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 & is automatically calculated for you. Please note, if you overwrite the calculated Freight Class, a secondary billing adjustment may occur.

BOL in the freight industry stands for Bill of Lading. This document works as a receipt of freight services, or a contract between the carrier and the freight shipper that provides all the necessary details to process and invoice a shipment correctly (date of shipment, number of units, freight classification, weight, etc.). The BOL is created and then presented to the carrier at pickup. The shipper retains a copy of the BOL for their own records. 

Please ensure when booking your shipment that the contact information for both the shipper and consignee are included in case they need to be reached by the carrier.

Product category is required by all carriers to calculate accurate shipping rates. It is essential for mattresses, appliances, electronics, and upholstered items to have the correct Product Category as they often require special handling from select carriers.

LTL Shipping (Less Than Truckload)
LTL freight is the easiest way to move large and bulky items (100 lbs to 10,000 lbs) quickly and efficiently while keeping shipping costs low. Please go to QUICK QUOTE to begin booking your pallet & LTL shipments.

Truckload
A dedicated full truck means fewer touch points and will often reduce damage along with enjoying quicker delivery times. Please contact info@freightclub.com for Concierge booking on your next FTL shipment.

Parcel & Ground
Please contact info@freightclub.com to inquire about activating Ground delivery options.

Less than truckload (LTL) freight shipping is used for shipping products that exceed the weight and dimensions of a parcel shipment, approximately 150 lbs, but do not require a full trailer to transport. LTL shipments only require that the shipper pay a portion of the truck their freight occupies. The term “less than truckload” (LTL) is relative to “Full truckload” (FTL), a mode of shipping where the shipment is large enough to require an entire trailer for transport. Some common items requiring LTL freight shipping include shipping couches, exercise equipment, major appliances, etc.

Only a portion of the truck, only a portion of the cost! By far the greatest benefit of LTL is the savings you receive from not shipping a full truckload when transporting large goods. Here are some other notable benefits:

Reduce overage fees on packages that are close to the parcel limitation.

Reduce overage fees on returns for parcel products that are at risk of being considered “LTL” when repackaged and shipped by the end consumer.

Improve customer experience by offering customers additional delivery services like white glove delivery.

Reduce carbon emissions by allowing your products to share space with other shipments. You can also offset your emissions with our free carbon offsetting program.

Freight wider than 8ft 6 inches or taller than 13 ft 6 inches is typically considered oversized freight. Shipments considered “LTL” can be anywhere between 150 lbs. and 15,000 lbs. The LTL freight size limitations may vary depending on your service level and whether it is for residential or commercial purposes.
Typically, residential shipments tend to be less in weight and therefore have lower weight limitations than commercial ones. For example, the standard residential liftgate weight limit is less than 2500lbs. If a residential shipper exceeded this limit, it would require the receiver of the shipment to have a forklift on hand to unload the shipment. It’s very rare a residential shipper would receive something so heavy!

The following are circumstances in which you will likely need to choose LTL freight shipping:

When you have freight between 150lbs and 15,000lbs, packages over 165 inches in length and girth combined or 108 inches or longer in length, according to UPS standards.

When you are shipping any product that would be difficult for a single person to handle.

If you’re shipping anything on a pallet.

When you are returning a product that was original shipped as a parcel but is at risk of becoming LTL when repackaged by an end consumer.

In comparison to FTL freight rates, LTL shipping quotes are calculated using “freight class” meaning you are paying price-per-weight rather than per mile.

Factors that determine LTL shipping rates:

Dimensions and weight: height, weight, width and girth are typically considered to determine “Freight class.” The higher the freight class, the higher the rates are.

Location: Freight travelling farther will likely result in a higher rate.

Services: Additional services offer added value to your shipping experience, such as White Glove delivery. These options can vary in price added to your order.

Commercial or residential: Residential shipping requires the use of a lift gate, which counts as an additional service charge.

The cost of LTL shipping varies depending on the weight and dimensions of the shipment and the volume the shipper or freight broker is doing with that LTL carrier. Because of the high-volume Freight Club ships with LTL carriers, we offer shippers enterprise-level rates on a large selection of LTL freight carriers.

LTL shipping services vary depending on your needs and whether you ship residential or commercial. Freight Club offers up to 7 levels of delivery service, including parcel delivery services. Here are our current LTL service level offerings:

Commercial:

Back of truck (no liftgate) – Delivered to a commercial hub



Residential:

Curbside (liftgate) - Delivery left on the curbside.

Basic threshold – Delivery left outside ground floor entrance.

