Understanding Common Shipping Services & Freight Fees
Shipping Services and Freight Fees
At RPP Containers and Bulk Container Express, we work with industry-leading freight carriers to provide fast, reliable, and cost-effective delivery throughout the United States. By partnering with trusted transportation providers like FedEx Freight Priority, we’re able to offer accurate shipment tracking, dependable transit times, and exceptional customer service from pickup to delivery.
With access to more than 350 freight terminals nationwide and a centrally located distribution warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio, most orders arrive within 2–5 business days. In fact, nearly 80% of the U.S. population falls within our 3-day delivery zone, including major cities like New York, Orlando, Dallas, Denver, and Fargo.
Because every shipment and delivery location is different, freight carriers may require additional shipping services or fees to ensure safe and successful delivery. Below is a breakdown of the most common freight shipping options and what they mean for your order.
Commercial Delivery
Commercial delivery is the standard shipping option for most business locations, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and retail locations.
Freight carriers typically expect the recipient to unload the shipment upon arrival using equipment such as:
- A loading dock
- Forklift
- Pallet jack
If your location does not have the proper unloading equipment, a
Lift-Gate Service may be required to safely unload the shipment from the truck.
Residential/Farm Delivery
Freight carriers classify residential delivery locations as:
- Private homes
- Apartment complexes
- Farms
- Home-based businesses
- Locations not designed for 53’ freight trucks
Residential streets are often narrower and more difficult for large freight trucks to navigate, which is why carriers apply additional residential delivery fees.
If your shipment is being delivered to a residence or farm, it is important to select the correct shipping option during checkout to avoid delays or additional charges.
Limited Access Delivery
Some delivery locations require additional coordination or special handling from the carrier. These are classified as
“limited access” locations and may include:
- Storage facilities
- Churches, synagogues, or temples
- Schools and universities
- Construction sites
- Military bases
- Prisons or correctional facilities
- Fairgrounds or event venues
- Businesses with gated entrances or guard shacks
- Commercial locations not open to the public during normal business hours
Because these deliveries often require extra time and planning, carriers apply an additional limited-access fee.
Lift-Gate Service
A lift-gate is a hydraulic platform attached to the back of a freight truck that helps lower heavy shipments safely to the ground.
This service is commonly required when:
- No loading dock is available
- The customer does not have unloading equipment
- The shipment is being delivered to a residential location
Without a lift-gate, the customer is responsible for unloading the freight directly from the truck.
Why Do These Freight Fees Exist?
Freight carriers determine shipping charges based on several factors, including:
- Shipment size and weight
- Delivery distance
- Type of delivery location
- Accessibility of the site
- Special services required for unloading
While additional service fees can sometimes feel frustrating, they help ensure the shipment arrives safely and efficiently.
It’s also important to remember that the freight carrier has the final say in determining whether a location qualifies as residential or limited access.
Why Do These Freight Fees Exist?
“My location receives freight trucks regularly. Can residential fees be removed?”
Unfortunately, not always.
Even if your location can easily accommodate large freight trucks, carriers still determine whether an address is classified as residential or commercial based on their internal guidelines.
If you’re unsure how your location may be classified, our knowledgeable team at Bulk Container Express is happy to help review your delivery address before shipping.
"What happens if I forget to select residential delivery?"
If your order has not shipped yet, contact our team as soon as possible. We can update the shipment details and add the necessary services before pickup.
However, if the shipment is already in transit and the carrier arrives expecting a commercial dock delivery instead of a residential location, it may result in:
- Missed deliveries
- Delivery delays
- Re-delivery fees
- Additional service charges
For example, a 53’ freight truck may be dispatched to a location that cannot accommodate it, requiring the carrier to reschedule delivery with a smaller truck or additional services.
These additional charges are billed directly by the carrier and are typically non-disputable.
We're Here to Help
At RPP Containers and Bulk Container Express, we understand that freight shipping can sometimes be confusing — especially when additional delivery fees are involved. That’s why our team works closely with customers to ensure orders are shipped correctly the first time.
Whenever possible, we also request delivery notifications and appointment scheduling to help make residential deliveries as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions about shipping services, delivery requirements, or freight fees, our team is here to help by phone
513-489-2244, email, or live chat.
Shipping costs can often be estimated before placing your order, so don’t hesitate to reach out before checkout if you need assistance determining the best delivery option for your location.
