The Most Common Mistakes Made in Freight Shipping in Beaumont, TX

Freight shipping can be complicated sometimes, especially if you’re shipping particularly unusual items. It’s not uncommon for there to be costly mistakes made during the process, even if you’re working with an extremely experienced shipping company.

For this reason, it’s important for you to be aware of some of these mistakes and how you can avoid them. Here’s a quick overview of some of these mistakes that can arise during the process of freight shipping in Beaumont, TX:

• Transit time errors: All freight carrier transit times are estimates—it’s important to remember that there can be variations due to factors such as traffic, weather and unforeseen mechanical issues that arise during the trip. Therefore, it’s important for you to schedule your shipments as soon as possible so you can make sure you leave plenty of time for a prompt delivery. This is especially important for time-sensitive deliveries—if you wait until the last minute, there is much less room for error for the shipping company, and that means there’s a higher likelihood of a delay causing your shipment to be late. The best way to solve this problem is by being on the ball with your orders.
• Improper packaging: One of the biggest reasons pieces of freight get damaged is because it was not packaged correctly. Keep in mind that different types of items will need different kinds (and amounts) of packaging. Fragile glass, for example, needs much more sophisticated packaging than lumber. Make sure the freight is secured on a carton or pallet or inside of a crate. If you’re using a pallet, make sure you don’t overload it with packages. Instead, use interlocking or column stacks for better stability and compression strength.
• Mistakes on a bill of lading (BOL): The BOL is perhaps the most important document you’ll have to deal with when you’re engaged in freight shipping. You must make sure it is completely accurate, as carriers will examine it very closely and may decide to inspect your freight. You should never use approximations for the weight, or guess as to its freight class—this could result in you incurring fines and reclassification charges. All the correct billing information should also be on this document. Double and triple check this form for accuracy.
• Failure to follow standard procedures for receiving freight: Any freight that companies receive at their location must be inspected before the shipment takes off, in case there are any shortages or damages. It is the receiving facility’s responsibility to carefully inspect the exterior appearance of all of these pieces before signing a receipt of delivery. If the inspector finds any issues, it is his or her responsibility to also document those issues in detail on the delivery receipt, and take pictures to verify the damage.

For more information about some of the most common mistakes made during freight shipping in Beaumont, TX, we encourage you to contact Aztec Marine Agencies, Inc. today with any questions you have. We look forward to working with you!

Categorised in: Freight Shipping