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:

1. Professional services. Many freight and moving companies offer professional packing services, guaranteeing the safe packaging of your goods.

2. 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.

Pick-Up

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.