Expedited Shipping Essay

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You need to send your freight quickly but don’t want to pay for expedited freight – it’s a dilemma all shippers face. Many companies rely on Fast_Freight_Moves.jpgexpedited shipping, but, with some simple operational changes, you can contain transportation costs and meet service expectations at the same time.

Expedited shipping services are a sure way to consistently provide high service levels, and in some scenarios it makes sense to pay extra for fast delivery, but expedited shipping will quickly blow a hole in your transportation budget.

So, how can you improve shipping speed without paying extra for expedited services? Follow these 5 tips:
Standardize Dock Procedures. Truck drivers are often forced to wait a few hours at a loading dock because companies aren’t ready to load or unload freight. You can speed up the shipping process by preparing freight for loading before a truck arrives and by ensuring crews are ready to load/unload freight when a truck is scheduled to pick up or drop off. Standardizing dock procedures will cut a driver’s wait time …show more content…

Use a small number of carriers for regular lanes and inform carriers of your schedule. This way, carriers can schedule accordingly and you can request the same driver per lane. Using preferred drivers allows them to become familiar with your origin facility, the route, the freight being hauled and the destination facility. This will improve service and speed by reducing delays due to mishandled freight or truck drivers taking slower or wrong routes.
Ensure All Information is Correct. Double checking your bill of lading (BOL) only takes a minute and could save you a lot of time. Misinformation about the weight, density or classification of freight can have financial consequences – not only in fines but in lost time due to carriers reweighing, reclassifying or refusing to carry mislabeled freight. Accurate BOLs ensure your freight won’t incur fines and will be carried and delivered

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