Freight Quote

Freight Quote Skill — Generic Version

Built by La Crown Inc. | lacrown.ai

This skill generates a professional freight quote PDF for any freight broker. It uses live EIA diesel data, mileage calculation, and accessorial detection. All branding is pulled from config/broker_config.json — update that file once and every quote reflects your company automatically.

Before You Start

1. Read config/broker_config.json — load broker name, contact info, MC#, and colors
2. Confirm scripts/generate_quote.py, scripts/eia_diesel.py, and scripts/mileage.py exist
3. Confirm reportlab and requests are installed (pip install reportlab requests)

Step 1 — Extract Load Details

Pull the following from the conversation, email, or pasted text. Ask only for fields that are genuinely missing and required:

Step 2 — Run Mileage Calculation

python scripts/mileage.py "<origin>" "<destination>"

This returns estimated miles using PC Miler-style straight-line calculation with a road factor. For known lanes from your history, override with actual miles.

Example:

python scripts/mileage.py "Fort Wayne, IN" "Houston, TX"
# Output: ~1,050 miles

Step 3 — Fetch Live EIA Diesel & Calculate Fuel Surcharge

python scripts/eia_diesel.py "<origin_state_abbr>"

This fetches the current week's EIA on-highway diesel price for the correct PADD region based on origin state. Returns the diesel price and recommended fuel surcharge percentage from the standard FSC table.

Example:

python scripts/eia_diesel.py "IN"
# Output: {"padd": "PADD2 - Midwest", "diesel": 5.16, "fsc_pct": 34, "fsc_note": "Based on EIA week of 03/23/2026"}

Fuel Surcharge Table (Standard)

Note: The FSC is calculated on the base linehaul rate, not the total. For flat-rate quoting (all-inclusive), embed the FSC into the total and note "Fuel Surcharge Included" in the line items.

Step 4 — Identify Accessorials

Scan the load details for any of the following. Flag each one that applies and include it in the line items with the appropriate charge:

Rule: If an accessorial is "anticipated but not confirmed," list it as "Not included — will be billed if incurred" in the terms. Do not pad the quote with unconfirmed charges.

Step 5 — Build Rate Recommendation

Using miles, fuel surcharge, and accessorials:

Base Linehaul     = Miles × (your $/mile floor from config or history)
Fuel Surcharge    = Base Linehaul × FSC%
Accessorials      = Sum of applicable charges
─────────────────────────────────────────
Total All-In Rate = Base + FSC + Accessorials

If you have lane history for this origin/destination or customer, reference it to sanity-check the number before committing. Adjust for market conditions, customer relationship, and any known carrier availability on the lane.

Round to the nearest $5 or $25 for cleaner quote presentation.

Step 6 — Build the JSON Payload

{
  "quote_num": "auto",
  "valid_days": 14,
  "quoted_to": {
    "company": "Customer Company Name",
    "contact": "Contact First Name",
    "seller_name": "Requester Name (if different from customer)",
    "seller_company": "Requester Company",
    "seller_email": "requester@email.com",
    "seller_phone": "555-000-0000"
  },
  "shipment": {
    "origin": "City, ST ZIP",
    "destination": "City, ST ZIP",
    "est_miles": "~X miles",
    "service_type": "e.g. Flatbed FTL",
    "commodity": "Description",
    "equipment": "e.g. Flatbed Trailer",
    "weight": "XX,000 lbs",
    "dimensions": "XX' L × X' W × X' H",
    "permit_class": "Standard",
    "est_transit": "X–X Business Days"
  },
  "line_items": [
    {"description": "Freight Transportation", "notes": "Origin to Destination | ~X miles", "amount": "Included"},
    {"description": "Fuel Surcharge",         "notes": "Live EIA diesel $X.XX/gal (PADD X) — XX% FSC", "amount": "Included"},
    {"description": "Accessorial: [Name]",    "notes": "Description",                                    "amount": "$XXX"},
    {"description": "Accessorial Charges",    "notes": "None anticipated (see terms)",                    "amount": "—"}
  ],
  "total_label": "TOTAL FLAT RATE",
  "total_note": "All-inclusive | No hidden fees",
  "total_amount": "$X,XXX.00",
  "extra_terms": []
}

Step 7 — Generate the PDF

python scripts/generate_quote.py examples/sample_payload.json

Or pass JSON inline:

python scripts/generate_quote.py '<paste json here>'

The script outputs the full path to the generated PDF file.

Step 8 — Present the File

After the script runs, share the PDF with the user. Provide a brief summary:

• Customer, origin → destination
• Total rate
• Fuel surcharge basis (EIA date + diesel price)
• Any accessorials flagged
• Quote validity date

Rate History (Optional but Powerful)

Add a config/lane_history.json file to track past quotes and outcomes:

[
  {
    "customer": "Acme Corp",
    "origin": "Chicago, IL",
    "destination": "Dallas, TX",
    "equipment": "Flatbed",
    "miles": 921,
    "quoted": 2850,
    "accepted": true,
    "carrier_cost": 2400,
    "margin": 450,
    "accessorials_billed": 0,
    "notes": "Smooth load, no issues"
  }
]

When a new RFQ comes in for a similar lane, Claude will reference this history to anchor the rate recommendation in real outcomes — not market averages.

Rules for Every Quote

• Always use this week's EIA diesel — never last week's, never an estimate
• Always calculate actual miles — never round-number guesses
• Always identify accessorials from the load description — never assume none
• Always include the cargo insurance clause in terms (built into generator)
• Never promise a rate without flagging potential accessorials in the terms
• Fuel surcharge note in line items must always cite the EIA date and diesel price
• Quote validity is 14 days by default — adjust in config if needed

Config Reference

See config/broker_config.json for:

• Company name, MC#, address, phone, email
• Brand colors (hex)
• Default valid_days
• Default FSC table override (if you use a different scale)
• Default linehaul floor ($/mile)

Support & Community

• Watch the full build: youtube.com/@lacrown_ai
• Join the community: skool.com/la-crown-ai-8246
• More skills: lacrown.ai