5 Tips on Shipping Freight to Big Box Retailers

Aerial view of a large warehouse with white loading docks and several parked blue and white trucks. The facility is surrounded by a spacious asphalt area. In the top corner, there are orange arrow patterns. The sky is clear.

You did it — you’ve signed a vendor contract with a big box chain of stores. Congratulations! Shelf space in the big leagues can help increase sales and build brand recognition. When you’re done fist-pumping, or passing the bubbly, or however you’re celebrating, it’s time for the next step: Plan how to ship freight to…

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LTL vs. FTL Shipping Modes: What’s the Difference?

Line of parked semi-trucks in a small-business-shipping-hub under a blue sky. The image shows a side view of the trucks, emphasizing their trailers and cabs. In front, a series of blue arrow graphics point to the right.

There are a lot of acronyms in the world of freight: BOL, TMS, NMFC, EEI, POD to name just a few. In this alphabet shipping soup, however, there are two freight acronyms that often rise to the top and are crucially important for any SMB (there’s another one!) to understand: LTL and FTL. What does…

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How to Avoid Freight Delays & Keep Consignees Happy

A blue semi-truck drives on a highway under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, theres a green clock icon with an arrow indicating rotation. Fields and trees are visible in the background.

“Yay for delays!” is not something you’ll hear a small or mid-sized business owner ever say. Unfortunately, there are many challenges these days to on-time freight shipping. In fact, many industry insiders feel that “peak season” is now year-round, and the volume increase around the holidays just compounds things. The ongoing capacity shortage can translate…

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Compare LTL Freight Shipping Carriers

Aerial view of three blue trucks parked parallel in designated spaces at a small-business-shipping-hubs loading dock. Yellow lines and numbers neatly mark the parking spots on the concrete surface.

What is a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier? Are there different kinds of LTL carriers? What services do LTL shipping companies offer, and which is best for my business? If you’ve asked yourself any of the preceding questions, have we got an e-guide for you! We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you compare and contrast…

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7 Ways to Get Ahead of Peak Season Freight Shipping Delays

A woman and a man in business attire discuss holiday shipping strategies in a warehouse with tall shelves. A worker in a reflective vest is visible in the background. An icon with a checkmark and a pointing hand is overlaid on the image.

We’re getting very close to peak shipping season, the time when volumes — and frustrations — can reach their highest levels of the year. The holiday shipping season is expected to see an increased amount of freight crisscrossing the country, which means shippers are competing against greater shipping congestion and higher surcharges. Smart businesses need…

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How to Avoid Common Accessorial Fees & Charges

Four loading docks with blue doors and black weather seals are evenly distributed against a gray industrial building under a clear blue sky. The concrete loading area in this small-business-shipping-hub is empty out front.

When you’re shipping freight, it’s not unusual for the invoiced amount to be greater than the price originally quoted by a carrier. More often than not, the extra charges are to cover carrier accessorial fees for services or equipment needed to complete a delivery. Accessorial charges vary with every carrier and are typically applied to…

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Freight Terms & Definitions

Close-up of the front grilles of two semi-trucks parked side by side at a small-business-shipping-hub. The truck in the foreground is blue, while the one partially visible in the background is purple. The focus is on the shiny chrome grille and reflective surfaces.

The freight industry is full of terminology that’s important to understand. Here are some common freight term definitions that will be helpful to know for your daily shipping operations. Accessorial Charges When shipping via less-than-truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL), accessorial charges are the extra fees incurred when the carrier performs additional services or uses…

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Getting Started With a New Carrier

A row of parked blue semi-trucks is seen in a lot, forming a small-business-shipping-hub. In the foreground, a green circle with a white handshake icon suggests a partnership or agreement related to trucking or logistics.

As any small or mid-sized business owner knows, relationships are everything. Building and maintaining professional relationships with suppliers and vendors, partners and customers is crucial to running a successful business. Another critical on is the shipper and carrier relationship. The business you do with the right shipping carrier (or carriers) can have an enormously beneficial…

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Cargo Theft Prevention

A graphic of a shipping container featuring a large padlock illustration in the center, symbolizing security for holiday shipping. The containers interior is lined with metal, while light pours in from the open end, creating a sense of safeguarded journeys.

The holidays are the peak season for a lot of things in the shipping world. Volumes are usually at their highest as businesses see their biggest sales of the year. Another thing that peaks during the busy holidays, unfortunately, is cargo theft — and the trend is on the rise. Why are the holidays prime…

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How to Avoid Rejected Freight

Person using a manual pallet jack to transport a wooden pallet through a warehouse door. The pallet jack is orange, and the floor has directional arrows marked. The person is wearing dark pants and shoes.

Let’s face it: no one likes rejection. Whether in your business or personal life, being rejected is never fun. And your freight feels the same way! Every time freight is shipped, there’s a possibility that the consignee (receiver) will reject it. Fortunately, there are some ways for smart businesses to be proactive against their freight…

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