General Shipping Guide

Certain responsibilities lie with the shipper for all LTL and TL shipments. These responsibilities apply across the board with all freight carrier companies.

Proper packaging, address labeling, shipment loading and unloading, and proper shipment documents (BOL provided to you by us: BOL Shipper.pdf or BOL Shipper.xls) are required by all carriers and are the responsibility of the shipper. These are things that your shipping agent will assist you with, but you can get a good idea here on the web site of what to expect, along with some resourceful ideas on packaging and other need-to-know info.

Packaging

Packaging, in most cases, will be the main protection (insurance) against shipment damage (unless factory new/factory packed). All the insurance in the world won't protect an improperly packaged shipment from damage. The main thing to remember is to use your best judgment when packaging an item for shipment. Remember, LTL shipments require a stronger packing than FTL shipments.

Delicate items should be packed on a stable base and covered in a way to eliminate exposure to scratching or dinging. Crating, pallets, and heavy gauge cardboard should be considered for delicate items.

Heavier, tougher items (like a cast iron stove, for example) wouldn't need to be packed so carefully, but mobility must still be kept in mind.

Your best judgment applies to packaging all the many millions of items currently being shipped across America. Don't worry, our shipping agents are available to assist you through the entire shipment process, from the moment you decide to ship until your shipment reaches its destination. Just give us a call!

Proper Labeling

Shipping labels must be placed on every piece of your shipment. Origin and destination information must match exactly with the bill of lading. DOT hazardous material labels are required when shipping DOT hazardous materials.

Shipment Loading and Unloading

Shipment loading and unloading is also the responsibility of the shipper. When using commercial or terminal locations with a loading dock, this is not an issue. But for residential pickup and/or delivery this is a detail to be considered. In many cases you may want to plan on having friends, relatives, or neighbors on standby to help with the loading and unloading. In some cases additional services such as lift gate may be required, but the additional costs are to be considered. Always remember a "truck driver" does just what the title implies: drive the truck. The driver is never responsible for loading or unloading, although under reasonable circumstances he or she may help. It all goes back to using your best judgment.

Shipping Documents

Proper shipping documents, presented to the driver at the point of origin, are also the responsibility of the shipper. These documents, along with simple instructions, will be made available to you by your shipping agent.

BOL (Bill of Lading). A correct bill of lading ensures an accurate invoice, and therefore accurate freight charges. If your company does not generate your own bills of lading, contact us and we will be happy to provide you with our BOL.

Loading and weight balance

On Full Truck Loads it is important to consider that the balance of the weight in the axles of the trailer is required. This is responsibility of the shipper as the driver does not have information on the weight of the loads. Please make sure that the load is correctly balanced in weight.

Explanation of Rate Scale

We have a general rate schedule for LTL shipments accrued on a per pallet basis, considering a maximum weight of up to 660 Lbs per pallet and a maximum dimension of 48 x 40 x 94 tall. Additional pounds are billed on a 0.20 Usd per additional Lb. If you need to know your cost just look into the table, match the number of pallets with the zone your consignee location is at. Check origin of the table and determine the price. Then, summarize the total weight and determine if the total weight is below the maximum weight allowed for the rate. If not, substract the maximum allowed weight from the total weight and multiply the result (in Lbs) by 0.20. The total is the additional charge you need to add the the base rate for overweight. After that, carefully review terms and conditions in order to determine if your load might be subject to accesorial charges. If your cartons or pallet measure more than the limits, please refer to the rules for the rate schedule (Link Rules Rate Schedule). You may call us at any time to answer any question you may have. Or, you may request from us a quote for your load in case you feel you are not comfortable with your result. For FTL rates you need to request a quote for your load. You may call 1-800-559-2923, fax 1-800-621-0353 or email sales@spacelogistics.net, or fill the form online

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Documentation:

• Declare prohibited or controlled (hazardous materials or other controlled products) goods before requesting a pick up or shipment
• Declare food or food related merchandise before requesting a pick up or shipment
• Declare merchandise manufactured with natural raw materials before requesting a pick up or shipment
• Packing list should include a list of product with USE and MATERIAL.
• If you are exporting your product to Mexico, it is important to consider that in Mexico, in order to import product your customer or consignee will require a special register called “Padron de Importadores”. Please advise if they do not have this register as we may obtain this register for a one time use for an additional fee.
• If you are importing your product to the US, it is important to consider that in the US, in order to import product, you or the consignee should maintain an import bond in file. If this bond is not on file we can obtain a one time bond for an additional fee. Our LTL rates already include this fee.
• Do not pack with used cartons that may have other tags different than your product. This may cause confusions and complications during border crossing.
• If you are contracting a shipment and you are an importer in the US, please make sure that the exporter in Mexico will comply with all export regulations in Mexico and import regulations in the US. Please make sure that your exporter (vendor) will follow our guidelines for exporting from Mexico
• For international shipments all products and cartons should be marked “Made in” the country of origin.
• Please make sure that each and all of the cartons are marked with name of the shipper and the consignee. Otherwise, when the product is revised or examined at intensive examinations practiced at the border it may be lost if not tagged properly due to the mix up occasionally provoked by such revisions.

Every load transiting in Mexico will require as basic documentation an invoice from a Mexican company or an invoice from a foreign company with an import declaration attached.

Every load transiting in the US will require as basic documentation an invoice from a US company or an invoice from a foreign company with an import declaration attached.

Also consider that in Mexico, the importer or consignee is required to pay IVA (Sales Tax) of the goods being imported at the moment of processing the importation of the goods into Mexico.

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FULL TRUCK LOAD SHIPMENTS

• We recommend you to purchase extra insurance for your load if your load is crossing the border into Mexico or if it is coming from Mexico. In Mexico there is no law requiring insurance of the cargo. Therefore, the Mexican transit is not insured by law. We offer insurance for this part at an additional fee. Please ask for further details.
• Please make sure to close the trailers door once you finalize loading the truck. Please make sure that a seal is placed in the door of the trailer after loading. Do not let the driver leave your facility without a seal. Please write in the Bill of Lading (BOL) seal number, name of driver, drivers ID details and plates of the trailer and truck. For further protection we recommend to add a lock to the door of the trailer and write it down in the BOL.
• If you are receiving the load, please make sure to read and write in the BOL or POD (Proof of delivery) the seal number received in order to verify it against the seal number used at origin or during revisions or inspections.
• If you request a full truck load, it is important that you write both in the letter of instructions and in the BOL the exact number of pieces in the load, the invoice number, value of the load and weight of the load. If you do not have this information at the time of requesting the load, then please write in observations that final information will be provided after loading the truck and we will send you a BOL with this information in blank. You will need to fill up these missing information (weight, number of pieces, invoice number and value) and will fax back to 800-621-0353 as soon as the truck is loaded and before the driver leaves your facility.
• Please provide to the driver a package with copies of the invoice and packing list. This will help in case the truck is subject to an examination from any federal or state authority in Mexico or in the US.