Freight shipping tips

5 strategies to achieve a stress-free shipping experience

Whether you're an experienced logistics professional or a small business owner looking to navigate the complexities of transporting goods, these five freight shipping tips will help streamline your shipping process so your cargo reaches its destination—efficiently and securely.

Freight shipping tip #1: Provide the most accurate freight information

Have all your shipment information ready before you calculate and quote. Accurate weights and measurements allow carriers to present you with affordable options that are suited for each load. The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the weight of trucks on the road and accurate freight weights allow carriers to better manage their truck weights to stay compliant with the law.

Freight shipping tip #2: Choose the right carrier for your freight

Simplify your carrier decisions by matching your freight with the right equipment, service, and timeline. With our online tool, it’s easy and fast to compare quotes from multiple carriers based on your equipment, service, and timeline needs.

Simplify your carrier decisions even further with valuable LTL carrier ratings that educate and empower you to make more informed decisions about the quality service you’re getting.

Freight shipping tip #3: Understand key characteristics of your freight

You can expect to pay higher shipping rates if your items require extra space due to size, shape, or weight. So, in addition to accurate quotes, detailed and exact information about your freight can save you stress, time, and money.

Avoid potential frustration later, by understanding the key freight characteristics that will impact your quote now:

• Freight class: Shippers and carriers commonly use freight class as a common standard when setting shipping rates. Simply start an online quote and your shipment’s freight class will be automatically calculated for you in the process.
• Freight location: Whether urban, suburban, or rural, the location of your freight at the time of pickup is of paramount importance, especially if it requires special equipment to access.
• Freight description: Inaccurate descriptions can lead to unprepared carriers and costly adjustments. Our instant quote tool also includes areas to indicate whether or not the package contains hazardous materials or is temperature sensitive—both are important freight characteristics that impact rates.
• Lift gate: Your shipment will need a lift gate if it is too heavy to manually lift into the back of a truck (over 100 lbs. or more than 72 in. tall) and there is no loading dock at the location. If left unplanned, your shipment may require rescheduling, resulting in costly delays.

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Freight shipping tip #4: Safeguard shipments with proper care and packaging

To help protect your products while in transit, it’s important to crate or palletize your shipments. A standard pallet size is 40” x 48”. Proper packaging can help you save time and money.

Because there are infinite types of freight, there are also infinite ways to package it. Read our blog for more tips on how to package, load, and secure freight for a stress-free shipping experience.

Freight shipping tip #5: Be aware of delivery schedules and locations

Understanding the requirements of shipment locations is important. Be prepared to provide information about both origin and destination location requirements. Since carriers typically expect to pick up and deliver to or from a loading dock, anything else needs to be communicated and planned for up front.

Remember that LTL carriers’ transit times are only estimates. Your shipment delivery can also be monitored with our Freightquote online tracking tool. If your shipment requires a more definitive time window, you may need to select the guaranteed or expedited delivery option.

Other important scheduling information to consider:

• Do shipping points have loading docks?
• Are lift gates required?
• Are there loading docks?
• Are appointments required?
• Will the driver bring the freight inside?
• Is the destination in a commercial or residential area?

Bonus freight shipping tip: Maximize efficiency and minimize costs

Remember, effective freight shipping is more than just moving goods from one point to another—it's about ensuring your cargo arrives safely, on time, and within budget. By implementing the strategies and best practices discussed here, you'll be better equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of logistics and stay ahead in today's competitive marketplace.