Shipping FAQs: Most Common Shipping Questions
Do you need help understanding freight classification? Or those pesky parcel shipping fees? Or do you have a lot of shipping questions on a variety of different topics? Regardless of what information you seek, Unishippers is here to help.
Our customers are assigned a franchise team that helps with all their shipping needs. That includes everything from implementing shipping services to overhauling their shipping strategy and answering any and all questions. Bottom line, our shippers get top-notch shipping solutions for small business from an industry-leading third-party logistics (3PL) partner.
We also provide a wealth of tips and resources — like this shipping FAQ. Here we answer the most common shipping questions we get from new customers. If shippers need assistance with a topic not listed here, our franchises are ready to help!
General Shipping FAQs
Your franchise shipping partner is always here to help you! Whether you have a simple question about documents or need to add a service to your shipping strategy, your team will walk you through the steps and ensure you are set up for success. No question is too small or too big. Our success is tied directly to yours. We treat our relationship with you as a partnership!
Absolutely. Unishippers is part of the largest non-retail authorized reseller of UPS® in the nation. That means we get top rates and services from an industry-leading parcel carrier. We also provide extensive freight shipping solutions and have a network of 75+ less-than-truckload (LTL) and 85,000+ full truckload (FTL) carriers. We combine these solutions with our 30+ years in the industry to optimize your shipping strategy for maximum results. Learn more about parcel and freight options and how to determine which one is right for your shipments.
Yes! MyUnishippers™, our transportation management system (TMS), will be the hub of almost all your shipping activity. It allows you to customize your invoice to meet your specific needs and track your shipment for better visibility and customer communication. It also allows you to create shipments, add insurance, compare rates and many other tasks. Learn more in our TMS FAQ.
Your franchise team will assist you with all matters regarding parcel and freight claims. They can help you better understand the process, fill out related paperwork and move toward successful claims resolution. We also have many resources that you can utilize, including comprehensive guides for freight claims and parcel claims.
Using our TMS, shippers can easily add insurance coverage for both small package and freight shipments. Unishippers partners with UPS Capital® for insurance, giving shippers access to industry-leading coverage with affordable rates and maximum options.
Unishippers provides an in-depth transportation management system FAQ that will answer many important questions. This resource will detail how to create a shipment, add insurance, view invoices and more. And as always, your franchise team is here to help you with any challenges or shipping questions you have regarding the TMS. They can walk you through the platform and provide expertise on how to use it.
Parcel Shipping FAQs
UPS offers a variety of delivery options that help shippers with their unique shipping needs and budget. That includes UPS® Ground, UPS Next Day Air® Early, UPS 3 Day Select® and other services. Learn more in our guide to UPS domestic delivery options. Your franchise shipping partner will also help you select the UPS delivery options that make the most sense for your shipments and deadlines.
Unishippers is your complete shipping partner. That means we provide nearly every service you will need to move your small package shipments. That includes international shipping, UPS pickup services, insurance coverage, e-commerce integrations, technology solutions (including a TMS) and more. We are your full-service shipping partner!
Unforeseen or unexpected shipping fees can impact your bottom line and profitability. Your franchise team can help you understand these fees and create strategies to mitigate them. They can even conduct an invoice audit to analyze which fees are avoidable or help you plan for those that aren't. Learn more in our guide to small package shipping fees.
UPS offers pickup services where a driver will visit your location and take your small packages away on the first leg of their journey. This provides affordable convenience for busy shippers. You can choose from multiple options that best fit your pickup needs, including daily and Saturday pickup. Learn more in our guide to UPS pickup services.
Yes, you can! Unishippers provides innovative technology solutions, including integration capabilities that allow many popular e-commerce platforms to work seamlessly with our TMS. This creates an all-in-one process that provides greater convenience and efficiency for both you and your customers. Learn more about our e-commerce integrations.
Freight Shipping FAQs
Unishippers offers a wide range of freight shipping services, including common solutions like less-than-truckload (LTL) for shipments that are too big for parcel but can’t fill an entire truck. We also offer full truckload (FTL) shipping solutions for shipments that are larger, fragile or time sensitive. Our carrier network of 75+ LTL and 85,000+ FTL carriers gives shippers access to top rates and premium options.
Unishippers provides a full suite of freight solutions beyond LTL and FTL freight options. That includes specialty shipping services like hazmat, expedited and white glove shipping. We also provide international shipping solutions, such as air, ocean and cross-border freight shipping. Your franchise team will help you determine when you need services beyond standard options.
Accessorial fees are often called "hidden" or "unforeseen" expenses and can impact your profitability. Unishippers can help you develop strategies to mitigate these charges and save money. We can even do an invoice audit to determine which fees are impacting you the most. Finally, we can help you dispute claims that you feel were unjust or not performed at all. Learn more in our guide to accessorial fees.
If you ship LTL, you will need to understand how freight class works. It’s a complex concept, and if not performed correctly, you may be assessed re-classification fees. Your Unishippers team can help you better understand freight class and provide expertise on how to manage it. Additionally, our TMS will allow you to save and easily access your commonly used freight classifications for efficiency. In the meantime, check out our guide to freight classification.
Freight invoices and bills of lading (BOL) are often confused with one another. Learn about these two essential documents and more in our guide to freight documentation. If you need additional assistance, your franchise shipping partner is here to help you understand how to best manage the sometimes-confusing world of freight documents.
The Unishippers network of 75+ LTL and 85,000+ FTL carriers was carefully curated based on many factors. We look for carriers with impeccable backgrounds, appropriate insurance coverage and proper technology capabilities. Just as important, we ensure our carriers are dedicated to shipper success and value long-term partnerships. Learn more about our carrier partners.
Unishippers is a shipping partner dedicated to your complete success!
Do you have shipping questions? You aren’t alone. Moving products from location to another can get complicated — without the right help. Your Unishippers franchise is here to ensure your success with top-rated small business shipping solutions. If you have a question that wasn’t answered in this shipping FAQ or need shipping advice and expertise, reach out today!
Unishippers: The 3PL Made for SMB Shippers
Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique shipping challenges. Learn how Unishippers can help SMBs like you navigate these challenges — and save in the process!