Here at ShippingDiscounts.com, we help customers ship all kinds of items, from the everyday to the exotic. If you’re new to freight shipping, you might not know that every item, from pet food to ice cream mixers, has a freight class assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association.

In order to give you phenomenal discounts on your LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping, we need to know your freight class. In general, the less dense the goods, the higher the freight class, and the greater the cost of shipping. If you’re ready to ship but you don’t know your class, our experts can help you.

Here some common (and less common) items and their freight classes:

Peanut Butter Class 60

Automobile Engines Class 85

Game Consoles Class 150

Aerosol Cans Class 250

Sometimes we’re asked to ship an unusual item for which we don’t know the class. Our staffers call this “The Freight Class Game.” Today, we played the game with a customer who ships fortune cookies.  The office winner was Lacy who nailed it, knowing the class was 200.  If you have something to ship and don’t know the class, please give us a call and we will be happy to find it out for you and give you a low cost, accurate freight quote.

When Should I Ship Parcel? And When Should I Use A Carrier?

If your items weigh under 150 lbs, you can ship your items with a parcel carrier. If your package or packages weigh more than 150 lbs you will need to ship with a common carrier. Less Than Truckload (LTL) Carriers will transport shipments weighing between 100-10,000 lbs. If your shipment weighs more than 8,000 lbs, you may need a Full Truckload (FTL) Carrier. At ShippingDiscounts.com we work closely with parcel, LTL carriers, and FTL carriers to cater to your needs.

Do I Need To Call The Carrier After Scheduling With ShippingDiscounts.com?

You do not need to call the carrier. We will take care of this for you.

What Should I Do After Scheduling My Shipment?

After scheduling your shipment, make sure you have printed two copies of the BOL. One copy will need to be given to the driver when they arrive for pickup. The other BOL is for your records. You may also want to send the consignee, or the receiving party, a copy of the BOL also. And finally, make sure your shipment is ready for pickup.

Can I Ship Directly With The Carrier?

Yes – you can go directly to the carrier to book your shipment, however, you will be charged their regular rates. Unless you are a shipping company, a freight broker, or a customer with a large number of weekly shipments, you will not benefit from their discounted rates. With our discounted rates, we can save you up to 80% off regular carrier prices.

Are Transit Times Guaranteed?

Transit times are estimated. If you would like a guaranteed transit time for your shipment an extra fee will be incurred.

Can I Schedule My Shipment And Have It Picked Up The Same Day?

You can schedule your shipment for same day pick up. The closer it gets to the end of the business day we would need to call the carrier to ensure a same day pick up. We recommend scheduling same day shipments in the mornings and early afternoons.

ShippingDiscounts.com is a 3PL.

So, what is a 3PL? …3PL stands for third-party logistics provider. A 3PL is a firm that provides customers with services relating to logistics and supply chain management functions. A 3PL usually specializes in warehousing and transportation services depending on their customers’ needs. The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals describes the services of a 3PL as being more than just warehousing and transportation related. Among the services 3PL’s provide are cross-docking, inventory management, packaging, and freight forwarding.

In the world of 3PL, ShippingDiscounts.com is a service based company, offering customers a value added service. Customers can book shipments online quickly and efficiently through our transportation management system. Our online system not only allows the customer to book their shipments, but also allows the customer to print their BOL in order to make shipping more seamless and easy. We specialize in catering to our customers and their shipping needs. We specialize in shipping small packages, LTL freight, and international shipments. Contact us about your next shipment today.

When goods and freight need to be shipped across borders, a customs broker is necessary in order to clear goods and freight through all customs barriers. When shipping internationally, it is important to know that not all countries have the same barriers and specifications for importing and exporting goods. A customs broker will specialize in handling paperwork and clearances by country and will facilitate communication between importers, exporters, and the proper governmental authorities.

At ShippingDiscounts.com, we use a customs broker to assist with the paperwork required to ship goods internationally. Customs brokers play a vital role in importing and exporting goods by ensuring that your goods are in compliance with government regulations. Customs brokers have to be familiar with tariff schedules of the individual countries they need to ship to. Tariff schedules are different in every country. A customs broker can facilitate an entry on the importer’s behalf and classify goods according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is the primary resource for determining tariff classifications for goods being imported into the United States. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule is based on the international Harmonized Commodity Coding and Classification System, which has been established by the World Customs Organization. Virtually all countries base their tariff schedules on the Harmonized System, making it easier to conduct international trade.

Using a customs broker can be advantageous to you or your business. Government regulations change periodically and can be difficult to keep up with. Using a broker can save you time and money. Working with a customs broker can ensure speedy delivery of your goods. At ShippingDiscounts.com, we will use customs brokers to guarantee your goods are processed efficiently and in a cost effective manner. Contact us about your next international shipment.