Shipping freight can be a daunting task. There are uncertainties ranging from understanding types of packages to the logistics of delivery. GoShip makes shipping easy by connecting people and carriers with extra truck space. To avoid unnecessary worry, costs, and inconvenience, we’ve developed a list of 4 tips on how to ship.

Tip #1 

Accuracy is key - it’s essential to provide accurate information about your freight. We ask for the exact dimensions and weight to define a class for your package. By providing accurate information, will save you the hassle of changing your shipment type and truck drivers will know what to expect when picking up your shipment.

Shipping rates are calculated by a combination of dimensions, weight, and other factors. Correct information about our cargo will give you the most affordable options that are suited for your shipment. If you need us, we're here to help.

Tip #2 

Proper Packaging - protects contents from damage. This begins with choosing the correct container for your contents. Never exceed the container’s maximum gross weight for your chosen container. Proper packaging can reduce damage to both your shipments and others in the truck.

Damage protection – whether you are shipping fragile contents or not, every package should have some form of damage protection. Packages can be damaged through a variety of factors such as dropping, compression, temperature changes, humidity, and air pressure. With all these risks, here are some preventative measures to save your package:

• Cushioning – to protect the insides of your package, cushioning’s the answer. If you’re shipping multiple goods inside one package, think about using box-in-box packaging or individually wrapping each item. This will save more space than shipping multiple packages and can reduce costs and damage.
• Minimize empty space – the better fit the container is for the goods shipped, the less room there is for “rattling” of your contents. Moral of the story: minimize the empty space.
• Quality packing materials – the quality of your box, cushioning, and packing tape matter. Be sure to inspect the quality of all before shipping your package

LTL drivers will not provide straps for shipments to strap items to the pallet/handling unit.  It is the responsibility of the shipper to prepare the shipment for the rigors of travel (shrink wrap, strapping, edge protectors, cushioning, etc.).  Once the shipment is on the trailer, the driver will secure the pallet/handling unit to the trailer as required for safe travel.

Stacking on a pallet? Pallets are a great space saver for shipments. However, they do little good if the weight of the contents isn’t distributed evenly. Heavier packages can be placed in the middle of pallets or on opposing corners of other heavier packages.

When packing your pallet, stack each package as close as possible. Basically, each layer of packages should be as similar in dimension as possible. Finally, make sure nothing is hanging off the pallet and the pallet is not stacked too high.

Tip #3

Shipment Labeling – labels never lie. Or at least that’s what we’re told. To ensure correct delivery, your shipment will need to be labeled appropriately. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Remove old labels
• Always place a label at the top of the box
• Use only one address label (to avoid confusion)
• Create a duplicate label and place it inside the package for more protection

Tip #4

Handling Shipping and Receiving – when providing information about the origin and destination of your package, be as detailed as possible. Tell us exactly where it’s going, if there are any special delivery requests and the point of contact for the pickup and delivery. Also, don’t forget to mention if the shipping points have loading docks or if liftgates are required. If you’re unsure about your shipping and receiving needs, we can fix that.