Freight Services, Moving Van Services & Parcel Shipping

So what is the difference and when is freight the best option?

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Dear Shipper,

American Freight Companies is committed to quality service and customer satisfaction. For this reason, every customer and every shipment is assigned a Freight Specialist. Your Freight Specialist will explain the process, compute your cost, produce your invoicing, shipping documents, bill of lading, dispatch your shipment and make sure your freight moves without problems. While doing this they will answer your questions, and attempt to find the most economical means to transport your freight.

The following information is provided for those shippers not familiar with freight. By reviewing the information we hope to keep you as informed as possible. If you still have questions, you may contact our Customer Help Line at 727-450-7800 and a Freight Specialist will be happy to assist you.

What Is Freight and when should I use it?

Whenever you have a have a letter or a need to send a small box,  the Post Office comes to mind.  When shipping a small or medium size  parcel, UPS or Fed-Ex are often good options.  However, there is another level of shipping service called “Freight”.  Freight is used for those items that, because of their shear volume, size or weight, they cannot be shipped with the Post Office or Parcel shipping companies. 

When should I use a Freight Carrier?

Freight carriers specialize in shipments that are more than 100 pounds and or shipments that are large and bulky. When your shipment is this large, it may have to be transported via freight due to size and weight limits imposed on parcel carriers by the government. Freight may be moved by land, rail, air and sea or any combination of these.

Smaller shipments are consolidated with other shipments and larger shipments may move by dedicated truck or container. In general, shipments that weigh more than 8,000 lbs move on a dedicated truck and are referred to as a "truck Load" shipment (TL) and smaller shipments move via "less than a truck load" (LTL). Most shippers that are booking freight, will choose to move their shipment by LTL (less than a truck load). LTL is often the least expensive means transporting those shipments too small to justify a dedicated full truckload.

Based on the information you provide, your Freight Specialist will attempt to identify the most economical means of transporting your shipment. However, you (the shipper) will always make the final decision as to the service that will be used.

What if my items are fragile?
When shipping fragile items, you will be faced with making a decision between using one of our "Blanket Wrap Services" (also known as Van Line Services) or using a standard LTL freight carrier.

LTL carriers generally offer the lowest cost method of transporting a shipment. The disadvantage of LTL is minimal insurance coverage, typically 10 cents per pound and the requirement that everything must be safely boxed, packed or crated to be shipped LTL. The reason most shippers choose LTL service is that, it is provided by major US carriers, it's timely, predicable, tracked, and safe when everything is properly packed and of course the least expensive way to ship.

 Blanket wrap services are a specialty service. Blanket wrap or van services require very little work on the part of the shipper as the carrier will pick the item as is, protect it as needed and deliver it to it's final delivery point. The service is similar to a mini household mover. The services is however much more expensive than LTL freight. If you are unsure as to what type of service you are require, you may discuss your options with your Freight Specialist.

How does freight work?

In most cases, using general LTL freight services will be less expensive than using a traditional “mover” or “moving van company” or specialized "blanket wrap services".  However, freight does require more of the shipper.

Think of freight as a vary large version of parcel shipping. You are responsible to making sure everything is "properly prepared for shipping" this means that everything that needs to be protected is boxed, packed or crated appropriately for the item. All items must be also addressed, It also means that you are responsible for getting the item(s) up to truck bed level at the point of pick up and be able to receive the item(s) at truck bed level at the point of delivery.

Be aware that there will normally be only one driver, and the driver’s sole responsibility is driving the truck. The driver is not obligated to load the truck. Having said this, you will find that drivers will load anything that a single healthy individual is able to lift. From experience this is most items that weight no more that 100 - 150 pounds and are not "too large" for the driver to safely lift. It is always recommended that the shipper and consignee, or receiving party, have able bodies to load and unload the shipment from the truck.  If you are not sure, ask you Freight Specialist.

Also Be aware, that a standard freight truck is 3-4 ft. off the ground to allow easy access for docks.  If you do not have the equipment or ability to lift the item(s) on or off the truck, a freight truck with a hydraulic lift-gate can be reserved (additional charge) to aid in the loading of heavier items.