Mistakes Shippers Make

When moving freight is an every day operation, proper execution is a must. It’s great to have a logistics professional on board to help guide the company through the shipping challenges. Unfortunately, not every company has the luxury of having a freight guru on their team if shipping hasn’t been a big deal for them.

Shipping duties often fall on the shoulders of an existing employee, for example, a sales person. There are a couple common mistakes shippers make due to their lack of hands-on experience.

Common Mistakes Shippers Make

Improper packaging

Improperly packaged freight results in a higher probability of shipment damage. Carriers have begun declining many damage claims due to improper packaging. Eliminate unnecessary costs and limit liability by taking time to consult with a packaging professional.

Avoiding 3PL’s

By going directly to the carrier you save money by not having to pay a 3PL to arrange it for you, right? Very wrong! You have to look at the big picture: a good 3PL is typically getting much better rates because of their volume and buying power, and is able to offer you a better rate (even with the up-charge) than a carrier directly.

Forgetting about insurance

Before handing your freight over to a carrier, make sure to research their insurance coverage policies. If your freight isn’t fully covered, it’s a good idea to purchase additional insurance.

Inaccurate freight class

Businesses often search for ways to ship freight at the lowest class possible, because lower classes cost less. Carriers will most likely catch incorrect class designations, resulting in a re-classification fee. Freight class is a large factor in how carriers determine their charges, so they spend a lot of time and effort on re-classing freight to ensure they are getting paid correctly.

Cannonball Express Transportation

Since 1970, Cannonball Express Shipping Company has been providing top-of-the-line service at a reasonable rate. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, we provide nationwide refrigerated LTL services, as well as, local delivery services.