LTL Library

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The following issues may affect whether contract carriers decide to adjust the price. 

Extreme Length fee.

Shipments longer than 12 feet are subject to these fees. Make sure to factor in the additional length when requesting a quote.

Liftgate.

For shipments over 100 pounds or 72 inches in height, or if the pick-up and drop-off locations lack accessible docks, a truck with a liftgate may be necessary. 

Limited delivery access.

An adjustment may be applied if the pick-up or drop-off location has limited access for carriers and was not included in the original quote. Limited access can include businesses open to the public or locations where loading or unloading assistance is unavailable. 

Residential fees.

Typically, this adjustment applies when a shipment is picked up from or delivered to a residence or business that is not publicly marked and was not considered in the original quote. Be sure to list the business name accurately on the bill of lading. 

Reclass.

If the freight/NMFC class used for the quote differs from the actual class of the items being shipped, a reclassification charge is likely to be applied. 

Bill of lading changes.

Adjustments may apply if there are changes to the bill of lading that affect the details originally used to calculate the freight quote. 

• Estes - 72Lx48Wx82H // Max 3000# 
• Forward - Max 600# for residential 
• GLS - 4ft x 7ft x 8ft // 2000#
• Pitt Ohio - 48x40x72 // Max 2500# 
• ABF - 48-52 x 84-88 x 96 // Max 3000lbs
• Central - 60x60x60 // Max 2500#
• STG (most terminals) - 65x60x86 // Max 1500#
• STG (Miami Terminal) - 65x60x86 // Max 1200#
• Total Transportation - 40x48x60 // 1200#
• Tforce - 72x72x72 // Max 2500# 
• XPO - 54Wx42 // Max 2500# 
• RL - 48Dx76W // Max 3000#
• Roadrunner- 60” x 80” x 90” // Max 2000# (some of our affiliates may have different dimensions and weight)
• SAIA - 79Lx60W // Max 5000#
• SEFL - 60Lx48Wx72H

Below is a list of locations that should be designated as Limited Access. It’s important to know where the Consignee is located, as often, when we inquire, “Is the location Limited Access?” the person we are talking to may not be familiar with the term. We are expected to be the experts in this matter! A general rule of thumb is that if the location is not a business situated in an industrial area, it is likely to be Limited Access. Additionally, homes are always considered Residential/Non-Commercial, even if a business is run from the home. Keep in mind that not all carriers charge the same rates for Limited Access and Residential/Non-Commercial locations, so it’s crucial to select the correct accessorial.

• Airports
• Amusement Parks
• Bars or Nightclub
• Camps
• Carnivals or Fairs
• Cemeteries
• Chautauquas, Churches, Mosques,  Synagogues, or Temples
• Colleges and Universities
• Construction Sites, Job Sites
• Convents
• Casino
• Courthouses
• Daycares
• Exhibition Halls
• Fairs
• Farms or Ranches
• Fire Department
• Funeral Homes
• Golf Courses, Country Clubs
• Hospitals
• Hotels or Motels
• Indian Reservations
• Libraries
• Malls
• Marina
• Medical/Urgent care sites
• Military Bases/Installations
• Mines, Quarries, Natural Gas or Oil      Fields
• Nuclear Power Plants
• Outdoor Flea Markets
• Parks
• Police Stations
• Prisons, Correctional Facilities
• Resorts
• Restaurants
• Retirement/Nursing Homes
• Schools/Universities
• Storage Units (whether individual or      multi-storage)
• Sanctuaries/Reservations
• Zoos

Opting for “Guaranteed Standard Service” (GSS) on your LTL shipment provides peace of mind for time-sensitive deliveries. To guarantee the shipment with a carrier, you agree to pay an additional fee in exchange for a commitment to deliver by a specific time and date. If the carrier fails to meet the agreed delivery time, they will waive the additional charge. Keep the following points in mind before proceeding: 

Using the correct BOL is a must! 

It is crucial for the shipper to use the correct BOL for guaranteed shipments, ensuring that it includes the specific date and time the shipment is guaranteed in the "Special Instructions."

For example, the BOL might state "Guaranteed Noon Delivery by Friday, January 17th" or "Guaranteed 5pm Delivery by Thursday, January 16th." If this type of statement is not clearly written on the BOL, the shipment cannot be considered officially guaranteed.

A guaranteed shipment does not include a guaranteed pickup. 

The transit time for a guaranteed delivery begins once the shipment is picked up. For example, if Monday is the pickup day and you want a 2-day guarantee for Wednesday delivery, any missed pickup on Monday will cause the delivery to shift to Thursday. Carriers will not void charges for missed pickups. 

A guarantee does not offer a 100% assurance. 

A guaranteed shipment means the carrier will make every effort to deliver your shipment on time, but it is not a foolproof assurance. If the carrier fails to deliver as promised, you’ll be reimbursed for the additional cost of the guaranteed service, but you will typically still be responsible for the remaining shipping fees. 

There are certain exceptions to what can be guaranteed. 

GSS is not available for deliveries to residential areas or limited access locations, nor is it offered for shipments that require delivery appointments or notifications.

There are two types of guaranteed shipments:

• Guaranteed      Noon Delivery Service (GSS12): Delivery is guaranteed by noon on the      scheduled date. 
• Guaranteed Standard Delivery Service (GSS5 or GSDS): Delivery is guaranteed by 5pm on the scheduled date.
  
   

A guaranteed shipment is different from an expedited shipment. With guaranteed shipments, the transit days are the same as a standard LTL shipment, while expedited shipments require an extra fee for faster delivery than the usual transit time. 

