As one of the largest logistical expenditures, it’s critical to pay special attention to your shipping costs. the team at On Track Freight Systems can help you achieve that goal. Whether you’re looking to ship LTL freight in a cost-effective way or FTL, we’ve outlined a few of our top shipping tips for small businesses designed to keep your costs low and manageable. Continue reading to learn more and don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at On Track Freight Systems today for the best shipping rates.
Switching to LTL Transportation Is the Top Shipping Tip for Small Businesses
If you’re currently shipping parcel shipments, it may make dollars and sense for you to explore the benefits of LTL shipping for small businesses. In general, parcel shipping involves packages that are less than 150 pounds and can be easily lifted. But if your cargo weighs more than this threshold or is irregularly shaped, parcel shipping may be costing you more than necessary.
Less-than-truckload Is a popular mode of freight transportation that usually deals with packages that are larger or bulk shipments. LTL shipping is also ideal for uniquely shaped packages. A few key benefits of switching to LTL shipping for small businesses include:
- Reduced chances of loss and damages
- Fewer checkpoints and transfers
- Potential for cost savings
- And more
Strategically Package to Avoid Damage
Although this may seem like an obvious, no-brainer; damage can occur while the product is in transit. Because of this, it’s vital to use proper packaging techniques — whether you’re shipping parcels, LTL, or FTL. Failure to do so can result in lost inventory or damaged products, which can lead to unhappy customers.
Make sure you are aware of the best practices when it comes to packaging and proper pallet staging, including bracing, blocking, and stretch wrapping techniques. Pallet types and dimensions can vary, so it’s important for you to know the protective solutions necessary for your freight.
Even if your shipments can’t be packaged, there are a number of options that you can use based on the dimensions and weight of the shipment. Make sure to speak to your On Track transportation specialist for assistance, expertise, and guidance.
Ensure You State the Most Accurate Freight Information
It’s simple: make sure you get your freight information exact, especially:
- Height
- Width
- Length
If you need to round up, you should do so to the next inch. All LTL and FTL carriers rely on the freight dimensions you provide to estimate the number of individual loads that a certain truck can handle. Inaccurate dimensions of freight will result in an adjustment from the carrier, which could lead to higher costs.
Freight Shipment Weight
Another key factor in determining freight quotes is the weight. The Department of Transportation strictly regulates the weight of trucks on highways. And your carrier is tasked with managing the weight of their trucks. If you provide inaccurate weights for your freight, it can lead to price adjustment, which can include an additional fee.
Stay Informed on Delivery Schedules for Time-Sensitive Shipments
When you’re looking for the best delivery estimates, you should rely on the carrier’s transit times. However, if you’re working with a time-sensitive window, your best option is to go with a carrier that offers Next-Day LTL delivery. At On Track Freight Systems, we pride ourselves in meeting our customers’ needs with an array of highly affordable LTL shipping solutions. For example, we have the ability to deliver fast overnight, next-day shipping throughout the New York and New Jersey area.
Make Sure You are Aware of Shipping Location Requirements
When you’re shipping to your customers, make sure you are aware of what the destination and origin require. Most logistics carriers and trucking companies have come to expect to deliver and pick up to/from loading docks. If your shipping points do not have loading docks, it’s important the carrier knows and adequately handles it. Other key delivery concerns include:
- Lift gate delivery
- Notifications
- Special handling
- Residential deliveries
- And more.
In either case, all of these criteria are key to you and your carrier.
Make Sure You Understand Freight Quote vs Freight Rate
One common point of confusion among shippers is freight quote vs freight rate. The final bill for the delivery is always invoiced after the shipment has moved or after the carrier charges the broker. This amount can differ from the original quote because of discrepancies in the details that have been provided. Even relatively minor errors that may be made in class or weight can significantly impact the final invoice. For instance, if your class number isn’t properly researched or your weight was estimated, it can cause a significant jump in your bill.
At the same time, extra services like a residential delivery, driver assist, and liftgate can all show up on your bill after the fact because the locations for delivery were not properly researched. If services have been requested by either party once the quote was made, you’ll see the adjustment in the final rate as well. It’s important to understand that a freight quote can be extremely flexible based on the several variables that can impact the final freight rate.
Ensure You Keep All Documentation
When shipping products or freight, it’s imperative to keep proper documentation. It can be used to produce invoices for receivers, direct carriers to delivery, as well as satisfy legal requirements. You should have accurate information on each shipment, ranging from unit count to address labels.
The Bill of Lading
One of the most important shipping documents is the Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL can help determine the cost of your shipment based on commodity and class as well as list out any extra services you may have been billed for. Another key piece of documentation is your freight invoice.
This document can be used to review and explore opportunities to bolster operations, minimize additional freight costs, and to check for possible errors. Other vital documents are inspection reports and proof of delivery receipts. In short, each piece of documentation required in the freight shipping process should be reviewed and securely filed as a top priority.
Contact On Track Freight Systems for More Shipping Tips for Small Businesses
One of the most often overlooked but critical shipping tips for small businesses is to work with an experienced partner like On Track Freight Systems. At On Track, we boast decades of experience working with businesses to help strategically lower costs and ensure on-time deliveries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your shipping and logistics goals.
