Shipping Terms

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LESS THAN TRUCKLOAD (LTL)

Goods weighing less than 10,000 pounds from several shippers loaded onto one trailer.

TRUCKLOAD (TL)

Large volume shipment from a single customer that weighs more than 10,000 pounds or takes up all the trailer space so no other shipment can be loaded.

INTERMODAL

Shipment moved by more than one mode of transportation (ground, air, rail, or ocean). Also called multimodal.

REEFER

A Refrigerated trailer with insulated walls and a self powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food.

DRAYAGE

The hauling of a load by cart with detachable sides.

FLATBED

A semi trailer with no sides and with the floor of the unit a standard height from the ground.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL (HAZMAT)

Hazardous materials are defined by the US Department of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Material Law. A substance or material may be designated as hazardous if the transportation of the material in a particular amount and form poses an unreasonable risk to health and safety. Hazardous material may include: compressed gas, oxidizing or corrosive material, an explosive, flammable or combustible liquid or solid, or radioactive material.

PARTIAL

Part of a shipment.

WHITE GLOVE SERVICE

Start to finish service for sensitive shipments or fragile items that require special care.

LIFTGATE SERVICE

When the shipping or receiving location does not have a loading dock and manual loading or unloading is necessary. A liftgate is a platform on the back of certain trucks that can raise and lower a shipment from the ground to the truck. Additional fees apply for this service.

LINE HAUL

The movement of freight over the routes of a transportation line from one town or city to another town or city.

LONG HAUL

A distance of more than 500 miles.

BACK HAUL

Freight secured to fill equipment which would otherwise return to base empty.

RESIDENTIAL DELIVERY

If you are shipping to or from a business in a residential zone (among personal homes or dwellings) or to or from a residence, the carrier may charge and additional fee.

THIRD PARTY SHIPMENT

A shipment in which the person who arranges the shipment is neither the originating nor the receiving destination. CJC Transport is a third party that makes the arrangements for the shipper and receiver.

INSIDE PICKUP OR DELIVERY

When the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pick up or deliver a shipment. Additional fees will be charged for this service.

CARTAGE

Local hauling between locations in the same town, city, or contiguous municipalities. Usually it is the local movement of a LTL shipment.

BLIND SHIPMENT

When the customer has contracted with the carrier so that the shipper or consignee information is not given. This keeps the origin location and receiving destination unaware of each other and provides two separate Bills of Lading in which both show the carrier's terminal as the shipper or the receiver.

BULK FREIGHT

Freight not in packages or containers.

DISPATCH

The act of sending a driver on his/her assigned route with instructions and required shipping papers.

OVERAGE

The number of units received is in excess of the quantity shown on shipping documents.

SHORTAGE

The number of units received is less than the quantity shown on shipping documents.

JUST IN TIME (JIT)

A production strategy that delivers goods to the production line only when needed, reducing in-process inventory and associated carrying costs.

LIMITED ACCESS

A service point which may or may not be serviceable pending freight specifications. Additional fees may apply for this.

ACCESSORIAL CHARGES

Charges made for performing services beyond normal pickup and delivery. Inside delivery, liftgate service, limited access delivery, residential delivery, fuel surcharge, etc.

BILL OF LADING (BOL)

A binding contract between the shipper and the carrier which serves as a receipt for the goods delivered to the transportation provider and a definition or description of the goods.

CARGO CLAIM

A demand made on a transportation company for payment for goods allegedly lost or damaged while the shipment was in the transportation providers possession.

COLLECT

A term denoting that transportation charges are to be paid at the point of destination by the receiver. Shipments should never be paid collect when working with CJC Transport. We are responsible for the billing and payment of all of our shipments.

CASH ON DELIVERY (COD)

When the receiver of goods pays the carrier directly upon delivery. COD payments should never be made when working with CJC Transport. We are responsible for organizing the carrier payment.

DELIVERY RECEIPT

The document a consignee or its agent dates and signs at delivery stating the condition of the goods at delivery. Abbreviated DR or POD (proof of delivery).

COMMODITY

Any article of commerce. Goods shipped.

COSIGNEE

The person or place to whom the goods are addressed (destination).

DENSITY

The relationship of the weight of a shipment to the physical space it occupies

FUEL SURCHARGE

An extra charge imposed by the carriers due to the excessive costs for diesel gas. The charge is a percentage based upon the US National Average Diesel Fuel Index.

FREIGHT CLASS

Refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) and it is the category of your freight as defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). Your shipments freight class identifies the size, value, and difficulty of transporting the freight and it determines the carrier's shipping charges.

FREIGHT BROKER

A person who sells transportation without actually providing it.

FREIGHT BILL

A bill rendered by a transportation line, giving a description of the freight, the name of the consignee and shipper, point of origin, weight, and amount of charges.

NATIONAL MOTOR
FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION (NMFC)

Industry standard tariff published by motor carriers containing rules, descriptions, and rating on all products moving in commerce. Used to classify goods to rate the freight bill. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns NMFC item numbers to all products along with a freight class. This number identifies what you are shipping and its freight class.

PRO NUMBER

A number or combination of numbers used by a carrier to identify a Freight Bill.

REDILEVERY OR RECONSIGNMENT FEE

After a failed delivery attempt, the carrier will assess a fee for having to deliver the freight again.

