Shipping Via Freight
The Difference Between Freight and Parcel Shipping
In this day in age many consumers are used to easy and often free delivery when doing online purchasing. Unless you are in purchasing you may not be familiar with the differences between shipping via Parcel and Freight shipping. A large majority of everyday purchases are shipped via parcel shipping. For example, anything that ships from Amazon Prime. Parcel shipments are under 150 lbs. and shipped in its own packaging. The main difference between the two is the size of the shipment. A good rule of thumb is that they can reasonably be lifted without help.
Freight shipments are typically bulky and shipped palletized. A key difference between the two for consumers is that they require a signature upon delivery and the driver will not drop it off right on your porch like many of us are accustom to. The trucks that deliver these shipments are much larger than the ones that deliver parcels. When shipping via freight the trucks are all 53’ long.
Freight shipments also cost much more per item than some customers may be used to. On average the minimum cost on these shipments will be around $130. Freight shipments also get much less deliveries in than parcel shipments. Due to this shipping companies are more sensitive to time and need to charge for additional services.
If you were to go through our checkout process on BulkContainerExpress.com you may be overwhelmed by the number of options, we have for shipping. If you are a commercial business that has a loading dock and does not require any security check-ins, then regular commercial freight or express freight delivery are the go-to options. If that is not the case, then you may require additional services from FedEx.
What we see most often is smaller shipments to residential address. Which also includes farmlands if they share the same address as a residence. The reason for this is FedEx sends a smaller box truck for the delivery and it typically takes more time which they need to make up for in their bottom line.
Liftgate service is another one that can go hand in hand with residential. When receiving freight, the standard is the driver will not assist with offloading. Liftgate delivery service includes a truck with a piece of hydraulic or electric equipment that is installed on the back of the truck. If you have a forklift or means of offloading the container on your own, then you will not need their lift gate service.
The last major option is their limited access service. Sites requiring security inspections prior to delivery will require it due to the extra time taken. Some examples are Schools, Military Bases, Carnivals and Fairs, Mine sites, Religious Centers, Construction Sites, Prisons, Camps or Reservations, and Wind Farm Sites.
Finally, if you have your own freight account and can get a better price choose our collect shipping option and fill out the necessary information.
If you have any questions regarding shipping call us at 1-800-945-8304 and we’d be more than happy to help you out.
Article by: John Hill | Account Manager
