# Quotes and prices

> Price a route before booking, lock the quoted price on the delivery, and handle expired or mismatched quotes.

[`POST /v1/quotes`](https://api.maxmove.com/v1/docs#tag/quotes/POST/v1/quotes) prices a route for one vehicle type and returns a `quote_id` (`qt_…`) that is valid for about 5 minutes. `valid_until` in the response tells you until when.

Prices are integers in cents of `currency`. `amount_cents` is the total price of the delivery.

## Lock the quoted price

Create the delivery with the `quote_id` and the same route to get exactly the quoted price. The route must match the quote in every part:

- addresses and coordinates of pickup, dropoff, and stops
- the stops and their order
- `vehicle_type_id`
- `extras`
- `items`
- `scheduled_at`

For a scheduled delivery, send the same `scheduled_at` on the quote, because the price can depend on the pickup time. A `scheduled_at` in the past or too far ahead answers `400 invalid_request`.

If the route differs in any way, the request fails with `400 quote_mismatch`. If the quote has expired, it fails with `400 quote_expired`. In both cases, request a new quote and create the delivery with the new `quote_id`.

Contacts and instructions are not part of the quote. You add them when you create the delivery.

## Book without a quote

You can also create a delivery without `quote_id`. Maxmove then prices the route at creation and returns the price in `amount_cents` of the delivery.

## Check that the goods fit

Optionally send `items` with per-unit dimensions and weight, on the quote and on the delivery. Maxmove then checks that the vehicle type can carry them:

| Status | Code | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 400 | `vehicle_does_not_fit` | The vehicle type cannot carry the items. Choose a larger vehicle type. |
| 400 | `invalid_items` | The items cannot be evaluated. |

See [Items and vehicle fit](https://maxmove.com/en/developers/docs/guides/items-and-vehicle-fit).

## Routes outside the service area

Maxmove checks the pickup, every stop, and the dropoff against its service areas, on the quote and again on the delivery. A route outside them answers `400 service_area_unavailable`. See [Coverage](https://maxmove.com/en/developers/docs/coverage).

## Quote errors

| Status | Code | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 400 | `quote_mismatch` | The route differs from the quoted route. |
| 400 | `quote_not_found` | Unknown `quote_id` for this key and mode. |
| 400 | `quote_expired` | The quote has expired. Request a new one. |
| 400 | `service_area_unavailable` | The pickup, the dropoff, or a stop is outside the service area. |
| 409 | `conflict` | Another precondition failed. The message explains why. |

Quotes belong to one mode: a quote created with a test key can't be used with a live key.

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Source: https://maxmove.com/en/developers/docs/concepts/quotes