TSI moves and ships everything that’s too big for a parcel store, too little for a giant moving truck, and too valuable, fragile, or unique to trust to anyone else. Our one-stop solution leverages volume with a network of trusted carriers to deliver you convenience and savings.

1. Don’t Make These Costly
Freight Shipping Mistakes
Discover how to avoid expensive freight shipping mistakes with this checklist by Transit Systems.
Costly Shipping Mistakes: A Checklist
Weigh accurately. Don’t guesstimate the weight of your
shipment. Instead, weigh it or determine its weight by checking
with the manufacturer or retailer. Your LTL (less-than-truckload)
freight carrier will re-weigh the item, and sometimes charge
extra if there is a difference.
Use the proper freight classification. Standard freight
classifications are the basis of rates charged by LTL shippers.
There are 18 of them, and it’s tricky to select the applicable one.
Consult with your carrier to make sure you classify your item(s)
properly, or you will leave yourself open to unexpected upcharges.
Package/prep properly. Remove handles, knobs, glass panels
and other protruding and/or delicate features from the shipping
item. Package these items carefully in a box with plenty of
cushioning material. These simple steps prevent damage and
make it easier for the LTL carrier to handle and stow your item.
Select the right carrier. Many people go wrong by selecting
an LTL carrier not well suited to the job at hand. Important things
to consider when selecting a carrier include experience handling
your type of item(s), familiarity with your pickup and delivery
areas, years of service and track record. Check online customer
reviews and company websites to get a sense of which carriers
are the right fit.
Make sure your shipment is adequately insured. All
LTL carriers have liability insurance, but the terms vary. If you
are shipping an expensive item, make sure your carrier has it
covered. If not, either the carrier or you can purchase additional
coverage at a reasonable cost.
Unitize your shipment. Boxes of small items and large items
such as dining room chairs can be unitized on a pallet to ease
handling and stowing, as well as prevent damage. Use plastic
stretch wrap film or plastic banding to secure items to the pallet.
Complete paperwork carefully. Customers go astray by doing
everything right up until this point, and then put the wrong
address on the bill of lading — this is how a lot of deliveries wind
up in, say, Kansas instead of Kentucky. Never complete shipping
paperwork in haste — it will cost you!
Track the shipment. Top LTL carriers provide easy tracking
options for customers because tracking is one of the best
ways to prevent costly shipping mistakes once the item has
been picked up. If you monitor the shipment, you can alert the
carrier to any issues (just in case the carrier has not spotted
the problem already).
Freight shipping is expensive enough without
adding to the cost by making avoidable
mistakes! Even experienced shippers
routinely shoot themselves in the foot by
committing these shipping mistakes, so
please review this checklist. It will help
you make your shipment on time at the
lowest possible cost.