Threshold – Shipment brought into the first door of the address.

Room of Choice – Product delivered to a room of the customer’s choice

White Glove – Packaging removal

White Glove – Light Assembly

A full truckload (FTL) shipment is when one truck carries a whole dedicated shipment from a single shipper. If you’re shipping a large volume to a single destination, FTL will likely work out cheaper than alternative methods.

We handle your big load with care. With our dropshipping model, there are fewer touchpoints when getting your shipments from point A to point B. This means fewer opportunities for damage. Our smart technology also pairs your shipment with the best carrier for your SKU type, further mitigating risk. You’ll also stay in the loop every step of the way with real-time tracking enabled on all shipments.

Parcel shipping size limitations include packages that are heavier than 150 lbs, longer than 108 inches, or longer than 165 inches in length and girth combined, according to UPS standards.

The following are circumstances in which to choose parcel shipping:

You have a package that is less than 150lbs.

You have a package that is no longer than 165 inches in length and girth combined or 108 inches in length.

You have a returning product that you feel is not at risk of exceeding parcel limitations in the case that a consumer repackages it during a return. If you believe there is a chance of risk, we recommend using LTL shipping for returns.

Freight Class (Dimensions and weight): height, weight, width, and girth determine “Freight class.” The higher the freight class, the higher the rates are.

Location: Freight traveling farther will likely result in a higher rate.

The cost of parcel shipping varies depending on the weight and dimensions of the shipment and the volume the shipper is doing with an individual carrier. Because of the high-volume Freight Club does with carriers, we offer shippers enterprise-level rates on a large selection of carriers, including parcel delivery.

As parcel delivery service is for packages that are easy to handle, there is no requirement for specialty services like white glove services; therefore, they are not available. If you feel your product requires special handling, check out our White Glove services for LTL residential shipments.

White Glove shipping services are delivery services that come with additional benefits. The service includes having items brought into a residential home and assembled, or having the product packaging removed by delivery professionals, depending on the chosen level of service.

Luxury Product Delivery

Furniture Delivery

Appliance Delivery

Electronics Delivery

Fitness Equipment Delivery

The following factors determine the cost of White Glove delivery:

Dimensions and weight: height, weight, width, and girth are typically considered to determine the “Freight class.” The higher the freight class, the higher the rates are.

Location: Freight traveling farther will likely result in a higher rate.

Services level: “White Glove” delivery can entail many different services. This can mean moving the product to the customer’s “Room of Choice,” “Package Removal,” or “Light Assembly” of products.

If you choose threshold delivery service, a carrier will deliver your package to the nearest dry area. Threshold is a great low-cost option for customers on a budget or as an option to offer as part of your free shipping or fixed rate shipping strategy. White Glove services, on the other hand, should be provided when you or your customers would like a product to receive special care and other services like assembly or package removal.

Package removal is included in some White Glove delivery services if you or your customers select that option.

Light assembly of products is included in some White Glove delivery services if you or your customers select that option.

Parcel shipping is shipping the small stuff – typically packages less than 150lbs, easily moved by a single carrier. This is relative to Less than Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL), which are shipping options for larger freight. Parcel shipments may also have other dimension limitations, including packages over 165 inches in length and girth combined.

Ship small packages at a lower cost than other freight methods like LTL and FTL shipping.

Typically, parcel delivery is faster than other forms of shipping like LTL.

Shipping protection protects your shipments against losses like damage, porch piracy, and lost items. With shipping protection, your business can be reimbursed in case of loss, mitigating shipping risk.

Shipping protection coverage is provided by an authorized insurance company covering losses not generally covered by carrier liability. While carriers only offer declared value coverage, the bare minimum required by law, shipping protection providers cover additional expenses like expedited reshipment and instances like concealed damages. Shipping protection also has added benefits like reduced payout time and ease of claims handling.

Carrier liability is the standard liability offered by the carrier for a shipment, in the event of loss or damage (e.g. up to $100 for a small package, or $25/lb. for LTL). Excess liability refers to the shipper’s purchase of excess-value coverage (e.g. more than the carrier’s standard liability), up to the cost of the shipment, offered by the carrier in the event of loss or damage. Carrier liability is based on small-print terms and a web of governing statutes, some of which date to the 1930s. Different statutes cover different modes, as well as international vs domestic shipping. But at their core, all the statutes allow carriers to limit their exposure and exempt a variety of situations from their liability.

The shipping protection available on Freight Club provides coverage beyond carrier and excess liability, including protection from financial loss when shipments are lost, damaged, or stolen as a result of porch piracy.

