Freight Packing Tips

Packaging your freight is one of the most important aspects of the shipping experience. Bad freight packaging can mean damaged freight, time-consuming claims, additional reclass fees, and an overall bad customer experience. Which is why it is important to take the time in using the best freight packaging practices to protect the items in transit. Improper packaging can come undone during transportation, loading, and unloading. Freight packaging whether it is for LTL or truckload, is just as important as getting the best shipping quote or selecting the correct freight class.

The first step in correctly packaging your freight it to understand what type of packaging your shipment needs. You will need to measure and weigh your cargo to get an accurate quote and idea of how to ship your freight. If your dimensions are inaccurate, your freight may not fit in a truck, and you also may be subject to a rebill due to weight & dimensions changes by the carriers. Other factors to consider are the handling and storability of your freight. Carriers will likely charge more if your shipment is fragile or requires special equipment such as a temperature-controlled trailer. These factors can also impact the type of packaging that is needed to move your freight.

When trying to decide how to package your freight you must also think about what will be most efficient to move while also protecting your freight from any type of damage. The two most popular types of packaging are pallets and crates. Both protect your shipment from damage, speed up the loading and unloading process, and allow carriers to maximize space inside a trailer.

Effectively packaging your shipments will keep not only your customers happy when the freight arrives, but it keeps the carriers happy as well. Having a shipment with precise dimensions and packaging keeps the pickup, loading, and unloading processes short and effective. If you are unsure about what steps to take when packaging your freight, contact us at Performance Plus. We understand logistics and the shipping industry. We can help your business find the best rates and options to get your freight to its destination safely and on time.