Reliable OOG pricing cannot be built from a cargo name and one weight figure. When a package extends beyond the profile of a flat rack or open-top container in length, width, height or a combination of directions, the carrier and logistics provider must review equipment, lost slots, load distribution, lifting, securing, inland route and terminal restrictions. Even a small gap between the bare-machine dimensions and the final packed envelope can change the equipment solution, OOG surcharge, vessel stowage or the entire quote. This guide sets out the minimum RFQ data, the technical information required before operational approval, and the scope controls needed for oversized cargo quotations.

Operational reference | Updated: 21 July 2026 | Scope: ocean OOG and related transport legs

QUICK FACTS

OOG exceeds the transport gauge

The cargo does not remain within the gauge of the intended equipment/stowage solution; final classification depends on equipment, carrier, vessel/voyage and terminal.

Core data must use packed dimensions

At minimum provide commodity, package count, packed L × W × H, gross weight per piece, route, packaging and service scope.

Technical data may become mandatory

COG, lifting/lashing points, bearing area, drawings and loading concept are required depending on the carrier, weight, shape and transport scope.

A quote is not stowage approval

A preliminary rate may change if final dimensions, vessel acceptance, terminal feasibility or inland arrangements differ from the RFQ.

Illustration for What Is OOG Cargo? Mandatory Data Before Requesting a Quote — Illustration of the logistics topic, document or operation discussed in the article.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

This article applies mainly to machinery, industrial equipment, steel structures, special vehicles, tanks and other over-dimensional packages moving on flat racks, open tops, platforms or breakbulk solutions. It focuses on ocean-freight RFQ inputs and connected origin/destination legs. It does not replace a site survey, engineered securing plan, survey certificate or carrier approval.

Important: There is no single universal dimensional threshold that classifies every shipment as OOG. Classification depends on the selected equipment profile and payload, carrier rules, vessel/voyage, terminal and inland route.

KEY TERMS

Term	Meaning	Role in pricing
OOG – Out of Gauge	Cargo exceeding the permitted equipment profile in length, width, height or a combination.	Triggers slot, equipment, stowage and special-surcharge review.
In-gauge	Cargo on special equipment but within its dimensional and payload limits.	May use a flat rack/open top without OOG treatment.
Breakbulk	Cargo not handled as one normal container unit; it may be carried on a flat-rack bed or under a bespoke vessel solution.	Requires project pricing and approval beyond containerised OOG.
Over-width / Over-height / Over-length	The excess beyond the equipment profile in each direction.	Drives lost slots, stow position and route restrictions.
COG – Centre of Gravity	The location of the cargo’s mass concentration.	Used for stability, lifting, load distribution and securing.
Bearing area / Point load	Contact area and concentrated load transferred to the equipment floor.	Supports floor-load, dunnage and weight-distribution checks.

HOW OOG PRICING WORKS

OOG rates are not based only on weight or volume. The carrier must determine suitable equipment, vessel and terminal acceptance, lost slots, safe stowage, special lifting and transshipment constraints. Door service adds road clearance, bridge and axle limits, turning radius, permits, escort, specialist trailers and cranes.

Variable group	Decision data	Pricing/approval impact
Cargo envelope	Final packed L/W/H, excess by side and loading orientation.	Equipment, lost slots, stowage and terminal handling.
Weight and load distribution	Gross weight per piece, COG, bearing area and point load.	Payload, floor loading, lifting plan and dunnage.
Loading solution	Flat rack/open top/platform, end wall position, top/side loading.	Equipment supply, crane, securing and vessel loading.
Route and timing	POL/POD, transshipment, pickup/delivery and cargo ready date.	Vessel acceptance, port restrictions and capacity.
Service scope	Port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door and Incoterms.	Permits, crane, escort, storage and local charges.
Cargo characteristics	DG status, used cargo, high value, tilt/vibration sensitivity.	Compliance, insurance, handling and survey requirements.

CORE AND CONDITIONAL DATA FOR AN OOG RFQ

There is no single universally mandatory list used by every carrier and every OOG solution. A workable RFQ nevertheless needs a core data set; technical fields become conditionally mandatory for heavy or complex cargo, door service, or when required by the carrier/terminal. Any non-final field should be marked estimated, with an owner and a final-data deadline.

