Best practices when shipping or receiving freight

SHIPPING AND RECEIVING TIPS
BEST PRACTICES - WHEN SHIPPING & RECEIVING FREIGHT Take these tips and advice to heart and you should experience better, trouble free, freight moves. Terms: BOL = Bill of Lading Pallet = hard wood base that supports freight cartons WHEN SHIPPING 1. Use standard pallets 48” x 40”, of sturdy oak or other hardwood. 2. Discard or repair any pallets that have missing slats or nails, or ‘wobbles’. 3. Put your products in sturdy cartons and secure the cartons to the skid with strong straps. 4. Multiple loose cartons are best handled when palletized, and not shipped loose. 5. All cartons should also have shipper / consignee labeling affixed. 6. Consider wrapping your pallet and strapped cartons with a CLEAR shrink wrap film. 7. Make sure, if possible that the cartons are distributed so that the pallet is in balance. 8. Use a pallet jack or forklift to move the pallet, checking for balance and sturdiness. 9. Insure that no cartons overhang the pallets as this is a major cause of freight damage. 9.1 You should have a shipping scale to weigh your freight. This is important in order to get an accurate $$ rate from Logistxs. Your freight includes the weight of the pallet. If a heavy weight shipping scale is not available, use a home scale and weight each carton individually. Add up all the carton weights plus 50 lbs for the pallet. Make sure this weight is reflected on the BOL. If there is a different weight on the BOL, notify Logistxs immediately, as charges MAY increase. 10. If your freight is sensitive to temperature (freezing or heat), CALL Logistxs to discuss. 11. Make sure that no barcodes (other than your own) are visible by pallet handling equipment. 12. Add your shipping label(s) to the pallet, make it large, clear, and waterproof. It is also recommended that you also label each carton on the pallet. If the strapping were to break and any carton(s) become loose, warehouse personnel will know where the carton(s) belong. 13. Two labels are better than one on the outside wrapping of the pallets. 14. Make sure that your BOL (Bill of Lading) has ALL of the correct information clearly present. 15. Make sure that Logistxs knows your correct shipping hours. 16. If this shipment is critical, tell Logistxs to guarantee the pickup (higher rate applies) 17. Watch the clock, if you are approaching your closing time and no driver has called, call Logistxs to determine a more precise pick up time, refer to our PRO# at the top of the BOL. Don't wait until the last minute to call us. 18. In MOST cases, YOU will be loading the truck, when the carrier arrives. 19. Show the driver the freight, as it will need to be inspected before loading. 20. The driver may make notes on the BOL, this is acceptable. 21. Insure that the pallet(s) loaded MATCH the pallet count written on the BOL. 22. Have a look at the van, before loading the freight, look for loose floor boards, dirty van, water leaks, or any previously loaded freight that may not look travel worthy or tipsy. Bring this to the driver’s attention if an issue is discovered. Take cell phone photos if necessary. Send them to your Logistxs contact. Take a final look on the dock to insure all freight has been loaded. 23. After the freight has been loaded, make sure the tailgate doors are tightly closed. 24. Keep a legible copy of the signed - Bill of Lading. 25. For security purposes, if possible, make a note of driver trailer number & plate number. 26. Notify your consignee and Logistxs that the freight has tendered to the carrier. 27. Save the Bill of Lading until you are certain that your freight has been received in good condition. WHEN RECEIVING 1. When the truck arrives and opens the tailgate door, notice the interior condition of the van, looking for water leaks, toppled freight, loose floor boards, dirty or smelly. You can note this on the BOL. 2. The driver will point out your freight as described on the BOL 3. Carefully enter the van and remove your freight. 4. Set down your freight on the loading dock, and compare your freight to the BOL description. 5. CAFEFULLY inspect your freight BEFORE you sign the BOL. 6. Examine for shifted cartons, punctures or tears in the wrapping or cartons, or wet stains. 7. If anything of concern is discovered, carefully and legibly make notes on the BOL. 8. TAKE PHOTOS OF ANY DAMAGE. 9. We recommend that you do not refuse freight that has been damaged, as transportation charges are due whether or not the freight has been damaged. 10. NOTIFY Logistxs, if possible, before the driver leaves, of the damage. We will start a claim. 11. Sign the BOL, make sure signatures & initialing is clear and in place and keep a copy. ***** These tips provided by John Lavin at Logistxs.
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Physically: Logistxs Inc. 1500 Rt 517 - STE 305 Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Corporate: 908-852-8875 Main Fax Line: 908-279-8468	Digitally: www.Logistxs.com *Quotes for NEW Orders:* Truck Load (FTL), Partial Load (LTL), Refrigerated, Flatbed, Oversized, Heavy-Haul: Ops@Logistxs	Verbally: Corporate: 908-852-8875 Accounting Dept: x1001 Sales & Marketing: 1008 Alcohol & Bev: x1006 Existing Orders OR DAMAGE Truck Load Orders: x1002 Damage: 1001

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