Shipping protection is directly calculated through the Quick Quote tool and is dependent on the declared value of the contents.

Using the Freight Club app, if you’re booking a single shipment, go through the usual quoting and booking process and leave the “freight insurance” option box checked to opt-in to shipping protection before getting rates. If you are doing quotes at checkout, you will have a toggle in your Freight Club account that allows you to include or exclude the cost of protection in your customer quotes.

While freight shipping services are very reliable, shipments do not typically come with a guaranteed transit time unless it is requested. Pickup day is not included in the qualification and calculation of transit time.

Delivery times will vary depending on where the product is being collected from & where it is being delivered to. On average deliveries to or from non-rural / out of town areas can take longer to be shipped.

It is important to understand that delivery schedules tend to vary. Please do not schedule contractors to start work until your shipment arrives. Freight Club can’t be held responsible for any shipping schedule guarantees. The same applies for direct or indirect inconveniences, monetary losses and additional charges incurred.

Freight dimensions and freight weight should never be estimated. It’s critical to measure the length, width and height to the nearest inch, especially for LTL shipping, as carriers rely on exact dimensions to determine how much freight can fit on one truck. Incorrect or estimated measurements could result in costly secondary billing adjustments.

Much like freight dimensions, weight also needs to be accurate. Freight carriers typically use the listed weight to determine how much freight can fit into an individual truck. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has truck weight regulations in place and incorrect weights could result in costly secondary billing adjustments.

Please make sure that all items being shipped are properly and securely packaged to prevent damage in a mixed goods LTL environment. 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. Please note, our carriers may refuse to pick-up the shipment if not properly packaged.
Improper packaging may decrease or nullify the carrier’s liability for damage claims or loss.

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 Freight Club at the time of booking.

Any changes or differences in the weight, class, size, or location can result in secondary billing.

Please note, for “Open Quotes”, rates are confirmed at time of booking.

Once an order has been booked, the majority of our carriers will collect the item within 48 – 72 hours (2 – 3 business days). If you have a time sensitive shipment, be sure to contact info@freightclub.com to discuss the best options. Please allow more time for pick-ups outside of metropolitan areas.

Once your shipment has been booked, the Freight Club tracking number will be available within 24 hours of the requested pick-up date (for most carriers) and can be provided to the consignee for tracking. Please go to Freight Club Tracking page to track each shipment.

Yes, someone who is authorized to sign over the shipment and Freight Club’s 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, the driver will not normally wait, or if they are asked to wait there may be a holding charge.

If the pickup must be re-dispatched, some freight companies charge a re-delivery fee to cover extra time and miles.

Carriers will call to schedule delivery appointments for residential deliveries once the freight has arrived at the local delivery terminal. At the time of delivery, someone who is authorized must be present to sign the Proof of Delivery document.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure the consignee knows to inspect their order carefully when it arrives noting the condition of the packaging. Signing the Proof of Delivery acknowledges that the items are in good condition, and claims may not be honored for concealed damage without notation of damages on the Proof Of delivery document.

Please Note for commercial deliveries the driver will arrive within normal business hours without calling ahead of time to book an appointment.

To open a claim, simply locate the shipment you wish to file for under “Manage Orders”, click the “Actions” button and select “Initiate Claim.” Please note that “Initiate Claim” means you would like to send an intent to create a claim. The claim will then appear in the “Manage Claims” page under the status “Initiated” until you select “Submit for Review” on the “Claim Details” page. Before submitting for review, please ensure all information is filled out sufficiently and that all required documentation is provided. Once submitted, the Freight Club team will keep you and your carrier updated along the way and will notify you if additional documents are required.

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 Freight Club 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.

Please refer to our latest Terms and Conditions agreement for full description of coverage.

We all hate them:

They are often the reason or difference between a profitable order and a not profitable order

They create additional tension & can easily sour a carrier/client relationship

They strain everyone’s accounting teams and often result in a slower more time consuming reconciliation process – not to mention frustrating!

If disputed, there are rarely favorable outcomes. Even if they are overturned when you consider the time and pain to go through the process it is rarely worth the credits given by the carrier

If what you ship is different from what was booked, it will likely incur a secondary invoice. Inaccurate booking information costs you time and money so it’s vital to be as accurate as you can!

Carriers are not very flexible when it comes to secondary invoices We work with over 100 carriers and we have seen it all. So we’ve put together a list of the 5 most common reasons for secondary invoices and how to avoid them.

