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Please select one of the questions below: |
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What is the basic procedure for shipping freight?
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What types of freight items do you ship?
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How do I know what freight class my item is and how does this affect my shipment?
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What happens if I estimate the weight of my shipment?
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What are the freight rates & potential additional fees?
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Do I have to call the carrier after tendering my freight shipment with The Freight Rate Co.?
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Am I able to schedule a freight shipment and have it picked up the same day?
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Are transport shipping times guaranteed?
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What is expected of me when the truck driver arrives to pick up my freight cargo?
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What if I want to use my own shipping BOL (Bill of Lading)?
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Shipping Terminology (Glossary of Terms)
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Carriers utilize a standard procedure that involves the truck driver backing up
to a loading dock, the shipper (consignor) loading the cargo, the driver
transporting the cargo to the receivers (consignee) loading dock to be unloaded
by the consignee. Any services required outside of this standard procedure may
require additional rates called accessorials (see Rate & Potential Fees). |
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We do not handle shipping of items such as Household Goods, Furniture, Personal Items, and Alcohol types of products. |
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Class refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number that specifically identifies
each type of product that can be shipped by a carrier. This NMFC number must be accurate when inputting
The Freight Rate Co. rate inquiry and then must be entered again on the Bill of Lading (BOL)
This is imperative to be sure that you receive accurate pricing for what you are shipping.
Should the carrier suspect that the weight or class of your cargo is incorrect; they will re-weigh
and correctly re-class your load which will result in a reweigh and inspection fee.
If you do not know what class your freight is, please contact customer service at 866.366.1912 (M-F 8
am to 6 pm EST) or send us an
email.
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If your freight shipment is inaccurately weighed or classed and is re-weighed or re-classed by the carrier, these costs may be passed along to you. (See the e-Brary under Reweigh/Reclass). |
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To make certain that you receive the shipping freight rate that was quoted to you by The Freight Rate Co.
you must provide the truck driver with a copy of The Freight Rate Co. BOL (Bill of Lading). We have
contracts in place with national and regional carriers and to ensure that you receive the negotiated
rates and discounts, the carrier must know to bill The Freight Rate Co.
If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pick up or deliver a
load, additional fees will be assessed. The same holds true for liftgate service. When the shipper or
receiver does not have a loading dock, a motorized platform affixed to the back of some types of trucks
will be required to load and off-load the cargo.
Any failed shipping delivery attempt will be assessed a fee by the carrier; this charge is usually
minimal and based on the freight weight. If your shipment is not ready when the driver arrives, it will
be set up for pick up the next business day. If The Freight Rate Co. is charged for the duplicated
pick up, these costs will be passed along to you as well.
Additional shipping accessorials may include, but are not limited to: arrival notification,
inside delivery, insurance, liftgate service, COD, hazardous materials, fuel surcharge.
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Calling the shipping terminal or the freight carrier will duplicate the order. When you schedule with The Freight Rate Co.com, we contact the carrier and complete the transaction electronically. |
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Typically freight carriers pick up in the morning and deliver in the afternoon. Due to the load capacity of our carrier’s, same day service cannot be guaranteed. A four hour window prior to your dock closure is necessary. If you have same day pick up requirements, please contact The Freight Rate Co. to discuss these arrangements. |
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Please be aware that freight transit times do not include the day of pick up. Transport times are dependable, however, not guaranteed. |
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Be sure that your shipment is packaged so that the items are protected and secured. Boxed/crated and palletized shipments are optimal; secure the boxes/crates or items to the pallet with binding, strapping or shrink/stretch wrap. Labels must be placed on every piece or package and in the event that the pieces get separated it is best to include on the label the total pieces that comprise your shipment (ex: Box 1 of 3). It is imperative that The Freight Rate Co. bill of lading be given to the driver. The driver will not load or unload your items on to the truck. |
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Opting to use your own Shipping BOL will result in a $20.00 accessorial charge. |
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Accessorial
Any service that is not considered ‘standard’ will incur additional fees.
Accessorials may include, but are not limited to: arrival notification, inside delivery, insurance,
liftgate service, COD, hazardous materials, fuel surcharge.
Arrival Notification
Freight Carriers notifies and schedules a delivery date and time
with the receiver.
Shipping Bill of Lading (BOL)
Paperwork that provides the driver, carrier, shipper and receiver with complete details of the
shipment and correct billing information.
Carrier
Another name for the truck/trucking company who transports cargo.
Class
Refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number that specifically identifies the
approximate size, value and difficulty of transporting a particular type of product that can be shipped
by a carrier. Please contact customer service at 866.366.1912 during business hours if you are unsure or
are unable to determine your class.
Consignee
The person/company receiving the shipment.
Consignor
The person/company shipping the shipment.
Inside Delivery
When a driver is required to go beyond the front door or loading dock to pick up or deliver a load rather
than remaining in his/her truck or on the loading dock.
Liftgate Service
A liftgate is a motorized platform affixed to the back of some trucks that raises and lowers cargo between
the ground and the truck. When the shipping or receiving location does not have a loading dock, manual
loading or unloading is necessary. Accessorial fees will apply for this service.
LTL
Is an acronym for Less-Than-Load, meaning cargo that is not of the quantity to require an entire
truckload (TL) by itself. Typically, an LTL shipment ranges from 100 lbs to 20,000 lbs.
If you require a TL, please contact customer service at 866.366.1912 during business hours.
NMFC Number
See “class” above.
PRO Number
You will see a space for the truck driver to affix the ‘PRO sticker’ on your bill of lading. This is
simply a tracking number assigned by the carrier to reference your shipment.
Redelivery Fee
A fee that will be assessed by the carrier after any failed delivery attempt. Typically this fee is
minimal and based on weight.
Reweigh/Reclass Fee
If the carrier suspects that the weight or class of your shipment is inaccurate, a fee will be charged
to re-weigh or correctly re-class your cargo.
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