---
title: Best Practices for Receiving Your Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipments
description: Learn best practices for receiving truckload and less-than-truckload freight shipments to avoid unexpected fees, missing items, and damaged goods. Ensure a smooth delivery with these essential tips.
image: https://shipfairtrade.com/hubfs/Coffee%20Delivery-2.webp
---

[![Fair Trade Logistics](https://shipfairtrade.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/fair-trade-logistics/images/ftl-logo-horizontal-reversed.png)](https://shipfairtrade.com/)

[Shipping Services](https://shipfairtrade.com/truckload-services) [About](https://shipfairtrade.com/about-us) [Meet Our Team](https://shipfairtrade.com/meet-our-team) [Resources](https://shipfairtrade.com/blog) [Contact](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)

[Customer Portal](https://app.quotefactory.com/login/fair-trade) [Get a Quote](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)

[Shipping Services](https://shipfairtrade.com/truckload-services) [About](https://shipfairtrade.com/about-us) [Meet Our Team](https://shipfairtrade.com/meet-our-team) [Resources](https://shipfairtrade.com/blog) [Contact](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)

[Get a Quote](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us) [Customer Portal](https://app.quotefactory.com/login/fair-trade)

Truckload

# Best Practices for Receiving Your Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipments

 February 1, 2025 · Fair Trade Logistics Team

![<span id="hs_cos_wrapper_name" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="text" >Best Practices for Receiving Your Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipments</span>](https://shipfairtrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Coffee%20Delivery-2.webp?width=1360&height=752&name=Coffee%20Delivery-2.webp)

**Best Practices for Receiving Your Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipments**

When your freight shipment arrives, ensuring a smooth and seamless delivery is crucial. Whether you’re receiving a truckload or less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment, following these best practices can help protect your business from unexpected fees, missing items, and damaged goods.

## **1. Inspect Before You Sign**

Before signing the delivery receipt (BOL), take a few moments to inspect your shipment.

- Make sure all items have arrived in good order.
- If anything appears missing or damaged, note it clearly on the BOL before signing.
- Have the driver acknowledge and sign any notations regarding damage or missing freight.

## **2. Review the Delivery Documents Carefully**

The driver will document any additional services used during the delivery, such as:

- **Liftgate service**
- **Inside delivery**
- **Limited access delivery**

If you sign for these services but did not request or use them, you may still be held responsible for the charges. A simple check mark on the BOL can indicate an extra service, so always verify before signing.

## **3. Address Questions or Concerns Before Signing**

If anything seems off about your delivery, do not hesitate to ask the driver for clarification before signing the proof of delivery. Once signed without notation, it becomes significantly more difficult to dispute freight issues.

## **4. Document Any Damage Immediately**

If you discover damage upon delivery:

- **Note the damage on the BOL/Delivery Receipt**
- **Have the driver sign the notation**
- **Take clear and detailed photos of the damage**
- **Keep a copy of all documents for your records**

Proper documentation strengthens your case should you need to file a freight claim with the carrier.

## **5. Understand Inside Delivery Charges**

Carriers charge extra for inside deliveries. Unless you have a loading dock or are prepared to cover additional fees, do not allow the driver to bring your shipment inside your facility. Make arrangements to move the freight yourself to avoid unnecessary costs.

## **Ready to Streamline Your Freight Shipping?**

At Fair Trade Logistics, we specialize in efficient, cost-effective freight shipping for coffee roasters, importers, and the specialty food industry. Let us help manage your shipments with ease and reliability.

**Request a freight quote today and experience a better way to ship!** 

[Get a Quote](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us-classic)

## Need help with a shipment?

Talk to a coffee freight specialist today.

[Get a Quote](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)

![Fair Trade Logistics](https://shipfairtrade.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/fair-trade-logistics/images/ftl-logo-horizontal-reversed.png)

Coffee Shipping Made Easy.

Freight support for coffee importers, traders, roasters, and specialty food brands.

Freight services provided through Margin Freight, our licensed parent broker.

#### Services

- [Truckload](https://shipfairtrade.com/truckload-services)
- [Intermodal](https://shipfairtrade.com/truckload-services#intermodal)
- [LTL](https://shipfairtrade.com/ltl-shipping)
- [Trade Show](https://shipfairtrade.com/#services)
- [Warehouse Transfers](https://shipfairtrade.com/#coffee)
- [Coffee Equipment Shipping](https://shipfairtrade.com/#services)
- [Specialty Food Logistics](https://shipfairtrade.com/#services)
- [Freight Claims Support](https://shipfairtrade.com/#services)

#### Resources

- [Blog](https://shipfairtrade.com/blog)
- [Coffee Density Calculator](https://shipfairtrade.com/coffee-density-calculator)
- [Reduce Freight Costs](https://shipfairtrade.com/blog/8-tips-on-how-to-reduce-freight-costs-for-coffee-shippers)
- [Filing a Freight Claim](https://shipfairtrade.com/blog/filing-a-freight-claim-a-step-by-step-guide)
- [Holiday Shipping Hub](https://shipfairtrade.com/2024-holiday-shipping-hub)

#### Company

- [About Us](https://shipfairtrade.com/about-us)
- [Meet Our Team](https://shipfairtrade.com/meet-our-team)
- [Contact](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)
- [Get a Quote](https://shipfairtrade.com/contact-us)
- [Customer Portal](https://app.quotefactory.com/login/fair-trade)

© 2026 Fair Trade Logistics · shipfairtrade.com [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fairtradelogistics) [Privacy Policy](https://shipfairtrade.com/privacy-policy) [Terms](https://shipfairtrade.com/terms-and-conditions)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Fair Trade Logistics Team",
    "url" : "https://shipfairtrade.com/blog/author/fair-trade-logistics-team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-02-01T03:03:38.454Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-02-01T03:02:46.000Z",
  "headline" : "Best Practices for Receiving Your Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipments",
  "image" : [ "https://shipfairtrade.com/hubfs/Coffee%20Delivery-2.webp" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://shipfairtrade.com/blog/best-practices-for-receiving-your-truckload-and-less-than-truckload-freight-shipments",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://shipfairtrade.com/hubfs/Fair%20Trade%20Logistics%2c%20social%20media%20icons%2c%20V2.png"
    },
    "name" : "Fair Trade Logistics LLC"
  }
}
```