Rising Shipping Costs

Your business has to ship. There’s no getting around it. Here are three cost-saving shipping tips for every small business:

1) Compare Rates

Shopping for the right rates can save you a significant amount of money. Rates can fluctuate for each carrier, especially when gas prices are on the rise. For businesses shipping freight, there are online transportation management systems that make shopping for transportation rates an efficient process, like the LTL Rate Shopper from Freight Cowboy. This service lists current rates and available service levels for a variety of carriers.

2) Know Your Product

All products for the shipment should be accurately designated on the OBOL, since declaring the wrong class or weight and dimensions to a carrier will result in additional charges plus a fee for having to perform the reclassification or reweigh. Getting your class, weight and measurements right from the start will help you avoid delays and surprise fees.

3) Shipment Consolidation

Shipping multiple packages or skids to the same address on the same? If parcel, place them into one box to avoid individual fuel surcharges or additional charges for shipping. If LTL, combining orders, if possible,  will lower your price per CWT thereby lower your total cost. As well, if the combined order totals six (6) or more pallets you may be better off getting a “spot” quote from LTL providers, most have a pricing department that handle these types of quotes.

Use a Freight Broker

Using the right freight broker gives you a resource to help you find the best deals on daily basis for inbound or outbound freight shipments. Getting the best rate depends on gathering the correct shipment characteristics, understanding the needs of your consumer from a transit perspective and matching those requirements to the right carrier, which are all things a freight broker can assist with.

Be Proactive

Shipping rates will continue to rise due to demand, fuel prices, and carriers seeking to boost their own bottom lines. Businesses must adopt proactive strategies to offset or eliminate rate hikes.

Contact Us to learn more about getting the best shipping rates for your small business.

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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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