In the unpredictable LTL shipping industry, where potential issues are waiting around every corner, rebills are the bane of every shipper’s existence.

Below are five common rebills business shippers face on a regular basis and some recommended steps and tools for avoiding or at least minimizing them.

Weight

Many shippers get themselves into trouble by rounding to the nearest 100 pounds — and round number weights are usually a one-way ticket to a rebill. Buying a commercial scale is a relatively inexpensive solution. For around a grand, you can get a pallet jack scale with a digital readout. It’ll pay for itself in no time. Once you’ve got your scale, weigh your shipment before quoting and then capture proof by snapping a photo of the weight before it leaves your dock.

Dimensions

No matter how long you’ve been in this business, guesstimating your shipment’s dimensions from across the room or warehouse is a recipe for a rebill headache. Take a minute to carefully measure for precise dimensions, because the carrier definitely will – and they’ll be using lasers to get incredibly precise measurements.

In the event that there is a discrepancy between what was quoted and carrier’s invoice, it’s important to have documentation to dispute the difference. Having spec sheets or packing lists that have detailed information on weight and dimensions on file will help resolve disputes easily.

Location types

You may know your location type like the back of your hand, but most rebills are a result of what’s on the other side. Access may be limited or certain services may be required of which you unaware. Google Maps is a terrific way to avoid this headache. The world is photographed, so if you don’t know exactly what the other side of your shipment looks like, a few minutes on the front end with Google Maps can save hours later of dealing with a rebill.

Services – Verify with the receiver exactly what they’ll need. Don’t assume they have a forklift, or that they’re always at the location, ready to accept freight. Double check whether the business closes for lunch and their hours of operation.

BOL – Always use a bill of lading. There’s no sheet of paper that can so effectively make or break a shipment. If you don’t have the necessary information, your shipment might go to the wrong location or could end up being billed to the wrong party.

When you’re booking freight, slow down and take these steps above. With a little prep work, you’ll avoid the annoyance and cost of rebills, making your freight shipments more efficient, pleasant, and predictable.

 

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This has led to general rate increases on non-contract freight by LTL carriers while also yielding higher rates on carriers’ contract renewals, according to SJ Consulting Group.

For less-than-truckload business shippers, especially those without the volumes to command contract rates and deep discounts, the answer may be going carrier-direct in the open market.

The uShip LTL marketplace lets shippers of any size and shape compare rates and reviews – and then book instantly. No contract. No phone calls. No hassle.

Based on the Journal of Commerce Top 50 LTL Carriers list released earlier this month, LTL shippers can get access to direct rates from 21 of those 50 carriers, including 10 of the top 12. See a list of the Top 25 below.

In all, the Top 50 did $35.6 billion in revenue in 2016, a 0.4% drop from 2015, but so far this year, capacity has further tightened, even before truckload freight, which typically doesn’t happen.

As you go about your carrier selection process, here are Five Pro Tips for Booking Through uShip’s LTL Marketplace:

1. Use Google Maps for Location Types.

   Avoid unnecessary charges by using Google Maps to confirm the accuracy of the location type you’re choosing. Get both street and aerial views of specific addresses, and determine if there’s a loading dock.

2. Dimensions Matter, Use a Tape Measure.

   uShip rates freight strictly on density, meaning the dimensions and weight you quote are converted to pounds per cubic feet (PCF); the more accurate your dimensions and weight, the more accurate the shipment will be invoiced from your chosen carrier. We recommend using a tape measure and taking photos whenever possible in case the shipment is remeasured and/or rebilled.

3. Weight Matters, Too.

   Remember, quotes are based on density, so weight is just as important as dimensions to ensure accurate rates. A commercial scale is ideal, but if that’s not available, a manufacturer’s spec sheet of your product can help determine weight. Don’t forget to include packaging in your weight estimate. Carriers have scales on their forklifts to quickly measure shipments, so having your backup information can be helpful if there’s a reweigh.

4. Accessorials.

   No one likes surprises, especially when it involves freight. We recommend confirming services required to complete pickup and delivery.

If you’re unsure about required liftgate, appointments on delivery and more, a simple email or phone call before quoting can save you time and money down the road.

      5. Read Reviews.

Competitive price may be important, but trust and reliability are cornerstones of this business. On uShip, each LTL carrier is required to have a public profile. These include unbiased reviews from real customers, along with other background and experience details. Taking a few minutes to read through these can earn trust and peace of mind.

At uShip, we want nothing more than to help you ship successfully. We offer a host of articles in our uShip Help Center, a great page to bookmark for future reference.

Here’s the Top 25. For the full list, visit the Journal of Commerce.

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What is a Border Adjustment Tax?

A border adjustment essentially adds a tax at the border to imports and subtracts it from exports, impacting everything from auto-parts manufacturers, toy companies, apparel companies, and retailers, to name a few.

For example, under the proposed tax code, if you’re a toy company that imports raw materials or finished product from China, you wouldn’t be allowed to deduct the cost of those goods from your U.S. taxes. However, if you export product out of the U.S., it would be exempted or not counted as income on your U.S. taxes.

As the Wall Street Journal reported, its impact could be felt deeply by small business owners, including shipping volumes and other logistical considerations.

Border Adjustment Tax | Impact on Business Owners

Many small business owners fear potential layoffs or raise prices as they deal with increased cost of goods sold. Some say they’d have to shut down entirely.

More than 95 percent of U.S. importers have fewer than 250 employees, according to 2014 U.S. Census data. If the proposal tax plan change happens, many don’t have the cash reserves to weather the storm or flexibility to re-align their supply chains to get the tax breaks.

Meanwhile, small businesses who export or produce domestically view it as an opportunity for a level playing field.

Those who support the plan say the dollar will rise to offset the tax change. According to the WSJ, “Economists say that the tax change would help push up the dollar—which would in turn lowering the cost of imports and help to offset the extra taxes.”

So, what are we really talking about here when it comes to tax liability and tax benefits?

Here’s generally how it would work, according to an example used in the article:

What questions remain around the Border-Adjustment Tax Plan?

The bill hasn’t been released yet, and a lot still needs to be resolved, including how to treat financial services who do a lot of cross-border transactions that don’t really qualify as traditional imports.

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