GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

Unverified Rate

An unverified rate enters the picture during the quoting process, before all shipment parameters are fully known.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.freightos.com/freight-resources/freight-definitions/unverified-rate

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

152

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

An unverified rate enters the picture during the quoting process, before all shipment parameters are fully known. The forwarder or carrier issues a price indication based on estimated weight, volume, or piece count without having validated those figures. The rate is explicitly provisional: it may change once actual weight or freight classification is confirmed, dangerous goods status is declared, or fuel surcharges are updated. Only after all shipping parameters and charge components have been verified does the rate become binding and serve as the basis for an air waybill, bill of lading, or booking confirmation. The distinction from an unvalidated tariff is subtle but important – an unvalidated tariff refers to a rate schedule not yet approved by a regulatory authority or counterparty, whereas an unverified rate refers specifically to the pending internal calculation and data check. Forwarders rely on unverified rates to provide fast price guidance without assuming immediate contractual liability.

Next steps

Tools that match this term

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Check sea freight costEstimate FCL/LCL costOpen Calculate volumetric weightDetermine the chargeable weightOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

tax rate (VAT rate)

Getting the tax rate right is the foundation of compliant invoicing: it defines the percentage of a transaction's value charged as…

Learn more

Charter Rate

When oil prices climb or vessel capacity tightens, the effect shows up directly in the charter rate – the price a charterer pays t…

Learn more

MFN Tariff

The MFN tariff (Most Favoured Nation rate) is the standard customs duty that WTO members apply to imports from other WTO members i…

Learn more

Shipping Readiness Rate

On-time delivery performance starts well before the carrier arrives – the shipping readiness rate captures exactly this upstream q…

Learn more

Storage Absorption Rate

The storage absorption rate is a logistics real estate metric that measures what proportion of available warehouse space was newly…

Learn more

Freight Rate Configurator System

Unlike static tariff tables that assign a fixed price per lane or weight break, a freight rate configurator system calculates char…

Learn more

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.

Unverified Rate

Next steps

Related Terms

tax rate (VAT rate)

Charter Rate

MFN Tariff

Shipping Readiness Rate

Storage Absorption Rate

Freight Rate Configurator System

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers