Some courier providers increase accessorial fees during the busy holiday months of November and December. These include, but aren't limited to: over-length, over-weight, fragile, residential, signature, address change, multi-piece, and dangerous goods.
These simple tips can help keep your accessorial fees under control during the holidays:
Know Your Size
Package size isn't a "one-size-fits-all" price when shipping items. When preparing your shipment for pick-up, be mindful not only of the size of the parcel but also the weight of the contents. If a single piece is too heavy or too large, the courier will charge a surcharge; splitting it into more than one box may actually save you money.
LTL May Be the Way to Go
If your shipment consists of more than 4 pieces, or the total weight exceeds 200 lbs, you may be surprised to find that an LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) carrier costs you less. Many LTL carriers have competitive minimum charges and offer expedited road or economy rail service covering points across North America.
Be Mindful of Handling Fees
Special handling fees apply when your shipment cannot be easily processed on a conveyor belt. Examples include:
These fees can quickly add up to more than the actual shipping costs.
Avoid Manual Waybills
Couriers have invested millions into track-and-trace systems for real-time notifications. A manual, hand-written waybill increases the risk of data capture errors and makes accurate tracking difficult. Most couriers now charge a fee for manual waybills to encourage using their online systems, which minimizes the risk of error.