EngineShipping.com

Frequently Asked Questions

When shipping an item via Motor Freight take the time to compare all the options available to you.
Be an informed shipper! Ask Questions!

What is a freight broker?
Very simply, it's an individual or a company that brings together a shipper that needs to transport goods with an authorized motor carrier that wants to provide the service. A freight broker falls into the category of transportation intermediary, which is a company that is neither a shipper nor an asset-owning carrier, but plays a role in the movement of cargo. Brokers provide an important and valuable service to both motor carriers and shippers. They help carriers fill the trucks and earn a commission for their efforts. They help shippers find reliable motor carriers that they (the shippers) might not have otherwise known about. In fact, some companies use brokers as their traffic department, allowing the broker to coordinate all their shipping needs.
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Why use a freight broker?
Many businesses have limited resources to staff an in-house traffic or logistics department. Instead, they source that work out to a freight management provider. These companies are in daily communication with the trucking industry and have the expertise to negotiate competitive freight rates while maintaining the customer’s delivery schedule. These providers are freight brokers. So, why use a freight broker?

A shipper’s core competency is in making and selling their product(s). The freight broker’s core competency is moving those products from origin to destination. It is very expensive for the shipper to have the in-house expertise to handle all of the details in getting a product from the manufacturer to the warehouse or from the warehouse to the retailer. Shippers will do better by focusing on what they do best and outsourcing the transportation to a freight broker.

A freight broker also has access to a much larger base of carriers than a shipper does. Even though the shipper may work with a number of carriers, the freight broker works with thousands of carriers, giving them the types and availability of equipment the shipper needs.

Freight brokers can use the size of their network and the volume of freight they manage as leverage for the best service at the best price. The majority of trucking companies do not have a sales staff. They rely on freight brokers to identify available loads. So, a carrier has a greater chance of securing regular moves because the broker is dealing with various shippers across the country.

Freight brokers maintain state-of-the-art telephone and computer dispatching systems that enable them to provide the shipper or the consignee with detailed load information. It is important to keep in touch with everyone in the transportation pipeline.

In summary, freight brokers serve as excellent transportation managers and consultants so the shipper can free up their resources to do other things.
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How long have you been in business?
We began our operations in 1994 and are based in Phoenix, AZ.
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What transportation services do you provide?
We offer full truckload, partial truckload, LTL motor freight, air freight and international services.
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What are your hours of operation?
Our office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday.
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What is a full truckload shipment?
A full truckload shipment is one where the entire truck is dedicated to the shipping of the freight.
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What is an LTL shipment?
An LTL shipment is a smaller weight shipment (usually under 10,000 lbs) that will move on a regular scheduled motor freight carrier. The rates for an LTL shipment are based on the origin and destination zip codes, the weight, and the product being shipped. An LTL shipment normally has a scheduled transit time (e.g. 3 days, 4 days, etc.) depending on the distance traveled.
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How are LTL transit times calculated?
Transit times begin counting on the first business day after the day of pickup until the day it delivers. Holidays and weekends are not counted.
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What types of freight will you not accept?
Our speciality is automotive shipments, such as engines, transmissions, etc. We do not accept Hazardous Materials (HM), or any shipments that require a refridgeration truck. Other than that we are open to any shipments!
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What territory do you cover?
We work all over the United States and into Canada. We also handle international shipments.
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How do you calculate truckload rates?
Truckload rates are based on a variety of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the origin city, destination city, miles, load-type (full or partial), customer requirements (e.g. urgency, loading and unloading requirements), and the most important of all, truck availability.
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What about insurance coverage for my freight?
Upon request we can issue insurance for any shipment. All insurance is done through a third party insurer to better protect both EngineShipping.com as well as our clients!
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How do I arrange for payment?
At EngineShipping.com we offer several ways to pay for your shipment. For customers who do not ship regularly, we accept MasterCard and Visa or a wire transfer. Payment is processed before the load is dispatched. We normally can establish a credit account within 3 business days. All credit decisions are made by the Accounting Department after a careful review of a customer’s credit history.
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When should I use a common carrier?
When your item weighs more than 150 lbs., truck transportation is more economical than using a parcel service. Common carriers transport your item on a truck with additional small shipments so that the costs for transportation are shared. If your shipment weighs more than 8,000 lbs, you may need an entire truck (or have a Truckload shipment).

