HOW TO AVOID EXTRA CHARGES IN FREIGHT SHIPPING

1. LOGICAL MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED
www.logicalmaritimegh.com

2. For small and medium-sized business, warehouses,
manufacturers, distributors, and importers, controlling freight
shipping costs can be essential to maintaining the profitability
of product lines, or even the success of the business itself.
Please find several essential steps to help reduce surprise
charges.

3. Always get fixed cost quotes in writing
Before you allow the carrier or broker to dispatch the truck, be
sure you have written terms of them that describe in full the load
and include all fees.You will need this written document (clearly
from them, in the form of an email, quote, or approved purchase
order) in the event they overcharge you when invoicing.You never
want to be in a position where any part of the pricing was based
on a phone call or your notes alone. How can you prove the carrier
promised to deliver the load, all in, for the price you agreed to
pay?

4. Have correct measurements and weight
The key to a valid fixed cost quote is accurate
length, width, height and weight measurements. If
the carrier shows up and your load is larger or
heavier than anticipated, you will immediately pay
more.

5. Understand your pickup and delivery
locations, and any limitations
Make sure that the truck type you are ordering can
reach the pickup and delivery locations. Can a 53′
truck make the turn in front of your facility? Can
they pick up from your dock? Check yourself to
make sure the carrier cannot classify either pickup
or delivery as residential.

6. Understand your pickup and delivery
locations, and any limitations
Don’t misrepresent a residential location as
commercial and hope the carrier won’t notice.
Residential pickup or delivery will always cost
more.You want to include this information in the
original quote request so you find a carrier that
offers the best rate for this special service as part of
the original quote.

7. Understand if you need any special services,
and make sure they are included in the
quote
Special services include residential delivery/pickup,
tailgate, scheduled time for pickup or delivery (as
opposed to anytime during the specified pickup or
delivery day), hazardous goods, shipment in bond,
and others. Understand what each one means and
make sure it is included in the original quote
request.

8. Understand if you need any special services,
and make sure they are included in the
quote
If you are not clear about the special services needed,
the carrier will provide it anyway and bill you an
uncontrolled rate.You want to know in advance exactly
what special services you need so make sure they are
included in the quote. Special services fees vary by
carrier and you will use this information to get the best
rate from the beginning.

9. If you are shipping cross border, get all customs
paperwork prepared and forwarded to the carrier at
the time of booking
Be sure to have a customs broker that can clear goods
going into the country of delivery and get all paperwork
complete before you contact the carrier or broker to
arrange pickup. Ask your carrier or broker for a
recommendation in advance if you don’t have a customs
broker yet.You don’t want to leave this to the day of the
shipment, because the load can be hung up in customs,
costing you extra charges, delay and lots of stress.

10. Make sure you have pickup and delivery
dates in writing
Part of the cost of each shipment is how fast it will be
delivered. Don’t let brokers or carriers make promises
only over the phone. Get the delivery dates as a firm part
of the rate quote in writing.Also, have a fallback plan in
case weather or other events delay your shipment.
Wherever possible build in an extra day or two for time
critical shipments so an unexpected delay will not
seriously hurt you.

11. Make sure you have the insurance
coverage you need
If you are shipping valuable freight, be sure to get extra insurance,
and make sure all quotes clearly state this coverage and what it
costs. Also, check in advance with third parties to make sure the
carrier or broker has a history of paying claims.Too many carriers
and brokers have a policy of automatically denying any insurance
claims, forcing shippers to sue in the event of damage. Make sure
you are correctly covered by an insurance company, carrier or
broker that will honor your claim.

12. Correctly package your load
Be sure to securely crate, package, plastic wrap or otherwise
protect your load in advance. Most freight damage can be
prevented by correct packaging, and you don’t want the stress
and wasted time of damaged freight and the claims process.Take
the time in advance to package the load correctly.

13. Describe the load carefully so you get
the correct trailer type
Be sure to carefully describe what you are shipping to the carrier
or broker, so they dispatch the correct equipment.You don’t want
them to show up with a van when you need a step-deck, for
example, and you cannot be sure you are getting the best rate
unless you know what equipment type you need. Just because a
carrier has an excellent rate for one equipment type does not
mean they have the best rates for any other.

14. If you need temperature control, be
sure to state it upfront
If your shipment must remain frozen, is perishable, or cannot
freeze, don’t be tempted to cut costs, ship it in a van, and hope for
the best.You don’t want your customers complaining of damaged
goods because several weeks later they realize a perishable item
was damaged in transit due to lack of climate control. Be sure to
state your temperature control needs in writing, make sure the
quote includes this service and make sure this requirement is
clearly stated on the Bill of Lading so all drivers understand and
deliver this service.

15. Always check Google reviews on your
carriers or brokers, and only work with
highly rated companies
Unfortunately, problems frequently occur during freight shipping,
even by the best companies, and you need customer support that
answers the phone, cares about you, and will immediately help
you get the load delivered on time despite any setbacks. Google
reviews are the best indicator of how the carrier or broker will
treat you if something goes wrong.

16. Be ready when the carrier shows up for
pickup or delivery
This should be obvious, but is still a common cause of extra
charges. If your load is not ready when the truck arrives, or you
are not available to accept the shipment on the day it is planned
for delivery, you will frequently pay extra charges for driver
detention or the need to reschedule delivery.Wait until the load is
completely ready to go before booking the shipment, and be sure
the person responsible for receiving the freight has scheduled to
have staff on site to the delivery day.

17. Make sure the rate quote is in your
currency
Depending on the exchange rates, the rates can be much better
(or worse) that they seem at first. Make sure that the quote is
guaranteed in your currency. Otherwise, you can be in for a bad
shock when you get the bill and have to pay the fluctuating
exchange rate, which can make the rate 40% or higher than you
expected.