Whether you are a shipper with years of experience or one that has just started to ship goods, it is important to know what the most common FTL shipping mistakes are so that they can be prevented. FTL shipping mistakes can result in lost time and additional unforeseen costs impacting both shipper and carrier.
Here we reveal the top eight FTL shipping mistakes that we most commonly see in order to help our customers move their freight more easily and reliably!
The Top Eight FTL Shipping Mistakes
Paying Too Much
If your freight does not have to be delivered urgently, or if you have less than half a truckload, you should not be using FTL shipping or you will be paying too much. For shippers who work with a preferred carrier and typically have a full truckload, it can be attractive to just go ahead and send your shipment FTL based on carrier trust, even when you could really use LTL.
In these instances, consider requesting LTL or work with a broker who can match your freight to an LTL shipper, saving you significant expense.
Not Having an FTL Carrier Backup Plan
OK, so you work with an FTL carrier who is always on-time and available for you, but what happens in the event that you have a shipment that is outside of your regular schedule or if the carrier is either fully booked or going through an unexpected challenge?
One of the biggest mistakes that FTL shippers make is not having available alternatives if needed. It is always best to have a backup carrier or broker you can work with for simple risk mitigation – especially if you are shipping sensitive freight like refrigerated or fresh produce or have urgent, out of cycle shipments from time to time.
Inadequate Packaging
One of the advantages of FTL is that your freight is not handled as much as with LTL shipments. The reduced handling means that you have a bit more protection when it comes to packaging but adequate packaging is still needed, nonetheless.
For large, custom items like furniture or other crafted items that can be shipped on a pallet, make sure that your goods are also padded or shrink wrapped well to avoid any damage that could potentially occur during the handling or transit process.
As for pallets, make sure that they are in good condition without loose or broken boards or nails that stick out. You may find that your older pallets can not withstand the shipping process which then impacts your freight as well. Damaged pallets can result in disassembled freight including lost items.
For boxed goods, be sure to use strong packing materials, such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and foam peanuts. Secure your packaging with strong packing tape.
Damaged items typically run through a claims process but, if the items were not properly packaged, the shipper runs the risk of losing their claim. They potentially lose the value of their goods and then have to pay the additional expense of shipping replacement product to the end destination.
Documentation Issues
One of the most avoidable FTL shipping mistakes, be sure that your freight shipment has the right paperwork. If there are any issues with your paperwork such as missing documentation, mistakes, or incorrect information such as the classification, description, value, size and weight of goods, or the delivery address, your freight runs the risk of either not being picked up, experiencing delivery challenges, or costing you more to ship than originally quoted.
For shippers with recurring instances of documentation errors, carriers may choose to avoid working with them in the future.
Incorrect Dimensions and Class
Class of freight is determined by a number of factors including the dimensions and weight of the goods being shipped. Incorrect freight class can cause issues for the carrier when it comes time to weigh the truck which can cause delays and result in an increased invoice amount for the shipper.
Classification of freight can be a particular challenge for smaller shippers who may not have adequate weighing capabilities. For these shippers, it is important to estimate weight and dimensions as accurately as possible and record any adjustments that are made to prevent ongoing classification and invoicing issues for repeat shipments.
Not Planning Ahead
One of the most common mistakes shippers make is underestimating the time it takes to reserve an available FTL carrier, schedule pickup and delivery, and account for transit time.
For deliveries that must be made by a certain date, transit time is an especially important consideration and should account for pickup and delivery location traffic patterns, the in-between route, and potential weather or other disruptions.
Additional time considerations must be made for packing the shipment so that it is ready for the carrier to pick up. Carriers who arrive at a pickup location where the freight is not prepared for shipment will most likely move on to another job. Carriers are not involved in packing freight, so it must be 100% ready to go at time of pick up.
Not planning ahead is one of the greatest factors in costly delays and missed deadlines.
Not Being Available for Pickup or Delivery
FTL shipments typically involve pre-determined pickup and delivery times. It is imperative that shippers be ready and available when the carrier arrives so that they can load the truck and be on their way in order to make their delivery time commitment.
The biggest reasons for failure at point of pickup is the shipper not being there, the shipper not having the freight ready to go, the documentation not being ready, or the shipper location not being cleared so that the carrier’s truck can adequately park and dock to receive the freight.
At the delivery end, it is just as important for the recipient to be available at the scheduled time. The carrier will typically call ahead, prior to delivery, to confirm a time and ensure that the receiver will be there to accept the shipment.
Roadblocks at the receiver’s end include not being there for delivery, not having an “authorized” person available to sign for the shipment, and the facility not having adequate space for the carrier to park and unload.
This is another area where simple planning ahead can avoid costly FTl shipping mistakes and delays with your freight pickup and delivery.
Not Communicating with Your Carrier
Communication mistakes or lapses are another concern for both shipper and carrier. Clear communication should be used to avoid pickup and delivery issues, freight classification errors, and preferred shipping method misunderstandings.
Beside these basic pieces of information, any changes that occur either before pickup or between pickup and delivery should be communicated as quickly as possible to the carrier. The most common in-transit change that shippers make is delivery time and sometimes even destination. Communicating these changes right away can avoid the shipper additional unplanned costs.
Eliminating FTL Shipping Mistakes
Now that you know the top eight FTL shipping mistakes, you are on your way to being better equipped to avoid them and ensure that your shipments are handled smoothly. This saves time and costs for both shipper and carrier and creates a great working relationship for both parties.
Contact On Track Freight Systems for Reliable FTL Shipping
Not all FTL shipping carriers are created equally. On Track Freight Systems is a proven freight shipping leader with a large, nationwide footprint and has provided shippers with fast, efficient, and reliable FTL services for decades.
We also offer fast and affordable, next-day deliveries throughout the New York and New Jersey metro area.Contact On Track Freight Systems today to request a rate quote.
