How to Lower the Costs of Shipping in Canada

Expedite or Express Shipments often have higher costs than courier or next day delivery. You can make significant differences in shipping costs by:

• Requesting the proper vehicle for your shipment
• Providing accurate dimensions & weight
• Determining the time of transit and delivery
• Provide proper packaging for transit

The best way to guarantee that a shipment will not be damaged in transit is to load it onto one vehicle that is going directly to the destination without transferring to another vehicle. 

The disadvantage is often that the in-transit vehicle, which is carrying the freight, is limited by the drivers regulated hours behind the wheel.

In this article we examine the advantages and disadvantages of using a Straight Truck or 5 Ton for rapid freight delivery or express courier.

Straight Truck: Speed of Delivery, Weight, and Size Attributes

• Size Measurement through open roll-up or barn door;

• L288″ x W96″ x H96″

• Weight restrictions

• 9000lbs – 30,000 lbs

• Speed

• Driving restrictions differ between Canada and the USA.  Trucks over specified weight designations are subject to inspection for log book hours of operation.  Failure to adhere to these restrictions exposes the driver to severe fines and/or load confiscation.  In order for the freight to be in transit for more than 12 hours, a second driver is required to take over.

PROS:

• Easy to dock level load via rear roll-up or barn door, up to twelve skids
• Over-sized skids can be accommodated
• Can easily transfer loads from one truck to another if needed

CONS:

• Dimensions through door opening will limit shipment size
• Weight and shipment lengths are limited
• Transit time restricted by regulated hours of operation

As always, the shipping companies can get your freight shipping in Canada or the USA faster when they have all the details required.

Speed

• When is the shipment ready for pick up?
• When does it need to be delivered?
• Will there be a receiver at the delivery location?
• Do you have contact information and operational hours for the receiver?
• Is there any special equipment required for pick up or delivery?

Weight

• How much does the skid weigh in total – freight plus skid weight?

Size of the shipment

• What are the exact dimensions and weight of the shipment?
• What are the sizes of the skids, L x W x H?
• Are there any overhangs for any skids?
• Are tall skids secured from tipping?

You can lower your shipping costs by providing the shipper the size, weight and speed of delivery information.
[top]

How to Lower Shipping Costs for Trucks

Whether it’s a local delivery Kitchener or shipping cross border, express freight, or same day shipping, you can make significant reductions in shipping costs by having the proper vehicle for your freight.  The sooner the shipment needs to be delivered, the more costs involved.  The best way to guarantee that a shipment will not be damaged is to load it onto one vehicle that is going directly to the destination without transferring to another vehicle.

In this article, we are going to examine the advantages and disadvantages of using a Cargo Van for rapid freight delivery or courier service.  Trucks have variable size doors through which cargo can be loaded.

Size, Weight, Speed of Delivery

Cargo Van – Size, Weight, Speed limitations

Size Measurement through open loading door;

• L 120” x W48” x H47”

Weight Limits

• 2500 – 4000 lbs

Speed

• At present there are no driving restrictions.  Cargo vans may travel 24 hours per day.  Be aware of restrictions by traffic and border logs.

PROS:  Easy to ground load, can load two skids +, can side load and rear load, can travel with few time restrictions.

CONS: Dimensions through entrances limit shipment size, weight limits, shipment length limits

What the shipper needs to know when you call to order a pick up.

Size of the shipment 

• What are the exact dimensions and weight of the shipment?
• What are the sizes of the skids, L x W x H?
• Are there any overhangs for any skids?
• Are tall skids secured from tipping?
• How long (L) are the skiids
• How wide (W) are the skids
• How high (H) are the skids?

Weight

• How much does the skid weigh in total – freight plus skid weight?
• Will there be a forklift to off-load at destination for heavy skids?

Speed

• When is the shipment ready for pick up?
• When does it need to be delivered, day and time?
• Will there be a receiver at the delivery location, eg deliver Kitchener?
• What are the hours of receiving?
• Contact information for the receiver?
• Any special equipment required for pick up or delivery?

You improve your chances of lowering your shipping costs by providing as much information as possible to the shipping company about size, weight and speed of delivery.may