Every day the roads are filled with trucks moving things from one place to another. Boats and planes are also loaded down with freight that is heading somewhere in the world. People and businesses depend on being able to get the things they want and that means they need to rely on freight shipping services. Big businesses may be able to operate their own services, but individuals and smaller businesses have to depend on the companies that can do it for them. For people who are planning on using a freight shipper, these are some of the things that they need to be aware of.
- Many Freight Companies are only Agents – When looking for a company to ship freight, many people rely on shipping agents. These agents do not have any of the transportation equipment. They simply act as middlemen between the person needing the shipping services and the company that will do the shipping. The agent will arrange for the different modes of shipping along with all of the paperwork to make sure there are no delays in shipping.
- There is a lot of paperwork required – While some shipments require a minimal amount of paperwork, there are others that can become a bureaucratic nightmare. Shipping that crosses international borders or that involves a certain type of cargo can require additional paperwork. If the paperwork is improperly filled out or missing, the shipments can be delayed or confiscated.
- Different modes of transportation – There are a few different ways that freight shipping services move the shipments. Truck, rail, planes and ships are the most commonly used. Some shipments will require a combination of services such as shipping by boat. A truck may be required to get the shipment to the boat and from the boat to its final destination.
- Costs Vary – The price that a freight shipper charges can vary widely. In part, it is dependent on the type of transportation that is used, the size of the shipment and the distance that it is being shipped. Shipping internationally can add more costs to the final price. Many shipping companies will provide a free quote for any shipping that is being planned.
- It Takes Time – Shipping can take time. Smaller shipments are often combined and some shippers will wait until they have a full load before they start moving anything. Shipping by air can be the fastest, but any type of shipping can have delays due to weather, time of year and even because the shipment will sit in a warehouse for a few weeks. A good shipping service will provide an estimated time of delivery.