As one of the largest logistical expenditures, it’s critical to pay special attention to your shipping costs. the team at On Track Freight Systems can help you achieve that goal. Whether you’re looking to ship LTL freight in a cost-effective way or FTL, we’ve outlined a few of our top shipping tips for small businesses designed to keep your costs low and manageable. Continue reading to learn more and don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at On Track Freight Systems today for the best shipping rates.
Switching to LTL Transportation Is the Top Shipping Tip for Small Businesses
If you’re currently shipping parcel shipments, it may make dollars and sense for you to explore the benefits of LTL shipping for small businesses. In general, parcel shipping involves packages that are less than 150 pounds and can be easily lifted. But if your cargo weighs more than this threshold or is irregularly shaped, parcel shipping may be costing you more than necessary.
Less-than-truckload Is a popular mode of freight transportation that usually deals with packages that are larger or bulk shipments. LTL shipping is also ideal for uniquely shaped packages. A few key benefits of switching to LTL shipping for small businesses include:
- Reduced chances of loss and damages
- Fewer checkpoints and transfers
- Potential for cost savings
- And more
Strategically Package to Avoid Damage
Although this may seem like an obvious, no-brainer; damage can occur while the product is in transit. Because of this, it’s vital to use proper packaging techniques — whether you’re shipping parcels, LTL, or FTL. Failure to do so can result in lost inventory or damaged products, which can lead to unhappy customers.
Make sure you are aware of the best practices when it comes to packaging and proper pallet staging, including bracing, blocking, and stretch wrapping techniques. Pallet types and dimensions can vary, so it’s important for you to know the protective solutions necessary for your freight.
Even if your shipments can’t be packaged, there are a number of options that you can use based on the dimensions and weight of the shipment. Make sure to speak to your On Track transportation specialist for assistance, expertise, and guidance.
Ensure You State the Most Accurate Freight Information
It’s simple: make sure you get your freight information exact, especially:
- Height
- Width
- Length
If you need to round up, you should do so to the next inch. All LTL and FTL carriers rely on the freight dimensions you provide to estimate the number of individual loads that a certain truck can handle. Inaccurate dimensions of freight will result in an adjustment from the carrier, which could lead to higher costs.
Freight Shipment Weight
Another key factor in determining freight quotes is the weight. The Department of Transportation strictly regulates the weight of trucks on highways. And your carrier is tasked with managing the weight of their trucks. If you provide inaccurate weights for your freight, it can lead to price adjustment, which can include an additional fee.
Stay Informed on Delivery Schedules for Time-Sensitive Shipments
When you’re looking for the best delivery estimates, you should rely on the carrier’s transit times. However, if you’re working with a time-sensitive window, your best option is to go with a carrier that offers Next-Day LTL delivery. At On Track Freight Systems, we pride ourselves in meeting our customers’ needs with an array of highly affordable LTL shipping solutions. For example, we have the ability to deliver fast overnight, next-day shipping throughout the New York and New Jersey area.
Make Sure You are Aware of Shipping Location Requirements
When you’re shipping to your customers, make sure you are aware of what the destination and origin require. Most logistics carriers and trucking companies have come to expect to deliver and pick up to/from loading docks. If your shipping points do not have loading docks, it’s important the carrier knows and adequately handles it. Other key delivery concerns include:
- Lift gate delivery
- Notifications
- Special handling
- Residential deliveries
- And more.
In either case, all of these criteria are key to you and your carrier.
Make Sure You Understand Freight Quote vs Freight Rate
One common point of confusion among shippers is freight quote vs freight rate. The final bill for the delivery is always invoiced after the shipment has moved or after the carrier charges the broker. This amount can differ from the original quote because of discrepancies in the details that have been provided. Even relatively minor errors that may be made in class or weight can significantly impact the final invoice. For instance, if your class number isn’t properly researched or your weight was estimated, it can cause a significant jump in your bill.
At the same time, extra services like a residential delivery, driver assist, and liftgate can all show up on your bill after the fact because the locations for delivery were not properly researched. If services have been requested by either party once the quote was made, you’ll see the adjustment in the final rate as well. It’s important to understand that a freight quote can be extremely flexible based on the several variables that can impact the final freight rate.
Ensure You Keep All Documentation
When shipping products or freight, it’s imperative to keep proper documentation. It can be used to produce invoices for receivers, direct carriers to delivery, as well as satisfy legal requirements. You should have accurate information on each shipment, ranging from unit count to address labels.
The Bill of Lading
One of the most important shipping documents is the Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL can help determine the cost of your shipment based on commodity and class as well as list out any extra services you may have been billed for. Another key piece of documentation is your freight invoice.
This document can be used to review and explore opportunities to bolster operations, minimize additional freight costs, and to check for possible errors. Other vital documents are inspection reports and proof of delivery receipts. In short, each piece of documentation required in the freight shipping process should be reviewed and securely filed as a top priority.
Contact On Track Freight Systems for More Shipping Tips for Small Businesses
One of the most often overlooked but critical shipping tips for small businesses is to work with an experienced partner like On Track Freight Systems. At On Track, we boast decades of experience working with businesses to help strategically lower costs and ensure on-time deliveries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your shipping and logistics goals.
