Every person and company that ships wants their shipment picked up and delivered on time, in good shape, and successfully. A successful shipment always begins with the shippers’ preparation for a smooth pickup. It is imperative to correctly prepare the freight to help avoid any delays, damages, additional fees, and any other issues that could arise. To help you get the most success out of your LTL shipments follow the tips below. We believe that focusing on these elements will help you package and prepare your freight for an overall great LTL pickup and delivery.
Palletize or Crate Your Freight If You Can
Crates have four walls and a floor and are the best option for smaller items that need to be secured. Pallets are flat platforms that make it easy to stack your freight and perfect for storing temporarily. You are also able to put crates on pallets to give you a stackable option, just be sure to stack the heaviest on the bottom. Palletizing or crating not only reduces freight claims and helps prevent damage, but it also helps your carrier when loading.
If your shipment is not able to be crated or palletized the best alternative would be to wrap and use foam fill to create more stability and security.
Stack Your Freight
When putting your freight together it is important to stack any and all that you are able to. When you stack make sure to distribute the weight evenly and put the heaviest items on the bottom. Stacking your goods will ensure a safer, easier, and more efficient shipping process. However, do not stack if your goods are fragile and shouldn’t be stacked.
Calculate Dimensions and Weight Correctly and Check Them Twice
Measure and record the precise length, width, height, and weight of your shipment, and always double-check. The more accurate the measurements are the less chance you will be hit by additional fees. Many shippers do round up to the next inch just to give themselves and the carriers some room to work with when it comes to loading. The dimensions are important for carriers to know how much space is needed and how much space they have left on the trailer. Correct measurements are good at preventing fees for yourself and they also give you a better relationship with carriers.
The measurements and weight you provide to your 3PL will also be used to determine the correct freight class of your shipment. Need help? Use our Density Calculator to help you plan your shipment!
Label Your Shipments Correctly and Carefully
Label your shipment especially if it is fragile with labels such as “DO NOT STACK”, “FRAGILE”, “THIS SIDE UP”, and “HANDLE WITH CARE”. It is also good to have the freight class labeled on top in addition to the BOL. Make your labels clear and easy to spot to prevent misunderstandings and potential damage.
Have the Correct BOL Ready For The Carrier
When the carrier comes to pick up the freight have the BOL (bill of lading) with all the correct information ready to give to them. The BOL is basically a receipt for your shipment and is necessary for later in the process for the drivers and carriers. It is a best practice to keep a copy for yourself as well. When using a 3PL, they will typically provide you with the BOL.
Make sure all this information is on the BOL:
- Shipper’s information
- Receiver’s information
- Billing information (aka 3rd Party Pre-Paid)
- Date of Shipment
- Number of units being shipped
- Type of packaging being used
- Description of the goods being shipped
- Freight Class & NMFC a MUST!!!
- Dimensions
- Value
- More might be needed depending on the shipment
Documentation Prepared, If Cross-Border Shipping
Depending on where you are shipping to, you must ensure you have the correct documentation if crossing into different countries. Every border may have its own requirements and documents and it is best to be prepared and have those completed. Your 3PL will help you guide you through which documents will be needed in order for you to have a successful LTL shipment.
Double Check Your Scheduled Pickup and Delivery
Details for scheduling are imperative and the addresses have to be in the correct places. The origin will be the pickup spot and the consignee will be the delivery address. Make sure the times you choose the line up with your schedule and the recipient’s schedule as well. A 3PL can handle all the scheduling so you do not have to worry about it. When it is time to pick up you should be ready to load to keep the driver on schedule.
Track Your Shipment
Keep tabs on your shipment to make sure it is where it should be at the right time. There are tracking sources for you to use depending on the carrier. 3PLs have user-friendly systems that have the ability to track specific shipments in only a few clicks. In the event of delays, your provider will reach out to all parties to find the problem and solve it.
Communication
Always communicate with every party involved. This includes the carrier, driver, and recipient. If you use a 3PL they will communicate with the carrier and the recipient for you and then communicate with you. It is important to make sure everything is going as it was planned from the beginning. Communication will make it easier to solve problems and make the shipment successful if something goes wrong.
Following these tips and preparing your LTL freight correctly can further protect your goods from damages and excessive fees. Missing pieces of information or miscalculations can cause delays or other issues later on nullifying the efficient and cost-effective reputation of LTL shipping. Take your time and do everything right from the beginning for a smooth process for you, the carrier, and the driver.
ATS Logistics is a well-established 3rd Party Logistics Company ready to take your LTL shipping to the next level. We have multiple experts at hand to manage the process from point A to point B and update you every step of the way. Contact us today!