... that could be costing you money ! 😐
Getting your freight out the door is a top priority but doing it hastily can sometimes cost you more in the long run. According to Choptank’s Cold LTL division, here are seven of the most common mistakes made when it comes to shipping reefer LTL freight.
1. Weight - Shippers will sometimes tender their loads at net weight, but that is not correct. Failure to provide accurate information regarding the weights of your product can result in rate increases and delays due to overweight trucks. For accurate billing, invoicing and load planning, gross weight is required. What are the differences between net, tare and gross weight?
- Tare Weight: the weight of the packaging or container, before the product is included. For example, the plastic containers that are used for packing coleslaw or potato salad. The tare weight is the combined weight of all the containers WITHOUT product in them.
- Net Weight: the weight of the product itself, WITHOUT any packaging included. So, for example, a pack of 12 oz. frozen burgers without the packaging.
- Gross Weight: the weight of both container, product, and all packaging material. The gross weight is the number that matters the most to the carrier.
2. Missing Purchase Order Information: Purchase orders sent in with only the delivery information on the paperwork can cause delays and confusion if not noticed immediately. Shipments can require different release numbers and may even have different account names on a load. All pertinent information must be included on the original purchase order to schedule the pick-up and delivery successfully.
3. Pallet Counts: Accurate pallet counts and product information can make the difference between consolidating LTL freight to make a full truckload or creating a void and wasting valuable floor space. For example, can the pallets be stacked? If so, this should be noted on the tendered load.
4. Pallet Stacking: Know what to expect when a shipment is tendered as “stackable.” When a 3PL load is tendered as “stackable”, the shipper is required to stack the freight before loading or during loading. The carrier is not responsible for stacking freight since it would then become a liability for them if there were any damages caused by the stacking.
5. Shrink Wrapping: When a product gets damaged during transit, it is most likely because either no shrink wrap was used to secure the freight or the person preparing the shipment used inadequate shrink-wrapping techniques.
6. Pallet Selection: Don’t go cheap on pallets! There are different kinds of pallets, and some are not designed for heavy use. Recycled or repaired pallets, for example, may cost less but can cause problems for heavier shipments. Even one broken board or piece of missing wood can compromise the platform’s integrity and collapse under the weight of some products, causing big problems in transit.
7. Bills of Lading: The biggest single mistake a shipper can make on a cold LTL load is not supplying the proper information on the bill of lading, including temperature of product, weights, correct piece count, all pick-up and delivery phone numbers, complete product details, and of course … the shipper’s name and address, receiver’s name and address.
Not sure you have all the information you need to get an accurate quote? Choptank Transport’s cold LTL division can help answer any questions you may have about your shipment. Our website offers a map with Choptank’s cold LTL service areas highlighted. If you need expert advise or just want a quick rate quote, trust the experts!
