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FAQS

LFS Terms & Conditions.

1. What type of LTL services do you offer?

You can rely on us for different LTL services, such us white glove, freezable protection, tradeshow, time critical, and loose boxes.

2. Are there any restrictions regarding the type of cargo you can handle?

LFS does not handle artwork, household goods, live animals, mercury, explosive and radioactive material, among other items, such as guns, plants, and medical and human remains which are only shipped by specific carriers.

3. Is the transit time provided on your rates guaranteed?

Transit days are estimated. LTL carriers in the US don’t guarantee delivery on a certain date for standard shipments, they only do it for Guaranteed Services.

4. What is a Guaranteed Service and what is the difference between Standard, Guaranteed, Time Critical, and Expedited Services?

Guaranteed Standard service gets your freight to the destination on the standard-service delivery day you say. Please note that pickups are never guaranteed, not even on guaranteed services.

Time Critical services offer fewer transit days than standard services and the delivery date is guaranteed.

Expedited Services: Expedited delivery services refer to LTL shipments that typically move on a dedicated service directly from Point A to Point B. Using a dedicated truck means that your shipment not only will move in shorter transit times but also, you will benefit from customized handling (reduced handling caused by fewer stops).

5. What is the pickup window required to schedule a same-day pickup?

When requesting a pickup, you need to do it at least 3 hours before the specified pickup hour. Usually, most carriers roll over for next day pickups all requests sent after 3:00 PM.

6. Can I request the driver to take certain documents in hand when picking up a load? How does it work?

When a driver needs to have documents on hand for pick up, the documentation must be sent to LFS before 4:00 PM to schedule the pickup the next business day. Trucker in charge might not carry the cargo documentation since this is not a formal procedure established by the carrier at the time of the pick-up, which is the reason why we do recommend you send a copy of the documentation to the shipper.

7. What should I do if I receive an incorrect Weight Inspection?

If you receive a notification of extra charges caused by a weight inspection which you consider is incorrect, you should send us supporting documents such as commercial invoice, packing list, AWB, Warehouse Receipt (this document alone is not enough) and proof of commodity. All of these documents should reflect the weight initially quoted in order to submit the dispute to the carrier.

8. How can I make sure that your rates are valid?

The first thing you should know is that the offered rates apply if the cargo is well packed and palletized and in proper and optimal stow and conditions for the requested service, otherwise the carrier is free to reject the cargo at the time of pick up.

On the other hand, please note that rates may change if the characteristics of the Freight (weight, dimensions, pieces, commodity) vary from those stated on the initial quote.

1. What are the benefits of FTL Shipping?

  • It’s the best option to ship loads with great volume.
  • Reduced loss and damage risks given that there will be less handling in transit and your freight won’t be subject to consolidation or deconsolidation process.
  • Dedicated service: Direct service, no stops.
  • Speed.
  • Ideal for a variety of shipments.

2. When should I consider PTL – partial truck load instead of LTL services?

If you have too much product for an LTL shipment, but not enough product for FTL, Partial Truckload may be the right fit for you. This type of shipment typically stays on one truck from origin to destination and is not accessible during the trip.

There’s no manipulation at terminals so the risk of damages is lower, plus PTL offers a better transit time than LTL.

3. What types of equipment do you handle?

We can handle everything from Dryvan, Flatbed, Reefer/ Temperature controlled, Stepdeck, Lowboy, Specialized, Cargo van, Straight truck, etc.

4. Which territories do you cover?

We offer nationwide coverage in the US, plus we offer door to door services between the US, Canada, and Mexico.

5. What is the maximum height for Flatbed, Stepdeck, and Lowboy?

  • Max Height Flatbed: 102”
  • Max Height Stepdeck: 126”
  • Max Height Lowboy: 144”

6. When should you use a Flatbed instead of a Dry Van?

Dry Van trailers are enclosed trailers that require the freight to be loaded and unloaded from the back of the trailer.

