Shipping & Receiving Guide

WELCOME to AmeriTruck's Guide to Shipping and Receiving, designed to help you master a few of the more common rules, regulations, and practices that go along with successful shipping and receiving. You'll find information and tips on how to package, bundle and secure your freight as well as prepare documents correctly.

We're hope you'll find the information and tips helpful no matter what type of business you're in!

Before You Send Your Goods...

Taking a few moments before the driver arrives will make shipping your goods trouble-free:

1. Prepare your packaging
Secure packaging helps ensure trouble-free shipping. All goods should be protected with proper packaging. When loading pallets, follow the ideas found under Prepare your packaging

2. Proper labeling
Proper labelling on each piece is required to ensure that your shipment arrives intact. Label placement is important too. Follow the examples found under Proper labeling

3. Complete a bill of lading
The Bill of Lading is a legal contract between you, the shipper, and the carrier. It should state exactly what is being shipped, where it's coming from and where it's going to, etc. Follow the ideas found under Complete a Bill of Lading
Fill out a Bill of Lading online.

4. Complete custom documents:
When shipping cross-border, be sure to include proper documents along with your Bill of Lading.

Shipping from Canada to the USA
o Export's certificate of origin

Shipping from USA to Canada
o Canada customs invoice
o Certificate of Origin

5. Place a pickup order
When requesting a pickup, give your carrier sufficient notice. The carrier will ask where the shipment is going, how much it weighs, if it is ready to be picked up, how late the shipment can be picked up, and who is paying the charges. Request a Pick Up on line.
Hint: Call early in the morning to ensure a sameday pickup.

6. Receiving Freight:
What about when you're on the other end of a freight move?

7. How to Submit a Claim
If a shipment is either short or damaged you should still accept the delivery. After you accept the shipment, take steps to protect the shipment from further loss and file a claims form for the actual shortage(s) or damage(s) involved promptly. Follow the steps listed under "How to submit a claim"