Shipping Tip: Port Shipments

In an effort to help our customers with their freight shipping needs, Freightquote.com is publishing freight shipping tips.

Shipments picking up or delivering to ports can have a number of special requirements. When booking these shipments with Freightquote.com, or any other freight broker, make sure to provide your account representative with any reference numbers, delivery orders, or other paperwork that the driver may require. This will allow Freightquote.com to provide the carrier with specific shipment information and the appropriate documents necessary.

Your account representative at Freightquote.com can help you avoid attempted pickup, re-delivery, and even storage fees simply by double checking these potential needs on port shipments.

If you have questions regarding a freight shipment, please email customerfeedback@freightquote.com.

Shipping Tip: Cubic Capacity Violations

In an effort to help our customers with their freight shipping needs, Freightquote.com will begin publishing freight shipping tips.

Cubic Capacity Violation: A Cubic Capacity Violation occurs when a shipment’s size exceeds the limitations listed on the BOL for a shipment.

Carriers work to optimize the freight they put in their LTL trucks to maximize their service ability and profits. Carrier tariffs communicate the freight dimensions (length, width, height and weight) a carrier prefers to maximize the space in their trucks. The specifics, or tariff, for each carrier is loaded into the Freightquote.com website and, as long as accurate dimensions and weights are entered at the time of booking, Freightquote.com will pull accurate quotes for the specific shipment.

When a large shipment does not pull a quote on Freightquote.com, it is because the shipment exceeds the cubic capacity limitations. In these instances a volume quote is necessary in order to have the carrier transport the freight. Obtaining a volume quote is the way to negotiate a one-time rate with a carrier for a larger capacity shipment.

A Cubic Capacity Violation occurs if the dimensions of the shipment exceed the carrier’s tariff or the volume quote negotiated. This violation will result in costly adjustments for the shipper.

It is very important for shippers to have accurate weights and dimensions for their freight shipment to ensure a Cubic Capacity Violation is not incurred. This will reduce adjustments for the shipper and complaints with Freightquote.com and freight carriers.

For more information on avoiding adjustments, visit the How To Ship information on Freightquote.com.

If you have any questions regarding a freight shipment, please email customerfeedback@freightquote.com.

Freight Tip: Damaged Freight

In an effort to help our customers with their freight shipping needs, Freightquote.com will begin publishing freight shipping tips.

Freightquote.com customers often ask if they should accept or refuse freight that arrives to them damaged. Refusing a freight shipment is not the same as noting damage on a shipment. As a rule, carriers will not pay freight claims while the freight is in their possession. Likewise, if freight is not claimed by either the shipper or the consignee it becomes the carrier’s possession.

Refusing a shipment is not in the best interest of the shipper or the consignee. If a shipment arrives damaged, the consignee should note all the damages on the delivery receipt when accepting the shipment. Once the damages have been noted, contact Freightquote.com and they will start the claims process with the carrier.

It is important to note all damages to any shipment received on the delivery receipt. Damages can also be documented with pictures. This process will expedite the claims process with Freightquote.com and the carrier.

If you have any questions regarding a freight shipment, please email customerfeedback@freightquote.com.

Trucking Industry Foresees Modest Improvement

Despite up-and-down numbers over the last quarter, U.S. freight volumes are slowly improving. Tonnage is still down over last year but the gap is narrowing as 2009 comes to a close. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) believes the trucking industry is on the road to recovery.
The ATA advance seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index decreased 0.3% in September, after increasing 2.1% in both July and August. ATA argues that the recovery will be moderate and choppy and that the industry shouldn’t be alarmed with the “miniscule” drop in September.
Business researchers appear to generally concur with the ATA’s analysis and cautioned the industry “not to get too excited” over the monthly numbers through the last quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010. They project a second quarter 2010 recovery due to dropping inventory levels.
The trend towards industry recovery is not yet translating into higher freight rates though. Businesses are still in belt-tightening mode and are continuing to operate a reduced inventory levels, even as consumers are beginning to buy again. The lack of freight demand has created excess capacity, which has resulted in carriers dropping freight pricing to compete for the little business out there.
While the drop in freight rates has been damaging to the freight industry, this competition has been a boon for Freightquote’s customers – those companies which are still shipping. As rates drop, Freightquote’s online freight management system helps shippers find the best shipping solution available – from the best rate to the best delivery options – all from reputable carriers. As the economy recovers and rates inevitably rise again, Freightquote is the best place for shippers to stay on top of the rate changes. Whatever the increase, Freightquote’s shippers are assured of the lowest prices as a result of its experience, relationships and technology. These factors – and the efficiency of Freightquote’s system – will assist its shippers in weathering the economic storm.

The Basics of Freight

Who knew that freight could be so complex? The freight industry is a multi-faceted and ever-changing. Navigating the intricacies of the shipping world can be an overwhelming task. Fortunately for shippers, Freightquote.com handles the details for you. Shippers don’t have to worry about missing something – a cheaper option, a legal issue, a strange surcharge – because Freightquote takes care of everything. And there is a lot to take care of.

“Freight” is the transfer of goods, generally on a commercial level. Goods are categorized in several different ways before a shipping channel is determined.

Things to consider about the goods at the beginning of the freight process:
·    The nature of the goods – household goods, grain, hazardous materials, liquid, large machinery, etc.
·    Size and quantity of the goods
·    Time of delivery – do you need it there next month, next week or next day?
·    Packaging – can the goods be boxed, crated or pallet-ized?
·    Destination – domestic, international, intra-state?
Freightquote’s shipping experts can guide you through this process if you are unsure of any of these. When you have a full picture of what type of shipment you’re dealing with, Freightquote will be able to make a recommendation as to what means of transport should be used. And there are several to choose from:
Parcel carriers (like UPS and FedEx) deliver small packages and envelopes. Often even larger household goods can be economically shipped via a parcel carrier.
Less-than-truckload or LTL freight is available for relatively small shipments of multiple items. In LTL freight, a 28 foot container (or trailer) holds shipments for several different shippers, consolidated into one shipment by destination, class and delivery time requirements.
Truckload (TL) freight is available for any shipment larger than about 15,000 pounds. The most economical way to ship these large loads is via its own truck. TL shipments generally deliver on exactly the same trailer as they are picked up on. TL shipments can also utilized specialized equipment like refrigerated trailers, liquid containers and flatbed decks.
Air freight – shipping via airplane – is available for just about every type of freight that can be shipped LTL – at a quicker pace and a higher rate.
Rail freight is the shipment of goods via railway. This is an economical means of transport for almost anything that could be otherwise shipped LTL or TL. Often, rail freight is part of an intermodal process in which the freight starts and ends on the back of a truck – with other modes of transport in the middle.
Ocean or barge freight is available when freight must traverse a body of water. Large ocean-going vessels move freight intercontinentally, usually in corrugated containers. Domestically, certain freight moves on major river channels such as the Mississippi.
After the mode of transport is chosen, the shipper must then wade through pricing, tariffs, discounts and surcharges before even booking a shipment.  Fortunately though, shippers using Freightquote don’t have to deal with this hassle. Freightquote’s web-based freight management system allows shippers to compare bottom line freight rates “apples to apples” with the touch of a button. Instantaneous freight quotes are just the start though – as the same system allows a shipper to book a load, create legally-required shipping documents, track a delivery and pay a shipping invoice.