Standard procedure for common carriers involves a truck driver backing up to a dock to be loaded by the consignor (shipper), and driving the cargo to the receiving destination to be unloaded by the consignee. Any service that isn't considered "standard procedure" may require additional fees.
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Are transit times guaranteed?
Transit times are guaranteed only if noted as such on the carrier options list returned for your quote. All other transit times are reliable, but not guaranteed. Transit times do not include the day of pickup.
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What happens if my shipment isn't ready when the driver comes?
Most commonly, the driver will not wait. The driver will be dispatched for the following day, which delays your service. You will be assessed a fee if the carrier charges for the duplicated pickup.
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Can I estimate the weight of my shipment?
If an inaccurate weight or class is used and a shipment is reweighed or re-classed by the carrier, those costs may be passed on to you. Reweighing may also delay delivery.
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What is the claims process?
Claims are handled directly between the shipper, consignee and the carrier. EngineShipping.com is not involved in the actual claims process and has no influence in the carrier's claim decision although we will provide any support we can. Claims with the carrier must be filed within 90 days of delivery. The claimant should only file for loss or damage on the product which was shipped. ALWAYS be as concise as possible in noting specific damage on the delivery receipt. Our representatives can coach you on filing a claim and provide the proper forms.
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What should I do with the Bill of Lading?
All parties involved should have a copy of the Bill of Lading (buyer, seller and carrier). It is imperative that the BOL be given to the truck driver when he makes the pickup. Keep one copy for your records.
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How should I package my shipments?
Please package, crate or stack on pallets securely to prevent damage. Secure cartons to the pallet with banding, shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap or breakaway adhesive. Improper packaging may void the carrier's liability for damage. Stack cartons squarely on the skid with no overhang. Be sure the top surface is flat. Labels must be placed on every piece or package.
See Packaging Tips
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Can I schedule a shipment and have it picked up on the same day?
Yes, but this service cannot be guaranteed due to our carriers' capacity.
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What is a NMFC number?
This is a numeric indicator that specifically identifies each type of product that can be shipped by a LTL carrier. The National Motor Freight Association presets these product classifications quarterly. It is always helpful to have the NMFC number on the Bill of Lading in order to avoid re-classification and accurately identify each product you ship.
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Do fees apply for residential service?
The carrier defines a business as a location that opens and closes to the general public at set times each day. Even if you open and close at set times, you may be considered a residence if you are located in a residential zone. Schools, colleges, and churches located in residential zones may also incur residential fees.

If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pickup or deliver a load instead of remaining on the dock or in his truck, additional fees may be applied.

When the shipping or receiving address does not have a loading dock, manual loading or unloading is necessary. A liftgate is a platform at the back of the truck that can raise and lower a shipment from the ground to the truck. Additional fees apply for this service.
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What happens if I receive a bill directly from a carrier?
Simply call our customer service department at 800.998.2100 and fax a copy of the bill you received. Our customer service staff will be happy to take care of it and have the charges properly credited. This situation usually occurs when the Engines Direct Freight BOL is not used. To prevent future problems, please make sure that the shipper gives the driver a copy of the Engines Direct BOL for every shipment.
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What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight is a standard formula used throughout the freight industry that considers a package's density when determining charges. Transportation charges are based on the gross weight of the shipment or the dimensional weight of the shipment; whichever is greater. Simply put, dimensional weight is when the weight of a package is inappropriately less than the actual size of the package. For example, a box filled with inflated balloons.
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When do dimensional weight charges apply?
When the actual weight of a package is less than the calculated dimensional weight, carriers charge by the dimensional weight.
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