Are you aware that freight shipping can save time and money for first-time and casual shippers? A reputable shipping company has a network of carriers, exclusive discounts, and insurance options that give shippers a hassle-free experience. In this article, we will see a few tips for first time shippers.

Pro Shipping Tips For First-time Shippers:

Let us simplify your first encounter with our seven pro shipping tips.

Make The Right Choice:

It doesn’t matter how often you’ve used shipping services; if you need to ship an oversized shipment, it comes under the category of freight. You don’t necessarily need to be a high-volume shipper to take advantage of freight shipping. If you have a load weighing more than a hundred pounds, you can ship it through a freight shipper.

Freight Shipment Packing:

Packing is a crucial requirement for any load. They should be adequately packaged to be shipped securely. Whenever packaging an item, you need to ensure that they don’t bounce and stay in place if you shake your things. Cardboard boxes are not your only option. There are other options like crates and pallets that you can work with.

Weight And Dimensions:

Obtaining the quotations seems like a tricky part for most. We assure you it isn’t as tough. You need to know the actual weight and dimensions of your cargo. The packing material weight should be included in the total weight.

Ideally, it would help to weigh your shipment after being packaged fully. If you don’t measure the weight and dimensions correctly, it can add to your final bill.

Understand The Paperwork:

You need to go through the entire paperwork as a first-timer carefully. If you provide a bill of lading with a quote number to your driver, this is the best way to get your quoted price. In the case of cross-border shipments, you need to hand over the commercial invoices to the carrier at the dispatch time. Sometimes these documents are required before the loading process begins.

Be Ready For Delivery:

When preparing your shipment, pay special attention to the identification of your shipment. The correct information needs to be put on the paperwork and the load. This avoids any confusion as to who the shipment is going to.

Partner With A 3PL:

For a first time shipper, it is already a complex process. So, having the right 3PL partner makes your experience a better one from the start. The expert shipping agents can guide you step-by-step through your first shipment.

Tracking Your Freight:

Different companies use different tracking methods for their shipments. Some companies offer real-time updates. It will help if you choose a carrier that provides the best tracking solutions that you’re comfortable with. If you are sending out multiple pieces of cargo, they should not be separated while transporting.

FAQs:

Q1-What is the shipper’s responsibilities?

Some of their responsibilities include:

• Determining a method of shipment, preparing bills and invoices, and other paperwork.
• Prepare the cargo for shipment by packaging it and labeling it with instructions. 
• Oversee the loading/unloading processes on the trucks and trailers. 

Q2-What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a shipper?

In terms of responsibility, freight brokers pay carriers, but those carriers are still responsible to the shipper for their transport items. The forwarder is answerable to the shipper with freight forwarders, who hires the carrier.

Conclusion:

Shipping your very first cargo load may seem daunting to you. But, with the proper knowledge and information, you can ace through the process. We hope the tips we provided will help you through your first shipment.

Also Read: How To Minimize The Potential Of Damaged Freight?