There are a lot of nuances in the transportation industry, specifically in the LTL and full truck world. Some of these may be so routine or seem small that we take little notice. However, the smallest nuance can cost hundreds or thousands per year if not carefully looked after. We wanted to provide a list of some of the most common errors in an effort to help our clients identify them and/or find solutions for them.
When sending freight, this is a short list of tips to help prevent additional charges or other monetary costly events:
-Ensure that your freight is well packaged in order to prevent having damages during transit This could include proper blocking and bracing with the use of straps on a pallet or perhaps it is necessary to completely crate a product with 2x4s and plywood
-Put the proper labels on the freight; shipper and consignee information must match the information indicated on the Bill of Lading. Make sure that the labels are legible and complete. This is an essential tool to be used in case the freight has gone missing or to prevent re-consignment charges. Lost freight could mean an angry customer for you and the potential loss of that customer
-Check all the details indicated on the the Bill of Lading to ensure complete accuracy. Remember that the BOL serves as a legal contract between the shipper and the carrier
-When the freight is scheduled for a pickup, the BOL must be ready to be provided to the driver picking up the freight
-The driver will place a sticker containing the PRO number. This is the tracking number of the shipment and you can check the status of the shipment online via the carrier’s website using this number
When receiving freight, ensure to follow these important steps:
-Inspect the entire shipment and check for any obvious signs of damage
-Verify that you received the total number of packages (boxes, crates, pallets, etc.)
-If the shipment is short or damaged, the delivery should still be accepted. However, ensure to write down any noticeable marks, scratches, damages, and/or missing pieces. Then promptly file a claim with your freight provider. DO NOT WAIT!
-If everything is in order, sign the Delivery Receipt (also called ‘Proof of Delivery’) and make sure a copy is provided by the driver
Additional important notes to remember:
-Make sure to use the correct NMFC number and class in order to avoid being re-billed in the immediate future due to incorrect classification. If it is a density based NMFC, make sure you have calculated it using the actual dimensions and weight. Even half an inch can impact the class significantly enough to cost hundreds.
-Verify what accessories are required for your shipment (lift-gate, notify prior to arrival, etc.)
-Provide information about the origin and destination requirements, as carriers typically expect to pick up and deliver to/from loading docks without the need to make an appointment. If your facility does, ensure that the BOL indicates that
-All LTL carrier transit times are best estimates. If the shipment requires a more definitive time window, a guaranteed delivery option must be secured
-If the freight is picking up or delivering to / from a residential area, or even if the pickup or delivery address sounds like a business in a business district, you can still get an additional charge for a residential pickup or delivery.
-Always remember that the carrier calls the consignee to set up a delivery appointment if the freight is marked to be delivered in a limited access area
We are happy to introduce the newest member of our team, Alan. He is a young Software Engineering student that has accumulated over four years of working experience specialized in sales and customer service. His role on our team is sales and customer service support.
We are at it again with 2 more tickets to see the Miami Marlins!
Johnie
4 years agoI am in fact pleased to read this weblog posts which includes tons of helpful information, thanks for providing such information.