Top 5 Tips to help Prevent incurring Secondary Invoices

Ensure you select the correct “Date Ready for Pickup” – Attempted pick-up fees range between $75-$180

Commercial vs Residential – take extra care to ensure Residential is chosen when delivering to a customer’s home – this also includes Home Based businesses!

Freight Class – Our platform auto generates the freight class for you based on dimensions, weight, and category of shipment. If you are not 100% certain of your freight class do not change the class. Changing the class will likely cause significant secondary billings. You will not receive a secondary invoice on class if you do not change the class Freight Club auto generates if your dimensions, weights, and categories are correct. This eliminates a large portion of secondary billing instances.

Category – Ensure you select the appropriate category for your shipment as pricing can vary between Upholstery & Case Goods – By not selecting the appropriate category, you will likely change the freight class and create a secondary invoice situation.

Weights and dimensions – Probably the most important factor in relation to avoiding secondary invoices.

If shipping on a pallet be sure to include the weight of the pallet, boxes and any packaging in the total weight. Measurements are to be the total shipment LxWxH including the pallet.

Be careful of protruding portions (like plastic ends on rolled rugs) and to include them in your dimensions – This is especially important with Parcel shipments and goods that are close to “oversize dimensions” as Carriers are now billing an additional $650 for an “oversize” parcel.

The good news is that at Freight Club, we represent you, our client, with the carriers. We actively dispute & fight for every charge, every claim, and any issues our clients have with our carrier network. We use our volume as leverage with our carriers, however we have to be careful to ensure the disputes are realistic and not based on inaccurate shipping information.

When we get a secondary bill from one of our carriers, Freight club pays it right away otherwise our carriers would simply cut us off! There is very little lee-way on payments with carriers and they take a hardline approach on the issues listed above. However, by ensuring all members of your shipping team are aware of these issues and how best to avoid them, we can ensure a smooth & profitable shipping experience!

A freight claim is a request from the shipper to a carrier for financial reimbursement for losses such as damages or stolen or misplaced goods.

Freight claims management software aims to improve efficiency in freight claims handling through technology that allows you to record, file, and dispute claims.
Freight Club’s claims management solutions are an extension of the Freight Club freight management software, which allows you to file claims on shipments you’ve already made through Freight Club simply without needing to leave the app.

Filing a freight claim with Freight Club couldn’t be simpler. Once you’ve located the shipment you wish to file a claim for in the “Manage Orders” section, simply do the following:

Click the “Actions” button and select “Initiate Claim,” which means you would like to send an intent to create a claim. The claim will then appear in the “Manage Claims” section under the status “Initiated”

Fill out all the claim details on the “Claim Details” page. Provide as much documentation as possible to increase the chance of payouts.

Click “Submit for Review” once all claims details are recorded, and documentation has been uploaded.

To successfully submit a claim, you will need to provide (to the best of your ability):

A valid invoice

The value(s) of the item or items that were shipped.

A description of the loss – If a damaged product, describe the damage, be specific.

Photos of damages to your package

Photos of damage to the product inside

Photos of the product before the damage

You can help your carriers and yourself avoid freight claims by choosing to ship with carriers that have lower damage rates on your individual products or who specialize in the products you’re shipping. Being conscious of what packaging will help prevent damage to products will also help lower the risk of claims.

When you ship with Freight Club, our software automatically matches your products with carriers who have the lowest damage rates for each SKU, helping you minimize claims without having to lift a finger.

It is recommended that you file your freight claim as soon as you are aware of the issue and have the necessary documentation as claims can take some time to rectify. Filing earlier also ensures that documentation, such as images of damage, is promptly recorded by the receiver of the shipment.

Damages
Damages are the most common type of claim filed by shippers. If it is noted on the proof of delivery that a package is damaged, that package will qualify for damage claims.

Concealed Damages
Concealed damages, in relation to the Damage category, are damages that are not recorded upon arrival. Usually the damage is internal, and so it is harder to prove that it was caused by the carrier at fault.

Loss
A loss is when freight simply never makes it to the final destination. The absence of signed proof of delivery is enough proof for a loss claim.

Shortage
A shortage, similar to a loss, is when freight does not arrive at its final destination, only in this case, other packages part of that shipment has arrived at the destination.

Yes. Freight Club provides shipping protection through UPS Capital Insurance® which is automatically applied to your shipment unless you choose to opt-out.

Freight Club’s shipping protection is provided through UPS Capital Insurance ® and is provided as the default option on all Freight Club orders in the “Quick Freight Quote” page. If you do not wish to have shipping protection, though it is highly recommended, simply uncheck the “Insurance” box under the “Extra Services” section.