Shipping Logistics
The fundamentals of transporting freight
Shipping logistics is just a fancy term for getting your merchandise from point
A to point B in the smoothest, most reliable way possible. Doing that involves input
from a number of parties, which could include yourself, a freight broker, a
freight forwarding company and finally, multiple shipping companies.
With so many hands on board, it’s a good idea to know what you’re getting into before
you ship. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from start to finish:
Preparing Cargo
The first step when shipping is to properly package the merchandise. There are two
options you can choose from:
- Professional services. Many freight and moving companies offer professional packing
services, guaranteeing the safe packaging of your goods.
- Do-it-yourself. Packing your items yourself can be a cost-saving measure, if you’re
willing to take on the effort. Some freight companies provide shipping supplies,
including sturdy shipping boxes or crates, cushioning materials and even shipping
labels.
Whichever route you choose, make sure your goods are secure and will be able to
hold up to handling and jostling.
Pickup
Depending on your freight shipping company, you may also have options when it comes
to parcel pickup.
Many companies offer parcel pickup at your doorstep, as an included feature or possibly
for a small fee. Companies who don’t offer this service will require you to bring
your cargo to a designated pickup location, where your parcel will be inspected,
sorted and possibly consolidated with other parcels to determine the best transit
route.
In Transit
Even though your parcel is now out of your hands, the shipment doesn’t have to be
– most companies have tracking services that allow you to follow your parcel’s
route via Internet or telephone services. Through the combination of GPS tracking
on vehicles and a unique barcode or tracking number that corresponds to your parcel,
your shipment can be traced at any time.
If your parcel is traveling via multiple modes of transport, you may be using a
freight forwarding service. If this is the case, the forwarding company will likely
handle details such as documentation and customs for you, but it never hurts to
stay on top of things. Contact your freight forwarder if you have any questions
about your shipment or transfers while your parcel is en route.
Delivery
The delivery stage is the final point in your shipping journey – it can be
either smooth sailing or complete chaos, depending on your planning. Remember, you
must have a designated person on hand at the delivery location to sign for the merchandise
and sign off on a condition inspection. The location itself depends on the services
of your shipping company – as in pick-up, doorstep drop-off may be provided,
or you may have to meet at a designated drop-off location.
This is just a brief outline of what you can expect when you ship cargo, but there
is no substitute for the advice of an experienced freight broker. Taking the time
to organize your shipment together can save you time, money and stress in the long
run.
For more tips on preparing to ship, including special conditions for shipping by
air or truck, see our Freight
Guide Info sheet.