What’s in a Bill of Lading?

There are a few different kinds of BoL, depending on payment, cargo and shipping method. Most every BoL will require the carrier name and signature, the date and an indication of what kind of goods are being shipped, terms and conditions, and a destination. Here is some basic BoL information every form needs:

Consignor

The cosigner may be the shipper, loader or exporter, depending on the circumstances.  Full name, address, postcode, telephone, fax, and email are required.

Consignee

The person or company that will receive the shipment. Including name(person/company), address, zip code, telephone, fax, email.

Freight Class

Freight class is based on the weight, length, and height, ease of handling, density, value and liability, damage, fragility, and spoilage of your shipment.

Weight

The exact weight of the total shipment. If there are multiple different units, then note each item’s weight.

Description and Packaging

A description of the items being shipped, including the material of manufacture and common name. Also make note of the packaging, including cartons, pallets, crates and drums.

The Importance of Accuracy

A bill of lading may seem complicated, but you only need one BoL at a time per shipment, which makes it a little easier. It’s important to complete the document as accurately as possible during your logistics negotiations and process. BoLs that are properly processed will prevent loss, damage or delay. If you’re still not sure where to start, a shipment manager can take that stress off your shoulders.

Contact Us to learn more about the importance of an accurate Bill of Lading for shipping freight without a hitch.

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A large number of companies have limited resources and time to establish relationships with trucking companies to transport their products on a regular basis.  Because of this, they utilize freight brokers.  A freight broker is in constant contact with the transportation industry and has the expertise to secure competitive freight rates with the carriers and at the same time honoring the shipper’s needs and request.

A shipper’s primary concern is manufacturing a product and distributing to its customer base.  Freight Cowboy’s core concern is transporting the shipper’s goods from factory to end user and having it delivered claim free at a competitive cost.  Many companies have limited internal resources, and it can get very expensive for the shipper as well as time-consuming.  It also requires additional time to handle all the necessary work of setting up shipments directly with carriers.  Companies must give priority on what matters most, and that is their product and let the freight broker handle the shipping of that product.

Freight Cowboy uses their significant amount of volume with carriers to benefit the customer directly by securing the most competitive freight rates.  This established relationship between the Freight Cowboy and the carrier helps make it routine for both ends and keep things running as smoothly as possible at competitive pricing.

In review, a shipper utilizes a broker rather than attempting to set-up their transportation themselves due to the convenience, cost-effectiveness, and expertise in the field by the freight broker.  Freight Cowboy is dedicated to a commitment to excellence in customer service, from the initial contact to the arrival of the shipment at its final destination.

I hope this helps to enlighten you why the services Freight Cowboy supplies value to your company’s mission statement.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or one of our professional Customer Service Reps at 866-367-0011.

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No! In fact, quite the opposite is true. Unless your volumes are such you are able to secure year long contracted rates, the laws of supply and demand come into play quite frequently, requiring spot pricing.  Many factors influence pricing, and over the course of the year, these factors can result in dramatic and sometimes sudden changes.

Spot Market Factors:

Lead Time/Day Shipped – Lead times can significantly impact full truckload pricing. According to a recent MIT study of 8,500 full truckload shipments, allowing for a 24 to 48-hour lead time directly lead to 5% difference in price or $42.00/load. This same study found that loads tendered on Wednesday-Friday were on average $17.00 higher than loads tendered on Monday-Tuesday.

Seasonal Freight – Two major trends during the year can strongly affect your pricing: produce season and retail season.

Produce Season – Which starts around April and ends in July, is the time produce harvesting hits. Even if you aren’t a produce shipper, you could be impacted by high demand for equipment. The most affected regions are Florida (spanning throughout the Southeast), Central California, Texas and Iowa, but there are produce seasons throughout the country all year long, so getting to know these can be quite valuable.

Retail Season – Generally from July to November, is when manufacturers and retailers are ramping up for the holidays. Imports increase, eating up dry-van and intermodal capacity around ports of entry, particularly in southern California.

Regional Capacity – Some areas of the country are considered danger zones for carriers. These are areas with relatively low levels of outbound cargo.

Weather/Climate – Severe weather and drastic climates can lead to changing market rates. The more northerly the lane, the more challenging/costly it can be to move the shipment in the winter.

Holidays & Weekends – Dispatchers have a responsibility to take loads that get drivers to their homes & families during a holiday. If freight must move over a weekend a carrier is likely to prefer a load with enough miles to keep the driver hauling at least through Sunday, as these longer hauls will generate more revenue.

End of the Month/Quarter – Not only do carriers have revenue goals of their own to hit, but they are also acutely aware that shipments being picked up/delivered at the end of a month or quarter often directly impact KPIs that companies measure, and will take advantage of this urgency by charging more than they typically would. Some drivers are also measured by the number of miles they haul in a month/quarter, so there can also be some urgency on the part of the carrier to get that driver longer-mile shipments at the ends of these periods.

How can I survive such a rapidly changing market?

Understanding the above variable market factors can go a long way in ensuring your freight costs stay under control. For instance, allowing for longer lead times will ensure a larger capacity available. Often times, same-day tendered loads will be booked on “last minute” trucks charging a premium. Understanding your market location and when the best time of year to ship raw materials/stock in larger volumes will allow you to avoid seasonal pricing. Finally, small shipping alterations based on distance or day of the week tendered can directly impact the price paid.

Freight Cowboy uses up to the minute market technology to accurately prepare for changing market conditions. In a rapidly evolving market, you are able to stay ahead of these trends and will be notified of any volatility providing more confidence in your own company’s achievement of specific goals. Contact us for more information.

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