On the surface freight shipping might seem to be quite complex, especially to people who are shipping for the first time. Although all of us wish that shipping freight was as easy as sending a message inside a bottle, realistically speaking there are numerous processes and regulations that have been instituted to ensure that valuable freight gets delivered safely to its final destination. We have compiled a list of the 10 most commonly asked freight shipping questions in order to help clear things up and simplify the process from the beginning through to the end.
Q: What is a 3PL?
A: 3PL stands for third-party logistics. Freightquote and other 3PL companies try to take on all aspects involved in the freight shipping process. In starts the moment that a quote is requested by a shipper for their shipment, and ends with the delivery. Throughout this entire process these companies provide expert help and all of the services that are necessary.
Q: What can I ship and what freight shipping options do I have?
A: No matter how much freight needs to be shipped or what its final destination is, typically 3PL companies provide services to handle just about anything. Some of the more common freight shipping options that are available include intermodal, expedited LTL (less than truck load), less than truck load (LTL) and truckload (TL). If you have any questions about which shipping option will fit your needs the best, check out this post.
Q: How do shipping rates get determined?
A: Typically freight rates are dependent on many different factors, including distance, weight, mode of transport and kind of freight that is being shipped. The following is a quick snapshot of how rates are determined based on which shipping option is selected:
LTL: Rates are mainly dependent on which freight class is being shipped. Typically other fees are applied for additional actions and services such as liftgate services and delivery appointments.
Truckload: This is commonly determined on a per-mile amount basis which might or might not include the fuel surcharge. Additional charges might be added for extra services such as driver assistance and detention.
Flatbed: Rates are based on the shipment’s total weight, mileage, and kind of equipment used. If the freight onboard is oversized, additional transit might be necessary and extra charges might be applied.
Q: What is freight classification?
A: The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created the freight classification system in order to offer a freight pricing structure that was standardized for all kinds of shippable commodities. There are 18 freight classes that commodities are grouped into. They are signified as numbers from 50 through 500. Your freight’s classification is determined by its liability, value, ease of handling, density, dimensions and weight. The lower that the class number is usually means the lower the freight shipping cost will be.
Q: What is an NMFC number?
A: What the NMFTA does is assign each shippable product with a unique number. For example, wood finished tile has the NMFC number of 182355. The NMFC number is used by carriers and shippers to correlate a product with a freight class. This is then used for calculating shipment charges.
Q: Is it okay to estimate my freight weight and dimensions?
A: You should never estimate freight weight and freight dimensions. It is critical to measure the height, width and length to the nearest inch, particularly for LTL shipping, since the carriers rely on precise dimensions for determining the amount of freight that can fit on a single truck. Estimated or incorrect measurements may result in an expensive carrier adjustment.
Weight, similar to freight dimensions, needs to also be accurate. Typically freight carriers use the listed weight for determining the amount of freight that can fit onto one truck. There are truck weight regulations that have been put into place by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and incorrect weight most likely will result in prices being adjusted.
Q: What is a BOL?
A: In the freight shipping industry, BOL is short for bill of lading. The document works as a contract between the freight shipper and carrier, or receipt for freight services. The freight shipper supplies all of the necessary details for correctly processing and invoicing a shipment (weight, freight classification, number of units, date of shipment, etc.). The BOL is then created and at pickup is given to the carrier. The shipper also keeps a copy of the BOL for their records.
Q: How should I package fragile good?
A: Whenever you are packing fragile items to ship them, it is very important that they are packed carefully to prevent them from being damaged in shipment. Although it is a necessary precaution to crate fragile item, there are also other things that you can do to protect them further, including:
Wrapping items like glass separately. That will protect them from coming into contact with items that are non-fragile.
Pack as many fragile items as possible in one crate so that during transit there is limited movement inside the crate.
Q: How can I ship hazardous materials?
A. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) considers any material posing an unreasonable risk to property, safety or health to be hazardous. It has put classes into place in order to differentiate various kinds.
DOT Hazard Classes:
1. Explosives
2. Gases
3. Flammable liquids
4. Flammable solids, materials that are dangerous when they are wet and spontaneously combustible materials
5. Organic peroxides and oxidizers
6. Etiologic materials and poisons
7. Radioactive material
8. Corrosives
9. Miscellaneous dangerous articles and substances
ORM-D: Other regulated materials
Prior to any of these materials being shipped, first the class must be properly identified and the shipper needs to locate a carrier that meets all DOT transportation and safety requirements.
Q: Can freight transit time be guaranteed?
A: Although freight shipping services are generally quite reliable, typically shipments do not come with guaranteed transit times unless requested. When qualifying and calculating transit time, pickup day isn’t included.
Although there are other common questions and answers that are relevant to the freight shipping industry, hopefully this article will be a useful resource for you the next time you are planning to ship some freight.
Whether this is the very first time for you to ship freight or you have been doing it for many years, Freightquote’s patented technology enables you to receive free and instant freight shipping rates. So sign up now and get started.