7 Tips For Prepping and Scheduling a Freight Shipment

Packaging and securing products for transport is what we do here at U.S. Packaging & Wrapping, whether it is 500-pound machines or a multitude of paper or plastic products. We ship all over the nation, so that means we schedule freight deliveries on a daily basis.

We strictly use semi trucks with enclosed cargo trailers, known as dry vans, for moving our products, but freight can be shipped by flatbed, aircraft, ship, truck, or train.

Here at U.S. Packaging & Wrapping, most shipments utilize LTL—less than a truck load. In this method, the shipper pays for the portion of a standard truck trailer that their freight takes up, while shipments from other companies fill the unoccupied space. The shipment goes to different hubs to be loaded and directed to their final location.  

When moving freight, several points must be taken into account to ensure a successful delivery.

• PREPARE YOUR FREIGHT FOR SHIPPING:

Ensure the product is boxed or crated to protect it during the trip. Wrap your pallets in stretch film for extra security and to keep multiple boxes together. Heavier objects may require a strapping and tensioning tool. These strong bands will hold the shipment in one place during transport. They are often used with stretch film to fully secure shipment. Once the shipment is correctly held in place, test the security by shifting and moving the load on the pallet. It should not move or wobble once pressed and pushed against.

• CHOOSE A REPUTABLE FREIGHT CARRIER:

When choosing a freight carrier (a truck line), the cheapest is not always the best. Price is important, and you should look for a competitive rate, but there are other things to consider. How long will it take for the shipment to arrive? (There’s a big difference between three days and five days.) Do you have a history with the carrier? Can you rely on the provided estimated delivery date?

• ENSURE YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT INSURANCE:

The freight carrier provides liability insurance— sometimes at an extra cost—that covers en route damage if it occurs. When booking your shipment, verify that the maximum liability amount fully covers the cost of your product. If you fail to do this, you could be left holding the bag for any costs incurred over the maximum liability. Some insurance only pays a specific amount per pound of freight. Third-party insurance is available in some instances. This allows shippers to ensure the total amount of the shipment is covered. With any freight insurance, it is essential to determine what will be covered before shipping. For instance, some insurance companies offer different payouts for new and used equipment.

• PROVIDE ACCURATE WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS:

If you don’t provide an accurate weight and dimensions of your shipment, the carrier will adjust it and charge you extra. Double-checking those numbers is essential. Printable weight labels on a certified scale can help dispute any additional charges a carrier may have. Missed measurements can also change a shipment's freight class, causing extra costs.

• VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY

Verify every aspect of the shipment, especially the ship-to address. Once you complete the bill of lading in the logistics program of your choice, compare the shipping addresses to the purchase order, verbal confirmation, or invoice. Ensure the weight and dimensions are entered correctly and that any special delivery instructions from the customer are listed on the form. Mistakes can be costly and can harm your reputation with your customers.  

• PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

Many details must be included when making a shipment. How many pieces are included? Is it going to a commercial or residential address? Is a delivery appointment required? Is there an accessible space to deliver the shipment at the destination? Is there a loading dock? Is there a forklift at the destination? The details can make or break a successful shipment. Be sure to list 'do not double stack' if the shipment will become damaged 

• TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR SHIPMENT

Taking multiple photographs of your shipment before it is picked up from the carrier is always a good idea. This is especially helpful if damage occurs en route to its destination. The photographs prove the shipment left the shipping facility in good shape and sufficiently packaged.

Here at U.S. Packaging and Wrapping, we take pride in providing accurate and safe shipping on customer orders. We pay attention to every detail and double-check every aspect. When it’s all said and done, packaging and shipping are just as important as the quality of the products you sell.

For your packaging needs, visit our website at uspackagingandwrapping.com or contact us by phone at 1-800-441-5090 or by email at customerservice@uspackagingandwrapping.com