Shipping freight is achievable in many ways, but the many modes of transportation available don’t negate the fact that mistakes can hinder the shipping experience. Of course, not every mistake is one you have to learn the hard way. Today, we will provide you with three common mistakes to avoid when transporting freight shipments. Become familiar with the mistakes below to keep your shipments efficient and intact.
Lacking Protective Packaging
Poor packaging design can ruin products during shipment, which can both annoy the customer and result in a send-back, along with a refund. This is why anyone trying to ship cargo domestically or internationally should carefully choose their packaging design, including what’s inside the container.
For instance, a sturdy box with sufficient padding, such as foam or bubble wrap, will prevent goods from moving around and breaking during transportation. This doesn’t just relate to individual packages—pallets need to be wrapped and secured properly to keep bulk items intact during their journey. If you notice an uptick in customer send-backs for damaged goods, take a closer look at your cargo to see if a lack of secure packaging is the issue.
Providing Inaccurate Shipping Information
Whether you’re shipping to a business or an individual buyer, customers expect their deliveries to arrive at the address they provided. That said, inaccurate shipping information can send those packages to the wrong addresses.
Cargo weight, freight class, shipping date, and other critical details can also be overlooked in the wrong hands. Always encourage inspections in your shipping pipeline to ensure each step is handled with care and precision.
Not Working With Logistics Experts
One way to avoid logistical errors during freight transportation is to work with a reliable 3PL. Doing so will give you more peace of mind knowing that the bill of lading and more critical data will be dealt with correctly.
The phrase 3PL is one of the most important freight shipping acronyms for businesses to know because it pertains to experts who will oversee your shipments and organize them in a way that ensures efficient, secure transportation. Thanks to this walkthrough of the most common mistakes to avoid when transporting freight shipments, you can carefully plan each shipment with a more observant, detail-oriented approach.