Accessorials & Optional Shipping Services

When shipping freight, you should make sure that it receives the proper handling it requires. So think of accessorials & optional shipping services as add-ons to your shipment, just like adding technical features to a computer you’re buying. Some may be necessary, while others are entirely optional. Failure to notify the need for certain accessorials can lead to unwanted billing adjustments. Use this list to help you determine which services you need or want for your shipment.

Freight Scheduling Options

EXPEDITED FREIGHT—If you have urgent, time-sensitive shipments that must arrive at their destination by a specific date (and sometimes, a particular time), expedite them. By doing this, your freight will move as priority freight, and our freight agents will work around the clock to ensure it gets where it needs to go.

NOTIFICATION SERVICES—Don’t miss pickups or risk missing your delivery. Instead, a convenient and cost-effective way to avoid missing your delivery is to set up a Call For an Appointment. This will also save you time and keep your freight from sitting idle.

Freight Handling (Optional Accessorials)

FIRST MILE SERVICE—With First Mile service, your freight will be picked up and packaged, then delivered to its destination. In other words, all the work will be done for you!

FINAL (LAST) MILE—Final Mile delivers the freight to its end customer, but with additional steps in between. This service includes inside delivery and debris removal. If you need more assistance, let us know, and we will help you secure those requirements.

INSIDE PICKUP/INSIDE DELIVERY—One of the biggest causes for billing adjustments for shippers is the belief that carriers function as moving services. That is, the driver will physically pick up and deliver the goods. But this is not the case. It is the shipper’s job to notify the carrier providing their package of any specifics regarding the delivery of their shipment. Items will be left on the curb upon delivery unless notice is given to the delivery driver. With inside pickup/delivery, your freight will be dropped off on your driveway or in your garage (if residential). If the delivery location is a store, the shipment will be delivered inside the front door. This is another service our carriers can provide at an extra fee, which is incredibly convenient when you’re a small to midsize business.

WHITE GLOVE SERVICE—With White Glove Service, you will not be responsible for packaging, moving, loading, or unloading your furniture. Instead, your furniture will be picked up and delivered to your destination for you. They will even unpack and take care of debris removal for you. Some carriers offer a complete, door-to-door service and will save you the hassle of having to worry about properly packaging and preparing your furniture for shipping.

Freight Handling (Required)

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE—Residential shipping can be tricky for the shipper and the carrier since residential areas do not typically accommodate commercial purposes (even if you run a business out of your home, a house is always still a home). These include:

Residentially zoned locales are not freight-truck friendly. Make sure to inform your freight agent, or have them check so you can choose our residential services ahead of time, and avoid potential billing adjustments.

LIFT GATE AT PICKUP/DELIVERY—Customers must provide means to load/unload their shipments if there is no loading dock. If the cargo weighs over 100 lbs. and there is no loading dock, the shipment will require a truck with a liftgate. If the driver arrives to find that the location does not have a loading dock and the truck does not have a liftgate, the driver will not be able to pick up or deliver the freight. The driver will have to return at a later date with a truck that has a liftgate. This will incur billing adjustments for the liftgate vehicle as well as for the second trip for the pickup/delivery. Lift gates are one of the most common accessorials.

LIMITED ACCESS PICKUP/DELIVERY—Limited access pickup is any destination that restricts trucks from entering an area. This includes any place that:

Some examples of limited access locations are airports, construction sites, churches, government facilities, farms, hotels/ motels, hospitals, schools, mini-storage facilities, nursing homes, prisons, and other such locations.

Some drivers may deem locales limited access upon arrival.

Special Freight Conditions

HAZMAT—Hazardous materials require specific containers and licensed carriers. They also require additional paperwork and verification with a carrier that they can transport. Hazardous materials include fuels, biochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. This is a service we can square away for you.

OVERSIZE FREIGHT—Oversize freight requires the movement of cargo that’s longer, wider, and/or taller than the footprint of a standard trailer. This requires specific transportation equipment that we can arrange for you.

Ship With Us

Make sure your freight quote is accurate by knowing the services your shipment requires. Not sure what services you need? FreightCenter’s Freight agents can help you out. Contact us online or give us a call at 8007167608.