Shipping Tips for small business
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✓Always make sure your freight is labeled correctly, full shipper and consignee information
✓Make sure your freight is properly packed, nothing is exposed or loosely packed. Your goods should be boxed or crated. If you palletize your goods you must have cardboard your goods all around and then shrink wrap
✓For port to port service or door to port service, prepare to clear customs, pay any terminal fees and collect your goods
✓Terminals / Port overseas generally permit 5 business days of free storage, so its best to have your documents prepared so you can clear customs and collect your goods
✓When obtaining quotes, make sure you select the correct location type and additional accessorial such as lift gate
✓Domestic freight shipping quotes are generally valid for 30 days
✓Shipping to Mexico? you must have your inventory approved by the Mexican Consulate prior to shipping
✓If you place your order by noon time you have a 95% chance of having your goods collected the same day
✓Avoid using big boxes with heavy items such as books. Boxes will generally break. Heavy items should be packed in small or medium boxes
✓Be sure to select the correct commodity for your shipment in order to obtain the correct quote, not sure? Contact us to verify
✓For International shipments, make sure you have your inventory available for custom clearance over seas
✓All palletized goods should be banded and shrink wrapped and stacked no higher then 80” and within the borders of the pallets
✓Residential pickups? make sure all your boxes are ready on to be loaded and you schedule a lift gate
✓Dimensions should be rounded to the nearest inch. LTL carriers rely on correct freight dimensions. Wrong freight dimensions will result in an adjustment from the carrier and may be costly
✓To ensure freight is not damaged in transit, ShippingQuest recommends crating or palletizing all freight shipments. If shipping multiple boxes it is best that they are all bundled together
✓Wood crates provide a safe, flexible option when shipping fragile items. Crates can be built to accommodate standard and non-standard freight dimensions and continue to provide protection for fragile shipping loads
✓Oversize fee: Applies to shipments exceeding 10 feet in length. If the dimensions are factored into the quote in advance, this fee can be avoided
✓Lift-gate: Lift-gate trucks are required for freight exceeding 100 pounds or 72 inches in height and the pick up or drop off location does not have an accessible dock to move the shipment directly off the truck
✓Limited delivery access: If the pick up or drop off location has limited access for carriers, an adjustment may be applied, Limited access areas are defined as but not limited to prisons, military bases, any non-commercial facility, churches, schools, self storage facilities, mine sites, and/or utility sites
✓Residential fees: Can apply to pick up or drop off locations that are not businesses
✓Re-class: If a freight carrier has quoted a shipment based on a Freight/NMFC class, and the actual class is different for the items being shipped, a re-class adjustment will be applied
✓Bill of lading changes: Changes to the bill of lading, including changes to the shipper address, consignee address, piece count, weight and freight call can result in adjustments if a carrier has based the freight quote on any of the provided information
✓Do Not Ship: Living plants or animals , Money, securities, valuable papers, jewelry
✓Plan it: Make sure you know the freight your shipping, packaging type, dimensions and weight
✓Prepare it: Whether your shipping domestically or internationally, make sure your goods are properly boxed
✓Secure it: in order to best protect your goods from damage and loss during transit, make sure your goods are palletized, banded, shrink wrapped and labeled
✓ Ship it: Use clear labels, complete and correct bills of lading with accurate freight description
✓ No additional charges if you requires a pickup or delivery appointment
✓ If your good require additional insurance, please advise our agents, we got you covered, domestically and internationally
✓ International Shipping service all have scheduled sailings that sail weekly to over 160 countries
✓ When you’re shipping fragile items, label fragile & pack them with special care to avoid damage during transit
✓ Keep Fragile items separately from non fragile items. This will help minimize any damage if there is movement within the crate during transit
✓ Only trusted national carriers you know and trust will quote your request
✓ International Shipping ? ShippingQuest customs regulations guide for export or imports will help you, call us! 855-QUEST-US
✓ Need Crating? ShippingQuest can offer custom crating service that meet all national and international standards
✓ Want to avoid additional fees ? Use ShippingQuest, we stand behind our quotes
ShippingQuest is a pioneer for online freight shipping connecting you to hundreds of carriers you know and trust at discount prices for domestic and international shipping. Get connected to the most powerful and trusted name in the shipping industry and start saving today!
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