Not every shipment fits standard rates. As a freight carrier or 3LP, you may plan complex routes for carrying a special cargo or have specific commercial terms about customs or pricing.
Here, you’re looking for a flexible quoting system to create fully customized tariffs to combine routes, transport modes, services, and fees into a single structured offer. Also, all of this should be convenient as an automatic engine at your fingertips.
So, there is your solution — the Individual Quotes by SeaRates that is designed as a smart system for automated and custom shipping quotes for your customers. Let's dive deeply into the Individual Quotes and find out how to create a custom tariff step by step.
What is the Individual Quotes System?
Often, freight businesses face different non-standard requirements from shippers that make them establish client-specific pricing — new quotes each time.
To automate this, freight forwarders and carriers can create custom and route-based freight quotations for specific clients or shipments.
It’s impossible to always use standard tariffs. Individual Quotes lets you:
- Create customized quotations based on specific shipment routes and points
- Assign freight rates and service fees at each stage
- Apply different pricing models (per kg, per lot, lump sum)
- Define commercial terms and validity
- Automatically calculate the total shipment cost
- Share a tailored quote with your customers
Unlike the standard tariffs, you can optimize non-standard, negotiated, or confidential freight pricing.
Who should use Individual Quotes?
Individual Quotes is suitable for:
- Freight forwarders handling custom client requests
- Logistics companies offering negotiated rates
- Carriers and operators with project cargo and special shipments
- Multimodal and multi-point transportation managers
- Sales teams preparing tailored offers
How to create an Individual Quote on SeaRates.com?
- Sign up here to use IQ in your Virtual Office;
- Become an authorized Vendor to access IQ as a part of your package;
or
- Let us know about your intention for your own Individual Quotes system and get a customized solution to meet your business needs.
Step 1: Open Individual Quotes
Log in to the SeaRates account and go to your Virtual Office Profile. There is the Individual Quote tab on the left-hand menu.
Click Create a tariff or New tariff in case you've added your quotes before.
Step 2: Add the Start point
The start point defines where the shipment begins.
Required fields:
- Location – port or city of origin
- Shipping type – ocean, road, rail, or air (depending on your choice, the fields will adjust)
- Cargo parameters – container type or weight
- Transit time – estimated duration
Optional fields:
- Shipping line
- Special cargo requirements
Steps 3-4: Add freight rates & delivery fees
After saving the point, add freight costs.
For example, if you choose ocean freight, specify the rate per container and the Bill of Lading fee per shipment.
You can already Save to confirm the Start point or add extra delivery fees.
Want to include additional charges? Click on ‘Fees for this point’ or ‘Fees for this delivery’:
Available pricing models:
- Per kg (e.g., for LCL)
- Per lot (e.g., for fixed services)
- Lump sum (e.g., for project cargo or negotiated pricing)
This flexibility allows accurate pricing for any shipment type.
You can create your own fees, even for accurate cost allocation.
Step 5: Add the End point
The end point defines the destination.
- Select the destination location;
- Add destination-related fees for terminal handling, documentation, delivery services, etc. Choose among Per kg, Per lot, and Lump sum;
- Save the destination point.
Step 6: Add extra route points (optionally)
- Click the “+” icon on the route timeline
- Add intermediate points or services
- Assign fees and parameters to each point
This is useful for transshipment or multimodal routes.
Step 7: Add tariff details and terms
Open Additional Info to finalize the quote.
Tariff details include:
- Validity period
- Tariff name
- Commercial terms and conditions
You can also add extras such as guarantees, demurrage rates, storage fees, and others, as well as create new terms.
Finally, it’s a step to Review your quote
- Review the automatically calculated Shipment Total
- Confirm all route points and fees
- Click Save
Your individual freight quote is now ready. You can edit it, review the quote card, and share it with your customers and partners to provide the most accurate and complete freight quote for shipping businesses in 2026.
🏆 From now on, your quotations will include all key details: custom pricing, route visibility, clear transit time, rate breakdown, fee transparency, and an easy way to book your tariff in two clicks!
White-label integration
The white-labeled IQ system is smart pricing management that transforms your website into a logistics hub. Integration of this quote optimization tool enables your customers to search and book your freight rates directly on your platform.
You can increase sales by providing live tariffs for sea, air, and land (road and rail) shipments of any specific requirements under your brand.
API connection
Connect the Individual Quotes API to allow advanced commercial management via your CRM, ERP, or TMS system. Simply add, update, and share quotes without any extra work.
Show your price quotes on SeaRates.com or your website. With the customized API setup, you can promote rates to a wider audience and accept bookings globally.
Fill out the request form to tell us your business needs, or drop them at [email protected] to get a digital solution for freight management that is specifically designed for your needs.
