an online pricing tool that gives you container shipping rates based on which you can place a booking instantly. There is no option to negotiate these rates online.

Your Quick Quotes contain a fixed rate. No GRI applies during the validity of the offer. Surcharges are subject to change and are those valid at the time of the shipment.

Most but not all surcharges are included. Please see local surcharges and inland costs associated with your cargo for details.

All charges are either export- (origin), import- (destination), or sea-freight-related. Depending on the agreement between shipper and consignee, the charges either have to be prepaid or collected (there might also be legal requirements in some countries).

Yes, simply select the equipment type “Reefer” or “Non-operating Reefer” to receive a Quick Quote for your shipment.

At this time, the reefer feature is available for fresh and frozen cargo only. It is not possible to quote controlled-atmosphere cargo. Please check our FAK definition. If you would like an offer for controlled-atmosphere reefers, please contact your local sales office.

Yes, you can get a quotation for 20' open-top, 40' open-top, and 40' open-top high-cube containers and also flatrack and hard top containers. Simply select the equipment type “open top (in gauge)” to receive a quotation. Please note that rates will only apply for in-gauge cargo. For all other special cargo requests, please contact your local Best Buyers office.

Yes, Quick Quotes is also available for dangerous cargo shipments.

Please check the FAK definition for the exempt commodities. On certain trades, there might be commodity-based rates available that you can see by clicking on “Check commodities.” Hazardous goods and out-of-gauge cargo are generally excluded from Quick Quotes.

This is not currently possible, but we are working on making the tool available for all container types. Please contact your local sales office to get an offer.

Certain commodities can damage the reefer container during stuffing, transport, or unstuffing. Because of the specific construction of reefer containers, the following commodities are not allowed to be loaded into our reefer containers:

• Heavy packages with rough and/or sharp edges and machinery parts that cannot be lashed and secured properly. That can damage the floor, e.g., cargo with more than 3 metric tons weight per running meter.
• Soiled and/or odorous cargo, such as hides or menthol.
• Cement and other similar powders in bags.
• IMO cargo unless approved by Dangerous Goods department.
• Bulk cargo such as grain, scrap metal, etc.
• Potentially corrosive substances (non-dangerous cargo).

For ethical reasons, Best Buyers does not transport any species that are seriously endangered and on the so-called “red list of threatened species”, e.g., whales, dolphins, sharks etc.

This is not yet possible as part of the quotation process. But with our Additional Freetime option, you can easily purchase import detention free time at a discounted price directly after using our Booking tool or via the Best Buyers Navigator. Through this service, you can buy up to 10 extra days in addition to the standard free-time tariffs (10 days) or to your current contractual agreements.

You can look for a location using the UN/LOCODE or the full location name. Searching via ZIP codes is not possible.

Please make sure that we service the selected routing. When in doubt, you can check our service network.

If the quotation includes a start or an end location that is not a seaport, our system provides the best routing option if available. If a different port of loading or discharge is required, the “Advanced routing” button will give you the option to enter your desired port and you will get a new Quick Quote with this routing.

Yes, you can send the quotation to a different email using the text box at the bottom of the quotation window. You may also download it if needed.