FAQ

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE LTL SHIPPING?

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipping handles freight shipments ranging from 100 lbs to 20,000 lbs. When the item you need shipped or transported is too large to take to the post office or your local parcel company, LTL freight is a more economical approach. Freight shipping is the easiest way to move large and bulky items quickly and efficiently while keeping shipping costs low. PNG Logistics can help you find LTL solutions that work for your needs.

HOW DO I DETERMINE MY FREIGHT CLASS/NMFC NUMBER?

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 Classification (NMFC) as a freight industry standard. When determining your freight class, be as specific and accurate as possible in your description to avoid extra shipping costs by the shipping company. Call our trained logistics professionals to help you determine the correct class for your freight.

HOW SHOULD I PACKAGE MY ITEMS?

Please make sure that all items being shipped are properly and securely packaged to prevent damage. 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. Improper packaging may decrease or nullify the carrier’s liability for damage claims or loss.

CAN I ESTIMATE THE WEIGHT OF MY SHIPMENT?

It is crucial to determine the most accurate weight for the freight items that you are shipping and not just estimate an approximate weight. Freight companies can choose to re-weigh your item at any point during the transport process. If an inaccurate weight is used, you can be re-billed at the carrier’s non-discounted rate for the difference and the cost to ship will increase significantly. If you have questions about this, do not hesitate to give us a call at (877) 764-9441.

HOW DOES PNG LOGISTICS SIMPLIFY PAPERWORK?

Our TMS platform automatically saves addresses and product descriptions so that we can get paperwork to you more quickly. Give us the weight, dimensions, product description, and address information and we’ll take it from there. If you book online, you have access to your BOL (Bill of Lading) right away. When a shipment is routed with PNG Logistics all the proper paperwork is sent via fax or email. When we route your inbound freight, your vendor doesn’t have to worry about filling out paperwork or applying proper codes. All of this is handled by PNG Logistics to save time and reduce errors. When shipping across borders, we make sure to have a customs broker listed and the proper paperwork completed to avoid warehouse and storage fees. Our experts take care of the paperwork so that you can focus on your business.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO USE PNGLC’S PAPERWORK?

PNGLC has arranged inexpensive shipping rates because of the volume of shipments we process through our shipping companies. If our BOL and paperwork is modified or not used, the freight company will not know to bill us at our discounted shipping rates. In order to keep shipping costs low, make sure the shipper uses only PNGLC’s BOL when authorizing the freight to the driver at pickup. Not using our paperwork could result in more hassle and extra shipping costs from freight companies.

IS THERE A FEE FOR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES?

Yes, there are residential delivery fees that apply to freight shipping to a primarily non-commercial location. This includes apartments, residences, farms, estates, remote locations, and may include schools and churches. The cost to ship can also change when delivering to a limited-access location (i.e. construction sites, military bases, camps, and storage-unit facilities). Be sure to ask your PNGLC representative if you are unsure if your location would fall into one of these categories.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO SCHEDULE A PICKUP?

Depending on the time of booking in your time zone, we can try to arrange for same-day pickup. Always speak to a PNGLC representative directly for special arrangements and urgent bookings. Please allow a 2-hour window of time for freight pickup and note that most shipping companies make pickups in the afternoon and spend their mornings with freight deliveries.

DO I NEED TO BE PRESENT AT TIME OF PICKUP?

Someone who is authorized to sign over the shipment and PNGLC BOL must be present at the time of the 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, they will not normally wait. The pickup must then be re-dispatched, and some freight companies charge a re-delivery fee to cover extra time and miles.

ARE TRANSIT TIMES GUARANTEED?

Freight transit times are not guaranteed unless specifically noted on the freight quote option you select when booking your shipping rates. All other delivery times are only estimates that cannot be guaranteed; however, they are normally reliable. Freight shipping transit times begin the day after your freight is picked up. If you have something that is urgent, make sure you speak with a PNG Logistics representative as soon as possible to arrange the shipment.

HOW ARE CLAIMS HANDLED?

If your freight arrives damaged, it is important to accept the shipment in order to document the claim correctly. A claim must be filed within 48 hours of delivery and can be done directly online on MyPNGLCTM. PNGLC will act as liaison and assist the customer in processing the claim and filing all necessary paperwork. While we will advocate for you, we cannot guarantee that all claims will be accepted from the shipping company.

ARE YOUR RATES FINAL AND CERTAIN?

Your shipping quote is based on the information provided to PNGLC at the time of booking. Any changes or differences in the weight, class, size, or location can result in additional shipping costs direct from the carrier. To ensure that your shipping rates stay in line as originally quoted, be sure to use the PNGLC BOL provided. This lets the carrier know to bill PNGLC at the pre-negotiated freight rates and discounts.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I RECEIVE A BILL DIRECTLY FROM THE CARRIER?

Contact our customer service department at (877) 764-9441 and fax a copy of the bill that you received. This usually occurs when PNGLC’s BOL is not used at the time of pickup, which results in a double booking in systems and a change in shipping rates. Our freight brokers will promptly take care of the paperwork and have the charges properly credited for your freight shipment when notified.

HOW CAN I AVOID RECEIVING A RE-BILL?

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 PNGLC at the time of booking is 100% complete and accurate. When scheduling your freight shipping, make sure you are as accurate as you can be about the contents, size, and weight of your freight.

MY NEEDS ARE MORE SPECIALIZED. WHY SHOULD I USE PNGLC?

PNGLC houses a full freight logistics department that manages truckload, international, and specialty shipments. We can handle tradeshow shipping, rail, barge, intermodal, and many others. We will find a cost-effective solution for you regarding a variety of shipping problems. We excel at providing superior freight shipping solutions and offer an unparalleled combination of price, value, and service.

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