With all of the different options, rates, and processes, freight shipping can get complicated. But ultimately, it’s that way for your convenience. All the seemingly complex aspects of freight shipping serve to make the journey run smoothly, securely, and, fairly.

Nonetheless, if freight shipping leaves you scratching your head, here are five of the most common shipping questions answered:

What Is Freight Classification?

Freight comes in all shapes and sizes. To address the challenges this poses towards fair pricing, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association® (NMFTA^®) developed the standardized pricing structure currently used today. This encompasses 18 classes, ranging from 50 to 500, each of which is determined by various factors of the freight in question, including weight, dimensions, density, and value. The lower the classification, the lower the rate is.

How Does Freight Get Transported?

In addition to the freight classification described above, other factors determining your rate include the mode of transport. Your options typically include flatbed, truckload, and less than load (LTL) shipping.

What Does “BOL” Mean?

The letters “BOL” stand for Bill of Lading, which refers to a receipt of freight services. Included in this document are all the relevant details for processing a shipment, including the date of shipment, the number of units, and freight classifications. Both the shipper and carrier keep copies of the BOL after every pickup.

What Constitutes a Hazardous Material?

Hazardous materials can only be shipped by a freight company that meets the requirements for their safe shipment. The different classifications include explosives, corrosives, radioactive material, flammable liquids/solids, poisons, and many others.

Can My Pickup Day Be Guaranteed?

It’s possible to estimate the transit time for your freight, but it’s not usually possible to guarantee it. There are too many factors involved, especially if the journey has many stopping points.

Do you have additional unanswered questions? To inquire about freight shipping services and logistics, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Victor Enterprises by calling (585) 742-2232. In addition to trucking and hauling, the Victor, NY-based professionals are also available for excavation services. To learn more, browse the website.