On the other hand, Flatbed trailers have open sides and back, which make them ideal in the following cases:

  • When freight cannot be loaded or unloaded from a standard dock.
  • When you need to ship large or oversized cargo which would not fit in a standard trailer.
  • If cargo exceeds 6000lbs – 7000lbs we must check with shipping and receiving if they have the proper equipment to load and unload from a closed trailer.

7. What does it mean to switch the pieces lenght x width?

When you load partials or dry vans, optimizing the linear ft is one of the most important things you need to do.

For instance: 12 pallets standard loaded 48×40 will take up to 24 linear ft, but if you rotate them loading them 40 as length and 48 as width, it will take up to 20 linear ft, saving you some money.

8. What is a Detention extra charge and why is it charged?

Detention, also known as “waiting time”, is when Carrier’s vehicle is delayed beyond the allowed free time, by Consignor/Consignee for loading or unloading on, or near the premises of Consignor/Consignee.

Detention charges will begin upon expiration of the applicable free time allowed, and will end when the pup/set or vehicle is loaded or unloaded and is available for movement.

Rates include 2 hour loading and 2 hour unloading. ($80.00/ Extra hour).

For local hauls (within 100 miles), rate includes 1 hour for loading and 1 hour for unloading. $80.00/ Extra hour.

For shipments with multiple stops, rate includes 1 hour for loading and 1 hour for unloading at each location. $80.00/ Extra hour.

9. Who is responsible for securing the load (straps chains) or cover it with tarps?

The driver is responsible for securing the cargo. Shipper is the one that loads and unloads, but driver is the one that puts the securing accesorials or protective tarps to the cargo.

If the cargo is oversize, driver might need help from shipper to tarp the load.

10. Who provides the placards for hazmat loads?

Regularly the shipper does this, when is Hazmat cargo it must have all the proper requirements for shipping up to date.

Sometimes drivers can provide placards if the request is done with days in advance.

11. What is Tanker Endorsement?

The FMCSA defines a Tank vehicle as any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis.

1. What is container drayage?

Drayage is defined as the trucking of containerized cargo and it has two main characteristics:

  • These are usually short hauls that don’t exceed a 400 miles radius. In the case of long-hauls, there are three options: local dray + Transloading + FTL/Rail, direct dray from port (OTR Long Haul) or drayfrom a close Ramp (must be confirmed with SSL).
  • These are round trips. Since containers belong to SSLs (Steam Ship Lines), they must be returned to them once the service has been completed.

2. How does it work?

When it comes to Imports, the container is picked up at the Port or Ramp before its LFD, then it is taken to the warehouse for unloading, which can be either live unload or drop and pick. Once delivery is completed, the empty container is taken back to the port or ramp.

On the other hand, when we’re talking about Exports, the process begins picking up the empty container at the Port or Ramp, then it is taken to the warehouse for loading, which can be live load or drop and pick. Finally, container loaded is taken to the port or ramp.

3. Do you offer transloading services?

Yes, we do offer transloading at the main ports in the US. As well Stevedoring services (specialized transloading for Heavy/Oversized Cargo).

4. Which territories do you cover in the US?

We offer nationwide coverage. We cover every port and ramp in the US and most of Canada and given that we have several strategic partners in each location, we can always offer a wide variety of options.

5. What type of equipment do you handle?

We can handle everything from standard (20 and 40, 40ft HC) to 20 and 40 FR, Reefer, OT, as well as OOG and IG, and Hazardous Material.

6. What is a chassis split?

A chassis split occurs when the Chassis is picked up from or returned to a different location than the container. Location change request could come from the terminal (Chassis) or SSL (Container), based on their needs and capacities.

7. Why should I use a ramp instead?

Ramps are a better option in terms of price and it’s more competitive to do the dray from the Port, when lane is a long-haul. Normally SSL's move the Containers to these locations, via Rail, to be more cost effective by keeping the dray to the minimum mileage possible.