Data group	Requirement level	Information to provide	How to state it	Risk if missing/wrong
1. Commodity and technical description	Core	Specific name, model, function, main material, new/used status and DG status.	Avoid generic labels such as “machinery”.	Equipment, handling, policy and insurance cannot be assessed.
2. Quantity and packing unit	Core	Number of pieces, whether units can be dismantled, and skid/cradle/packing type.	Use a piece-by-piece cargo list when dimensions or weights differ.	Wrong equipment count, crane moves or inland vehicles.
3. Packed dimensions per piece	Core	Length × width × height after packing, including base and protrusions.	State units, orientation and overhang on each side.	Equipment change, lost slots, terminal rejection or re-quote.
4. Weight per piece	Core	Gross weight including packing; net weight where relevant; kg/MT.	State the verification source; do not average total weight.	Payload, crane and axle-load errors or misdeclaration.
5. Route and delivery points	Core	Origin/destination, POL/POD, pickup/delivery address and intended routing.	Lock inland points for door service.	Port, vessel, transshipment and road limits cannot be checked.
6. Packaging and quotation scope	Core	Skid/cradle/box, Incoterms, port-to-port or door-to-door, and responsibility for crane/lashing/permits.	List inclusions, exclusions and responsible party.	Quotes are compared on different scopes and costs emerge later.
7. Cargo Ready Date	Core	Date when packing is complete and cargo is ready for measuring, weighing and pickup.	Separate estimated from confirmed ready date.	Rate expiry, no equipment/space or late permits.
8. Photos, drawings and lifting/lashing locations	Carrier/cargo dependent	Multi-angle photos, drawings, lifting/lashing points and supporting information. Some carriers request these at inquiry stage.	Use the actual packing version and flag unconfirmed fields.	Protrusions, base, lifting points and unusual shape remain unknown.
9. COG, bearing area and handling concept	Weight/shape dependent	COG, contact area, point loads and preliminary top/side-loading, roll-on or crane concept.	Prefer engineering drawings or manufacturer/engineer confirmation.	Stability, floor loading, dunnage and lifting cannot be assessed.
10. Special requirements and inland data	Scope dependent	No-tilt, vibration, weather protection, DG, route survey, permits, escort and cranes at both ends.	Mark “not applicable” only after reviewing cargo and route.	The solution may be infeasible or omit material costs.

TECHNICAL DATA BEFORE OPERATIONAL APPROVAL

A commercial rate may be issued on preliminary information. Booking/acceptance should only be treated as sufficiently supported after the carrier and operating parties have received the technical data they require. Not every field below is mandatory for every piece; the requirement depends on carrier, equipment, weight, shape, terminal and inland scope.

Data/document	Purpose	Recommended status
Final packed dimensions and gross weight	Fix over-dimensions, payload and stowage.	Final before gate-in; update any variance immediately.
Three-axis COG and weight distribution	Lifting, stability and load-distribution design.	Shown on a drawing or packing sketch.
Lifting-point positions and SWL	Select slings, spreader, crane and lifting angles.	Engineer/manufacturer confirmation for complex cargo.
Lashing-point positions and capacity	Calculate securing arrangement and materials.	Do not assume lifting lugs are suitable lashing points.
Bearing area, contact length and point loads	Check flat-rack/platform floor and dunnage.	Critical for narrow feet and concentrated loads.
Loading/lashing plan	Confirm orientation, end wall, blocking and securing.	May require carrier approval or a survey certificate.
Photos after packing and securing	Compare declaration with actual cargo.	Use measurement references where needed.
Road survey/permit data	Validate oversized inland movement.	Required for door scope and constrained routes.

Measurement rule: the declared OOG envelope must include packing, supports, dunnage, tarpaulin and protruding securing equipment. A carrier may require re-declaration or re-pricing when the actual occupied profile differs.

SUPPORTING RECORDS

Record	Prepared by	Use	Consistency check
OOG RFQ sheet / cargo list	Shipper/Buyer/Forwarder	Rate and equipment request.	Pieces, dimensions, weight, route and ready date.
General arrangement drawing	Manufacturer/Packer	Feasibility, COG, lifting and lashing.	Revision and dimensions must match the cargo.
Cargo and packing photos	Shipper/Packer	Shape, protrusion, base and handling review.	Multi-angle, dated and scale-referenced where possible.
Packing/skid/cradle drawing	Packer/Engineer	Bearing-area and securing review.	Materials, base size, contact points and capacity.
Lifting and lashing instructions	Manufacturer/Engineer/Surveyor	Handling design and approval.	SWL, angles, number of points and materials.
SDS/DGD and special technical records	Shipper/Manufacturer	DG and carrier compliance.	UN number, class, packing group, fuel/battery status.
Route survey/permit concept	Haulier/Project forwarder	Inland price and execution plan.	Clearance, axle load, bridges, turns and escort.

FROM RFQ TO APPROVED RATE

Standardise the cargo list

Separate each piece, fix units and distinguish bare-machine from final packed dimensions.

Define scope and route

Fix pickup/delivery, POL/POD, Incoterms and responsibility for crane, securing and permits.

Select a preliminary equipment concept

Assess flat rack, open top, platform or breakbulk without assuming from the commodity name.

Submit RFQ with photos/drawings

The carrier reviews dimensions, weight, route, commodity and handling needs.

Review conditional pricing

Check validity, equipment availability, vessel/terminal acceptance, lost slots and exclusions.

Finalise technical data

Update final dimensions, COG, loading/lashing plan, permits and packed photos.

