Help Center

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipping handles freight shipments ranging from 100 lbs to 20,000 lbs. When the item you need shipped or transported is too large to take to the post office or your local parcel company, freight is seen as a more economical approach. Freight shipping is the easiest way to move large and bulky items quickly and efficiently while keeping shipping costs low.

A freight class is configured by the combination of weight, value, density, likelihood of damage, and ease of moving. All items have been specifically classified and assigned a category code by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFC) as a freight industry standard. When determining your freight class, be as specific and accurate as possible in your description to avoid extra shipping costs by the shipping company. Call our trained freight brokers to help you determine the correct class for your freight.

Please make sure that all items being shipped are properly and securely packaged to prevent damage. All freight should be packaged, crated, or stacked and secured onto pallets with banding, shrink-wrap or breakaway adhesive. Labels should be placed on every freight piece. Improper packaging may decrease or nullify the carrier’s liability for damage claims or loss.

It is crucial to determine the most accurate weight for the freight items you are shipping and not just estimate an approximate weight. Freight companies can choose to re-weigh your item at any point during the transport process. If an inaccurate weight is used, you can be re-billed at the carrier’s non-discounted rate for the difference and the cost to ship will increase.

A bill of lading is standard, mandatory paperwork providing the carrier and driver with all pertinent information related to the shipping costs and information. This paperwork allows for proper billing to be processed by the shipping company and FreightCenter. All parties involved should have a copy of the BOL (buyer, seller and carrier). It is very important that the FreightCenter BOL be given to the carrier at the time of pickup. Also, keep one copy for your records.

FreightCenter has arranged cheap shipping rates because of the volume of shipments we process through our shipping companies. If our BOL and paperwork is modified or not used, the freight company will not know to bill us at these discounted shipping rates. In order to keep shipping costs low, make sure the shipper uses only FreightCenter’s BOL when authorizing the freight to the driver at pickup. Not using our paperwork could result in more hassle and extra shipping costs from freight companies.

Yes, there are residential delivery fees that apply to freight shipping to a primarily non-commercial location. This includes apartments, residences, farms, estates, remote locations, and possibly schools and churches. The cost to ship can also change when delivering to a limited-access location (i.e. construction sites, military bases, camps, and storage-unit facilities). Be sure to ask your FreightCenter representative if you are unsure if your location would fall into one of the above categories.

Depending on the time of booking in your time zone, we can try to arrange for same-day pickup. Always speak to a FreightCenter agent directly for special arrangements and urgent bookings. Please allow a 4-hour window of time for freight pickup, and note that most shipping companies make pickups in the afternoon and spend their mornings with freight deliveries.

Someone who is authorized to sign over the shipment and FreightCenter BOL must be present at the time of pickup. If the driver arrives at the pickup location and either the freight is not ready or there is no one available to sign the BOL, he/she will not normally wait. The pickup must then be re-dispatched, which some freight companies charge a re-delivery fee for to cover extra time and miles.

Freight transit times are not guaranteed unless specifically noted on the freight quote option you select when booking you shipping rates. All other delivery times are estimates only that cannot be guaranteed, though they are normally reliable. Freight shipping transit times begin the day after picking up your freight.

If your freight arrives damaged, it is important to accept the shipment in order to document the claim correctly. A claim must be filed within 48 hours of delivery, and can be done directly online on our site. FreightCenter will act as liaison and assist the customer in processing the claim and filing all necessary paperwork, though we cannot guarantee all claims will be accepted from the shipping company.

The industry-standard liability cargo insurance coverage offered by all LTL carriers booked through FreightCenter is $0.10 cents per pound. In addition, FreightCenter offers its customers the ability to purchase supplementary freight insurance accessed directly during the freight quote and booking process.

FreightCenter.com is a freight broker that utilizes the trucks of the largest, most reputable carriers and shipping companies. We ship thousands of loads through YRC, Roadway, UPS and many more. To see a list of the carriers available and the shipping costs to move your freight, start a FREE quick quote now.

Due to the high volume we ship through our network of carriers, we are able to secure largely discounted shipping rates. Your shipping quote is based on the information provided to FreightCenter at the time of booking. Any changes or differences in the weight, class, size, or location can result in additional shipping costs direct from the carrier. To ensure that your shipping rates stay in line as originally quoted, be sure to use the FreightCenter BOL provided. This lets the carrier know to bill FreightCenter.com at the pre-negotiated freight rates and discounts.

Contact our customer service department at 1-800-716-7608 and fax a copy of the bill that you received. This usually occurs when FreightCenter’s BOL is not used at the time of pickup, which results in a double booking in two systems and a change in shipping rates. Our freight brokers will promptly take care of the paperwork and have the charges properly credited for your freight shipment when notified.

When obtaining a freight quote, the type of commodity, weight, dimensions, pick-up and delivery location, and distance all influence the cost to ship. The best way to avoid a change in shipping rates is to ensure that all information given to FreightCenter at the time of booking is 100% complete and accurate. When scheduling your freight shipping, make sure you are as honest and accurate as you can be about the contents, size, and weight of your freight.

FreightCenter houses a full freight broker department that manages truckload, international, and specialty shipments. We can handle tradeshow shipping, auto and motorcycle shipping, rail, barge, furniture shipping, and white glove among many others. No matter your shipping problem, we will find a cost-effective solution for you. We excel at providing superior freight shipping solutions and offer an unparalleled combination of price, value, and service.