Top 8 Shipping Faux Pas to Avoid

#4: Not Adding the Right Accessorials

Accessorials are add-on services that go above and beyond the carrier-provided curbside drop-off and pickup. And, since any shipment weighing 150 pounds or more is considered a freight shipment and requires a liftgate, your shipment will likely need at least one accessorial, if not more.

The most common accessorial needed for freight shipping is the liftgate, required for shipments weighing 150 pounds or more and not being loaded or unloaded at a loading dock. Another common accessorial is the limited access location accessorial, which is required for residential shippers or home-based business shippers because these locations are extra tricky for truck drivers to navigate.

If your shipment is urgent or time-sensitive, you may need to add expedited shipping services since this add-on gives your freight priority over regular freight. Also, cargo vulnerable to extreme cold conditions may require freeze protection services. Depending on what you’re shipping and how time-sensitive, it will help determine what kinds of accessorials you need.

Skipping the process of adding any necessary accessorials can lead to unwanted billing adjustments post-delivery. Avoid this faux pas by ensuring all add-ons are added during the booking process with your shipping agent.

#3: Incorrect Freight Classification

Incorrectly or misclassifying your freight can lead to more pesky and costly billing adjustments. This is also a matter of safety because misclassified cargo can lead to a dangerous situation concerning weight distribution in the back of a truck or incompatible freight types.

Here’s what you need to know about freight class: LTL shipments are assigned a National Motor Freight Classification code, or NMFC code, which helps carriers determine the cost to ship freight. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) developed the NMFC code to ensure that customers get fair pricing with a standardized freight shipping process. Shipment can be sorted into 18 freight classes based on its ease of transportability, ranging from low (class 50) to high (class 500). The four main factors determining freight class are stowability, liability, ease of handling, and density.

If items are sorted incorrectly into the wrong freight class or not sorted at all, the item will be reclassified by the carrier, who will add extra fees to your billing as well. Don’t let that happen to you! Make sure your shipment’s dimensions are as accurate as you can get them, and double-check that your freight class is correct before pickup.

#2: Mismanaging Expectations

Having incorrect expectations about what should or shouldn’t happen in the freight shipping industry can lead to headaches and frustration. We’re talking about pickup and delivery times. While carriers work hard to pick up and deliver shipments on time and as quickly as possible, certain factors outside their control may cause shipping delays. Factors such as weather, increased shipping demand, and shipping during peak seasons can impact transit times.

It’s important to remember that all pickup and delivery times are estimates and not guaranteed. Be transparent with customers if your shipment is delayed and reach out to your shipping provider for additional support, such as assistance with tracking.

#1: Not Working with a 3PL

Going it alone and not working with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) like FreightCenter means you won’t be taking advantage of all the cost savings from the extensive networks that 3PLs have. You will have to do more work than is necessary and waste money.

What we mean is this: You are busy running your business, providing services to your customers, managing the day-to-day details, and having a partner you can trust to handle the shipping, which lets you focus on running your business. Shipping can be time-consuming and take time, pulling your focus away from your company. When you work with a 3PL, one significant aspect of your business is covered: shipping.