Comparing Quotes
Choosing a Transport Company:
We of course want you to use Gulf Express International to transport your vehicles and cargo overseas. However, we realize we have to compete for your business, and therefore, we'd like to give you a few tips to help you decide which company to pick.
Your quote should include the ocean freight, the pick up of the freight from your shop or residence for delivery to the export terminal if less than container load, or the drayage of the container to your shop or residence, as well as an estimate of the loading charges, unless you are loading the container yourself.
If you are delivering your cargo to the designated export terminal, the quote should include the ocean freight from the export terminal to the import terminal at country of destination, as well as handling, documentation and US Customs clearance, if exporting a vehicle.
Your quote should be transparent and stipulate all of the charges that are included in the quote, otherwise you are open for extra charges beyond those quoted to you, at the time that you deliver your cargo for export. In addition, the quote should state the cost for marine cargo insurance, in the event that you want to insure your cargo. You should also keep in mind that the destination charges are usually not included in the shipping quotes.
However, when you are comparing costs between companies, you should know what the destinations costs will be due agent at port of destination. These include agent handling charges, unloading charges, import customs clearance fees (import taxes and duties, as well as any customs ordered inspections are always for the account of the cargo).
The important thing to keep in mind is to know what all the charges involved in the shipment are, so that the shipper may have a base of comparison between the quotes presented by different companies. In most cases, however, we should be able to match any legitimate quote that you provide to us, although the difference is usually very minimal, if any, and like to quote our customers very competitively, and fairly, indeed.