Unlike small parcel shipping via USPS, Fed EX, UPS and DHL, shipping freight yields a much higher likelihood of damage. The common misconception is that packaging is not required, or minimally required. With Roadway Express, ask customer service about the packaging requirements for the type of freight you’re shipping. The terminal that picks up the item may refuse to pickup if the packaging is not up to standard. They do this to avoid freight claims and the potential of damaging your item. Trucking companies don’t want items to get damaged, so packaging guidelines are in place to prevent damage whenever possible.
The #1 reason for denial of freight damage claims is IMPROPER PACKAGING.
At a minimum your item should be secured to a wooden pallet. The pallet should be a minimum of 4” larger than the item secured to it on all sides. Yellow Freight loads and unloads their trailers with forklifts and pallet jacks. Sometimes a dock worker will try to slide the lift truck forks under and item not mounted on a pallet which causes damage in most cases. Should this cause damage, the carrier will yell “improper packaging” and accept no responsibility for the damage. When freight is loaded into a truck it will shift and move around slightly while going down the road. By using a pallet should your item shift the pallet will in most cases prevent or reduce damage.
Tags: shipping freight