Expedited shipping is one of the key freight services we provide at FreightPros, but we've noticed that some people may not fully grasp the different approaches we use. In this article, we’re going to explain the essentials of expedited shipping for LTL, Truckload, and Intermodal. 

As stated above, if you choose expedited shipping, you will need to pay for the service. Air freight is the fastest way to move goods. Additionally, hot shot carriers offer another expedited option, available when you urgently need freight picked up. 

Shipping to or from a residential area requires specific additional services on the Bill of Lading.

Residential Delivery and Pick-Up Services

For residential shipments, three extra services are necessary: residential delivery, destination lift gate, and an appointment.

Unless otherwise indicated, these services are typically required together. If the customer has the means to unload the shipment, the lift gate service can be removed. Additionally, if the freight is too large for a lift gate, this service will not be needed.

You will need to put the following disclaimer for any pallet that is over 72 inches long, when sending a quote or BOL: 

"Your shipment includes an oversized item/pallet (over 72" in length and/or width), which may not be unloadable using a lift gate."

It is up to the carrier to assess whether the lift gate can be used safely for unloading, based on the conditions at both the shipper's and receiver's locations. 

The responsibility for ensuring safe unloading lies with the shipper or receiver.

Unishippers and our carrier partners are not responsible for any delays or extra charges resulting from complications related to lift gate requests on oversized shipments.

Residential Pick-Ups

For residential pick-ups, two additional services are required: residential pick-up and origin lift gate.

•  Palletization      is generally required for most freight items. Pallets, which are movable      platforms used to package and secure items, come in several sizes, with      the 40 x 48 standard pallet being the most commonly used. Pallets are      vital for protecting your freight, and crating may be an alternative when      shipping fragile or easily damaged items. Palletizing your freight is      crucial for several reasons:
• Pallets      offer protection for your shipment during the entire transit process,      including loading and unloading.
• Pallets      help the carrier load and unload your freight more quickly and easily.
• Pallets      allow the carrier to better utilize available trailer space.

When preparing your shipment on a pallet, it’s important to securely fasten your items to the pallet and verify that everything is balanced and properly positioned. The recommended methods for securing items to a pallet are strapping and shrink wrapping.

When using straps, make sure to apply at least two and loop them through the forks of the pallet. Tighten or ratchet the straps to ensure the items are firmly secured.

Shrink wrapping is a widely used technique for securing shipments to pallets. Depending on the size of the shipment, at least five complete wraps around the pallet and shipment should be made, ensuring the entire load feels like a unified piece.

Lastly, before pick-up, inspect your shipment and make sure your items are still firmly in place and have not shifted. 

Crush Cones and Fragile Shipments

In addition to securely fastening fragile items to a pallet, crush cones are an effective tool to prevent other items from being stacked on top of your freight. These small, typically triangular cones can be easily attached to the top of the shipment using straps or packing tape to signal the carrier that the load should not be stacked.

Protecting Fragile Items

Besides properly securing fragile shipments to a pallet, using crush cones is a simple yet effective way to indicate to the carrier that stacking other freight on top should be avoided. These small, often triangular-shaped cones can be affixed to the top of your shipment with straps or packing tape.

Direct Carriers Only

Select the Extra Service and note "Protect from Freeze" in the second address field for both the shipper and consignee, along with any relevant special instructions.

We need to contact the carrier to ensure that they are processing PFF shipments that week and follow up with a call on the pick-up day.

Shipments must be picked up and delivered within the same week, and transit should not extend over the weekend. Schedule pick-ups for Monday or Tuesday.

Future PFF shipments should be marked as "pending PFF" on the pick-up report.

Example:

For a customer or vendor requesting a PFF shipment on a Thursday with a 3-day transit, the pick-up must occur the following Monday.

(Most PFF shipments, unless they have a short transit time, need to be picked up early in the week.)

R+L Carriers has made a change to their rules tariff for their restricted and prohibited items. Section 3 (cigarettes and tobacco products) has been updated, and section 4 (hemp and marijuana) has been added. Please see below for details. 

Item 780, Section 3: CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

The following commodities will not be accepted for shipment: Any vaping products or accessories. Cigarettes and tobacco products will be delivered to New York State only when shipped to a New York State (1) licensed cigarette tax agent, wholesale dealer or registered retail dealer, (2) an export warehouse proprietor or an operator of a customs bonded warehouse, or (3) person who is an officer, employee or agent of the United States government, New York State or a department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or New York State, acting in accordance with his or her official duties.  Cigarettes and tobacco products will be delivered from New York State to another state only when shipped from a New York State licensed cigarette tax agent or when a customer verifies that New York State cigarette tax has been prepaid and pre-collected.  The shipper is solely responsible for compliance with any applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, which may vary from state to state.

Item 780, Section 4: HEMP AND MARIJUANA

All Hemp and Marijuana related products including synthetic cannabinoids and cannabidiol oil (“CBD”) for any use including recreational and medical; any product that contains any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”).

Updated 1/13/25
Most of our LTL carrier partners do not handle any products which contain THC, CBD, Hemp or Kratom along with Vape or any Vape related products. These products are listed within their Do Not Haul/Restricted & Prohibited Items. Tendering shipments containing these products to LTL carriers that do not haul them will cause disruptions, including delays and additional costs.

We’ve noticed an increase in shipments containing these products being tendered to LTL carriers that do not haul them. These shippers tend to use a wide variety of vague descriptions of their products to start under the radar.  

Below is a list of LTL carriers that will handle these types of products. Please educate customers to only use the carriers listed below and remove any other LTL carriers as options to avoid issues in transit.

Approved Carriers

• Dayton Freight
• Dugan Freight
• Oak Harbor
• Old Dominion
• Saia