How To Lower Expenses On Freight Shipping

26 January 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Share

There are varying elements of transportation that affect the total amount charged for shipping goods by any mode. The details involved in planning and executing freight operations can be overwhelming, and many details are overlooked, which leads to higher than necessary expenses. Here are some money-saving tips to apply to your next shipment.

Consolidating Cargo

As the weight of the shipment becomes higher, the rates charged for transportation become lower. This means that consolidating your cargo is the easiest way to make savings for your business. Basically, when you compare the cumulative rate for transporting two packages with that of a single one and the total weight is the same, the latter will cost less. Coordination and diligent planning may be required to successfully accomplish the task, but the savings will be significant.

Ship To Commercial Locations

Shipping to commercial locations is considerably cheaper than the residential alternatives. This is challenging for business operations that are carried out from home. The higher charges are attributed to the fact that navigating the roads to a residential neighborhood is normally difficult. If you cannot find a reliable business to receive your shipment, consider having the goods delivered to a terminal by the freight carrier. You can pick up the cargo in your own vehicle if the total weight is not too high. This will save you the heavy fee associated with residential deliveries.

Clarify The Bill Of Lading

The initial bill of lading specifies the weight and freight class of the good according to the quote given to the client. It is important for you to ask for clarification before the goods are picked up to avoid unexpected charges. If the goods are found to weigh differently after they are carried to the freight carrier's hub, the shipment will be reclassed, and this will mean that the final cost will be higher.

Avoid Surcharges On Packing

Like in the freight class specification, the packaging also has to be evaluated to determine if changes are necessary. Repackaging of the goods will mean that the freight carrier will surcharge for the extra service given. This mostly happens when the shipment consists of delicate items and the risk of breakage or other damage is high. To avoid this situation, consider utilising pallets and crates for all your shipping needs.

When you plan ahead, you will remember all the details and coordinate your freight transportation requirements effectively. You can also engage a third-party professional planner to help you organise your cargo with advanced efficiency.

For more information, contact a business such as Jayde Transport.