Request for Motor Carrier Rate Proposal

Shippers and freight forwarders use this transaction set to request pricing proposals from motor carriers for transportation services. A shipper sends the 107 to one or more carriers to solicit rates for moving freight between specified origins and destinations. The transaction set is typically initiated independently when a shipper needs rate quotes, though it may follow preliminary discussions or carrier solicitations. Key segments include the BGN (Beginning Segment), which provides the request reference and submission date; the N1 (Name) segment loops, which identify the parties involved such as the shipper, consignee, and bill-to entities; and the CA1 (Rate Request Identifier) segment, which anchors individual rate requests within each lane and specifies the detailed characteristics of the transportation needed.

For a concrete example, Midwest Logistics Corp. could send an MC107 to three carriers—ABC Trucking, Regional Transport, and Premier Freight—requesting rates to move 25 pallets of automotive parts from a warehouse in Detroit, Michigan to a distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia. The request specifies handling requirements through AT5 segments, equipment specifications via MS2 and AT9 segments, and may include lane estimates through IV1 to indicate frequency. Each carrier receives identical shipment details but can respond with their own pricing based on their capacity and route optimization, allowing Midwest Logistics to compare proposals and select the best rate for their needs.