Shipping Medical Supplies
Online freight calculator for shipping medical supplies. Use our tool free and see current real time rates saving you money.
Shipping Medical Supplies
If you are a medical provider or supplier, you know how urgently hospitals and medical offices need medical supplies. They could relieve someone in pain, provide relief to those in need, or even save a person’s life.
However, shipping medical supplies is also tricky. Some medical supplies, like gloves, masks, and scrubs, are inexpensive but needed in large quantities. There are also expensive medical equipment that are highly valuable and fragile, susceptible to damage and theft during shipping. However, all medical supplies are usually needed quickly and must be shipped via expedited shipping or fast transportation.
Are you shipping medical supplies? Let FreightCenter help you get your equipment and supplies where they need to go fast and securely. Learn more about how we can help below.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
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Why Proper Medical Equipment Shipping Is Crucial
Shippers and receivers never want their assets lost or damaged during shipping. Unfortunately, this can be common for medical equipment manufacturers, hospitals, and others in the industry. Medical equipment is expensive and made with fragile glass and thin plastic. They are also valuable, which makes them a perfect target for cargo theft.
Patients may rely on the machines, devices, and supplies you are shipping. Damages during medical equipment shipping can be avoided to ensure your patient’s livelihood, so carriers and freight brokers go the extra mile to ensure medical equipment and supplies reach their destination.
What Type of Medical Supplies or Equipment Can Be Shipped?
Medical supplies include any items used in a medical environment:
- Lasers
- Hospital beds, treatment tables, and other hospital room furniture
- MRI machines
- Covid test kits
- Medication
- CT scanners
- Lab equipment
- Surgical devices
- Computers and peripherals
- X-ray machines
- Bandages, creams, ointments, and or other supplies
- Miscellaneous medical supplies
Read through the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Comprehensive List of Basic Medical Supplies for a complete list of medical supplies and equipment that can be shipped.
How to Transport High-Value or Heavy Medical Equipment
Medical equipment is often oversized and very heavy. Medical supplies and equipment are difficult to ship because they can also be fragile and contain costly components like gauges, lenses or mirrors, and other delicate internal items. To protect some equipment, special requirements must be met for their shipping or storage for their safety.
Specialized medical equipment will require special handling and packaging. Because of this, it is recommended that high-value or fragile medical supplies or equipment should be appropriately crated or boxed before being picked up by a freight truck. White Glove delivery can be a great solution when you need the items delivered inside your business.
How Do You Properly Prepare Medical Equipment and Supplies to be Shipped?
Medical equipment items can’t simply be placed in any type of container and are expected to arrive in one piece at their destination. This is why FreightCenter has specific practices and ongoing education for handling sensitive medical equipment shipping and packaging.
Step One: Your Account Manager will advise you on the best way to prepare your shipments. This means you must ensure it is boxed or crated to meet the shipping requirements for its fragility and value.
Step Two: We will recommend our opinion on the best type of packaging and container it should go in. This way, it can be securely mounted to a pallet or skid, cushioned, and crated for the safest transport available.
Step Three: To ensure safe delivery, find the right company to transport your medical equipment.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a smart logistics solution for businesses with smaller shipments. It combines multiple smaller shipments into a single truckload, optimizing space and reducing costs. LTL shipping offers affordability and efficiency while ensuring timely delivery, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to save on transportation expenses without compromising on service quality.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to meet urgent delivery needs. It prioritizes speed and quick turnaround, ensuring that packages or goods reach their destination faster than standard shipping options. Expedited shipping is the go-to choice when time-sensitive deliveries are essential, providing businesses and individuals with reliable and prompt service for critical shipments.
The most reliable Specialized Freight Services rates from all the top carriers are just a few steps away. From white glove service to international shipping, we've got you covered.
Best Practices for Shipping Medical Equipment
To get your medical equipment and supplies to arrive safely and promptly, FreightCenter recommends the following:
- Plan ahead. Do not wait; plan ahead. The need for equipment and supplies is extremely urgent. It can become especially critical during major medical emergencies or severe weather events.
- Outside temperature and humidity. Does your shipment required a certain temperature or humidity level? Arrange for a temperature-controlled truck that will regulate the humidity levels and temperature.
- Labeling the HAZMAT’s. Your shipment will get held up if you fail to label anything hazmat. This means explosive, radioactive, toxic, or simply dangerous things that could jeopardize the shipment, other shipments, and the driver.
- Proper packing is the best insurance. Your medical equipment and supplies will not arrive undamaged if you fail to package it correctly. Making sure you have the maximum protection is simply the best solution. Crating and proper shock-absorbing padding can help protect your cargo while putting your package on a pallet makes moving your freight in and out of the trailer easy.
- Ship it dissembled. Dissembling your item will make it safer to transport and significantly reduce the shipping costs since it will take up less room. Taking it apart and reassembling your medical equipment is a major hassle; however, ensuring a damage-free shipment is often worth it.
- Insure items. High-value medical items should be insured to protect them in case of an unforeseen situation. Medical equipment and supplies are some of the biggest commodities that are approved for insurance,
- Inspect at Delivery. Properly inspect your freight and note any damages at delivery. If your item appears to be significantly damaged, it may be best to refuse the delivery of the medical equipment.
- Re-assembling. Because you took the critical step of dissembling your item, you should prepare for possibly a significant amount of re-assembling time to get your equipment in working order.
FreightCenter Makes Shipping Medical Supplies Easy
Transporting supplies from one location to the next can add up quickly, and not just in dollars. Freight shipping can take time to go from one location to another, which isn’t acceptable when shipping medical supplies. That’s why you need to find a service that both saves you time and money.
At FreightCenter, we help businesses ship medical supplies at significant cost savings. Our agents can assist with any special shipping needs or requirements, while also assisting in filing paperwork, communicating with carriers, and tracking your shipment.
Try our instant online quote tool or call (800)716-7608 to see what savings you can achieve when shipping medical supplies with us.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping Medical Supplies
Q. What types of medical supplies can be shipped via freight?
Freight shipping can accommodate a wide range of medical supplies, including but not limited to medical devices, surgical instruments, pharmaceutical drugs, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), diagnostic equipment, and medical furniture.
Q. How do I ship medical supplies?
When shipping medical supplies, follow these proven steps: 1. Ensure proper packaging and labeling to meet regulatory requirements. 2. Use reliable shipping carriers with experience in handling medical equipment. 3. Provide necessary documentation such as permits or licenses. 4. Consider temperature-controlled shipping for perishable items. By following these steps, you can securely and efficiently ship medical supplies.
Q. Are there any specific regulations for shipping medical supplies via freight?
When shipping medical equipment, it is essential to comply with all relevant regulatory and safety requirements. This includes any specific labeling or documentation needed for certain medical devices or equipment types.
Q. How should I package medical supplies for freight shipping?
Proper packaging is crucial to ensure the safe transportation of medical supplies. Use sturdy boxes or containers, and consider using cushioning materials like bubble wrap or foam to protect fragile items. Follow any specific packaging guidelines provided by the manufacturer or regulatory agencies.
Q. Is temperature control necessary for certain medical supplies during freight shipping?
Temperature-sensitive medical supplies, such as vaccines, biologics, and certain medications, may require temperature-controlled shipping. Ensure that you use appropriate insulated packaging or refrigerated containers when necessary.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Shipping Medical Supplies
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
