Shipping Guide
Certain responsibilities lie with the shipper for all LTL and TL shipments. These responsibilities apply across the board with all freight carrier companies. Proper packaging of the shipping case, address labeling, shipment loading and unloading, and proper shipment documents (BOL provided to you by the shipping company) are required by all carriers and are the responsibility of the shipper. These are things that a shipping agent will assist a person with and shipping cases can provide some resourceful ideas on packaging and other need-to-know info.

Packaging

Packaging, in most cases, will be the main protection (insurance) against shipment damage (unless factory new/factory packed). All the insurance in the world won't protect an improperly packaged shipment from damage. The main thing to remember is to use good judgment when selecting a shipping case for an item for shipment. Delicate items should be packed on a stable base and covered in a way to eliminate exposure to scratching or dinging. Crating, pallets, and heavy gauge cardboard should be considered for delicate items.   Heavier, tougher items (like a cast iron stove, for example) wouldn't need to be packed so carefully, but mobility must still be kept in mind. A shipper's best judgment applies to packaging all the many millions of items currently being shipped across America. Shipping Cases Now's agents are available to assist their customers through the entire shipment process, from the moment they decide to ship until their shipment reaches its destination.

Address Labeling

Proper address labeling is not that big of an issue; anyone who has ever mailed anything through the US Postal Service knows how to properly label a shipment. It's as simple as where it is coming from and where it is going to.   Make sure the shipping cases are properly labeled.  When shipping to a trade show make sure to include the booth number.

Shipment Loading and Unloading

Shipment loading and unloading is also the responsibility of the shipper. When using commercial or terminal locations with a loading dock, this is not an issue. But for residential pickup and/or delivery this is a detail to be considered. In many cases a shipper may want to plan on having friends, relatives, or neighbors on standby to help with the loading and unloading. In some cases additional services such as lift gate may be required, but the additional costs are to be considered. Always remember a "truck driver" does just what the title implies: drive the truck. The driver is never responsible for loading or unloading, although under reasonable circumstances they may help.

Shipping Documents

Proper shipping documents, presented to the driver at the point of origin, are also the responsibility of the shipper. These documents, along with simple instructions, will be made available to the shipper by their shipping agent.