New To Freight Shipping? A Few Questions You Should Ask

Posted on: 27 October 2020

If you have just recently opened a business and will be shipping freight, you may not realize that freight shipping is completely different than parcel shipping. Shipping freight is not as straightforward as simply taking your package to the local Post Office. As a new freight shipper, you may become pretty overwhelmed. So, here are a few questions and answers to help clear the muddy water while saving you both time and money in the process.

How Is Freight Shipping Different Than Parcel Shipping?

As a general rule, your cargo is going to weigh more, can be crated or palletized, needs to be lifted with a forklift or liftgate, and may require special requirements (like climate-controlled shipping). The cost is determined by freight class or density. When it comes to shipping freight, higher-density items will cost more to ship than lower density items, even if they weigh the same. The more space that your products take up on the truck trailer, the more you can expect to pay.

Does a Freight Service Act Like a Moving Company?

Simply put, no, they do not. You should never expect for the freight service to come into your place of business or home and pick up your freight and move it out into the truck trailer the way that a moving company moves your belongings out of the house and into the moving truck. Freight carriers only move cargo from one loading dock to another. However, if you pay for additional services, then they will perform them as requested and paid for.

Should the Cargo Be Insured?

If you are shipping any kind of valuable cargo, it is a good idea to insure it. Most freight carriers will offer limited liability coverage, but this coverage may not necessarily take care of the shipment's full value in the event of an accident. In addition, if you do not have your own insurance and something happens, you will need to be able to prove that the freight carrier was indeed liable, which may not be easy to do. One thing to remember is that all items cannot be covered by independent freight insurance. Therefore, before shipping something by freight, you should speak to an insurance company to find out whether your cargo is insurable.

For more information about freight shipping, contact a freight delivery service in your area like Messengers Inc to obtain quotes for your business.

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