Booking and operational approval

Execute only after rate, equipment, voyage, terminal and handling acceptance are confirmed.

COST SCOPE TO LOCK IN THE QUOTE

Cost group	Confirm included/excluded	Common trigger
Ocean freight and OOG surcharge	Base freight, lost slots, special stowage and transshipment.	Routing/voyage or dimensions change.
Special equipment	Flat rack/open top/platform, repositioning and imbalance.	No unit at local depot.
Terminal handling	Lift-on/lift-off, crane, direct handling and storage.	Terminal restrictions and heavy-lift tariff.
Loading, securing and survey	Dunnage, blocking, lashing, labour and certificate.	Plan/material/survey changes.
Inland transport	Special trailer, permits, escort, survey and crane.	Road restrictions and waiting time.
Destination charges	D/O, terminal, special handling, crane and delivery.	Different scopes between quotations.
Validity and conditions	Validity, currency and space/equipment/approval clauses.	Rate expires before cargo ready date.

COMMON RISKS AND ERRORS

Using bare-machine dimensions: skid, cradle, cover and securing protrusions are omitted.
Providing only total weight: piece weight and concentrated load remain unknown.
No COG: lifting, dunnage and securing cannot be engineered reliably.
Outdated photos: the quote uses a concept image while actual packing differs.
Unclear scope: crane, securing, survey, permits or destination charges are excluded.
Confusing OOG, breakbulk and heavy lift: different solutions are compared as if identical.
No final declaration update: a post-booking variance can cause re-quote, checks or rejection.
No inland feasibility review: ocean acceptance does not guarantee road access.

REFERENCE SOURCES

These are operational and safety references for building an RFQ; they do not create one statutory form for all carriers. Final requirements follow the carrier’s booking conditions, equipment specifications and terminal instructions at the time of shipment.

Source	Verified point	Application limit
Hapag-Lloyd – Special Cargo	The carrier requests dimensions, total weight including packaging, number/location of lifting and lashing points, commodity and packaging; photos/drawings are supplied where available.	Shows that a carrier may require technical fields at inquiry stage; it does not mean every carrier uses the same form.
Hapag-Lloyd – How to determine Special Cargo	Special cargo does not fit a GP container due to weight or overlength/overheight/overwidth; equipment selection depends on size, weight, shape, load distribution and terminal capability.	Useful for distinguishing OOG, pre-lashed and breakbulk; not a substitute for shipment-specific approval.
IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code 2014	Global practice framework for packing and securing cargo transport units throughout the sea–land chain.	IMO describes it as a non-mandatory code of practice; it is technical guidance, not a carrier tariff or acceptance.
IMO CSS Code	International principles for planning, executing and supervising safe stowage and securing on board.	Supports securing assessment; actual decisions also depend on the Cargo Securing Manual, vessel/voyage and carrier approval.

Hapag-Lloyd Special Cargo Hapag-Lloyd OOG Guide IMO CTU Code IMO CSS Code

FAQ

1. Is a small excess in one direction still OOG?

It can be. Exceeding the selected equipment profile in one direction may require OOG declaration; final classification belongs to the carrier/equipment review.

2. Can a quote be requested before final dimensions?

Yes, as an indicative request with dimensions clearly marked estimated. Pricing and acceptance must be revalidated against the final packed envelope.

3. Are L × W × H and weight enough?

They may be enough for initial screening if the carrier accepts them. A supportable quotation normally also needs commodity, packaging, route and scope; for heavy or complex cargo the carrier may require photos/drawings, lifting/lashing points, COG and load distribution.

4. Is OOG the same as heavy lift?

No. OOG concerns dimensions; heavy lift concerns weight and lifting complexity. A package may be both, or only one.

5. Who confirms dimensions and weight?

The shipper/cargo owner provides accurate data; the packer or surveyor may measure, weigh and certify. A forwarder should not guess from a brochure.

6. Why are lifting and lashing points separate?

Lifting points support crane operations, while lashing points restrain cargo in transit. One is not automatically suitable for the other.

7. Does the ocean quote include securing?

Never assume so. Check materials, labour, engineering, survey/certificate, crane, terminal and destination scope separately.

APPLICATION NOTE: This data set is an operational input standard, not a substitute for carrier, terminal, permit-authority or road-haulier requirements. Before booking, verify final packed dimensions, final weight, actual equipment, vessel/terminal acceptance and all quotation exclusions.

TGIMEX IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

TGIMEX helps businesses turn the article into a shipment-ready checklist, covering input-data review, dossier preparation, milestone control, and coordination with the relevant parties.

Convert guidance into checks

Assign an owner and deadline to every operational control point.

Reconcile shipment data

Compare booking, transport, commercial, customs, and delivery evidence.

Manage operational risk

Record discrepancies, actions, and decision evidence to prevent recurrence.

Discuss your shipment dossier

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