REWEIGH AND INSPECTION FEE

If the carrier suspects that the weight or class of your shipment is inaccurate, they may charge a fee to reweigh and re-class your shipment.

TARIFF

A document setting forth applicable rules, rates, and charges to move goods. A tariff sets forth a contract for the shipper, the consignee, and the carrier.

SURCHARGE

A charge above the usual or customary charge.

VOLUME RATE

A rate applicable in connection with a specified volume of freight.

OPEN AIR CAR TRAILER

A car carrier with no sides and no roof so the vehicles are exposed to the elements. This is the most common and readily available type of trailer used for auto transportation.

STRAIGHT TRUCK

A pick up and delivery vehicle not having separate tractor and trailer units.

SEMI-TRAILER

A freight hauling trailer without motor power designed to be drawn by a tractor and so constructed that some of its load rests upon or is carried by the loading vehicle.

ENCLOSED CAR TRAILER

An unpowered, fully enclosed trailer towed by a powered vehicle. Provides a safe and secure environment for the vehicle being transported. This method is generally more expensive than using an open air trailer for auto transportation.

DUNNAGE

The material used in loading a trailer to protect the contents of the trailer from damage. It is often scrap materials such as cardboard, foam rubber, or plywood.

DOCK

A platform, generally the same height as the trailer floor, where trucks are loaded and unloaded.

CARRIER

Another name for a trucking company who transports freight.

BONDED CARRIER

A transportation provider that US Customs allows to carry customs-controlled merchandise between customs points.

TERMINAL

The LTL freight building and grounds where shipments are prepared for delivery or transportation to other terminals.

Hear what others are
saying about us!

"Brighter Logistics is literally the best company I have ever worked with. You all are very friendly, expert service, and always willing to help! I really am lucky to have you all in my corner! Thank you for being an honest and reliable company to work with!"

- LaRue Fisher

"I know I have told you before but I just want to thank you for all of your help. The past few months you have made my job so much easier as well as covering and catching things to ensure my shipments go smoothly. I have the background for an office with knowledge of inventory, job costing, purchasing and even shipping but not to the extent of the shipping we do here as well as learning the trade so again thank you because if it weren't for your guidance I would have hit some real hard patches. I know you hear the complaints (that is if you even get any) but seldom do you hear how much you are appreciated."

- Julie

“Good Afternoon to 3 of my most favorites! But by far the BEST LTL company I have worked with. I wanted to let you know that after 22 years of being with my Company, my story is taking me into a different chapter of my life.”
"I am going to miss you guys and please know that you have been GREAT to work with. Lindsay – I so very much appreciate all of you time and patience with myself and my needy customers. Justin and Jen – thank you for always taking care of any issues that I may have come at you with. "

"Our company has used many different brokerage services over the years but Brighter Logistics is the only one we have been consistently satisfied with. They provide fast response times, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer service. We could not ask for a better solution to our logistics needs."

- O'Connell Body Shop and Towing

"Have been working with Brighter Logistics for the past few years and they have always been helpful and appreciative of our business. Very friendly customer service, quick responses, and makes life easy for us. Lindsay has especially made our working experience smooth and enjoyable! Thank you!"

- Michael Thompson

"School Spirit Coffee, Inc. highly recommends Brighter Logistics. Georgeanne always gets a quote by to me quickly and takes care of all the details for shipping freight."

- Debbie Hohman

"I've been using Brighter Logistics for several months to ship my custom furniture. The agent response is very timely & the price quoted ends up being the cost I'm billed for.....no surprises. That & the safety of the product delivered is very important to me & my customers. Whereas I use to get several quotes from different agents, I'm now just primarily requesting theirs as it's consistently the most reasonable & with a well known freight company."

- Don Patrick

"A pleasant experience working with Brighter Logistics. I work Daily with Georgeanne and although she works to help me, i feel like she is part of my team. They take the time to get me the best rates, and match competitors prices. Always patient and helping with me even when situations get tough. They have become part of my long distance work family!"

- Charlene Wentz

"We work with MANY freight brokers arranging LTL (Less Than a Truckload) freight for the larger items we sell during the course of our business. Brighter Logistics, is BY FAR the absolute best broker in the industry. Georgeanne, our particular account representative, is truly amazing as is the entire staff at Brighter Logistics. Their prices are unbeatable and even with the lowest rates in the industry, they also have the BEST customer service is absolutely incredible. We actually call Brighter Logistics our "Super Brokers"."

- Nicolas Nophsker

"Brighter Logistics is the most trusted trucking consolidator that I use. I have contact names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers to call when I need help. More than once I've needed help after business hours and they have come through. As a supplier that is often caught between a customer and a trucking company I need a consolidator that stands up for our company. Brighter Logistics continually does that and it is much appreciated."

- Tomm Johnson

"The team at Brighter Logistics is very professional, responds to requests in a timely manner and they have the most user friendly website of any Logistics company. It's very easy to do business with Brighter Logistics."

- Amy Paty

Customer Service

Fast friendly service is the key to our success and the reason why many of our customers have been with us for years.

Cost Savings

Our nationwide delivery network allows us to offer some of the deepest discounts in the industry.

Reliable Transportation

Our interactive web site allows us to track your shipment every step of the way to ensure that it arrives on time.