With the new year approaching, now is the perfect time to review how your business manages freight and shipping.
We’re not suggesting a massive overhaul in 2026. In fact, our goal here is quite the opposite. We’ll show you that getting your freight on track doesn’t require additional funding or resources. All you need is a metaphorical magnifying glass on the details to help you keep orders moving.
Labeling: A small step with big impact
If you’re going through airport security, a mistake on your driver’s license or passport puts the brakes on your trip to the gate. The same can be said for freight transportation.
“Labeling mistakes are the number one reason loads are either delayed, denied, or rejected,” said Abel Guillen, Manager of Amazon Freight’s Inbound Account Management Team. According to Guillen, even simple errors, such as misspellings and incorrect addresses, can lead to significant freight slowdowns.
A freight shipping label is its ID badge. Just like with your license or passport, a 100% accurate label helps to ensure a smooth freight shipping experience. So, before the trip, double-check your shipping labels for accuracy. Amazon Freight’s table of best practices below can help you get started.
Freight shipping label best practices for your business:
Before printing |
After printing |
During staging |
Cross-check the destination address |
Make sure all printed information is legible |
Ensure boxes are properly packed and sealed |
Confirm that your return address is correct (especially important if you have multiple locations) |
Confirm that shipping barcodes are printed clearly |
Label all shipping boxes with a unique ID |
Double-check spelling and address formatting across the label |
Reprint the labels if you notice any ink smudges or print quality issues |
Affix shipping labels outside of stretch wrap, avoiding any seams or corners |
Bill of lading: Your freight’s RSVP
When planning an end-of-year celebration, you need to know who’s coming and what they’re bringing. Otherwise, you’ll be left wondering how many noisemakers to buy.
In freight shipping, the bill of lading (BOL) is like your shipment’s RSVP, letting your provider know how much you’re moving. Not sure what to include or where to send your BOL? These frequently asked questions can help:
Q: What do I need to include on a bill of lading? A: All items in your shipment should be listed on the BOL. It’s important to ensure that your shipment documentation matches the contents of your pallets. Unknown items cause delays and can incur additional costs.
Q: Do I need to send my bill of lading somewhere now that I have it ready?
A: Nope. Now that you have everything prepared, hold onto that BOL until your freight driver arrives for pickup. Pass the copy along to them at that time, and your shipment will be on its way.
Q: What if I’m shipping oversized items that don’t fit in a conventional box?
A: If you’re moving oversized or bulky items (like kayaks or appliances), make sure you communicate this with the freight provider before adding them to your BOL. That way, they can plan for the space to accommodate your shipment.
Safety and compliance: Protect freight carriers, drivers, and loads
Protecting the people who handle your shipments is paramount. Everyone deserves to return home safely after their workday, so following your freight provider’s instructions for packing, shipping, and staging is crucial.
Freight shipping best practices for safety:
Picking |
Packing |
Staging |
Follow the order closely to pick the proper items |
Follow your freight provider’s weight and dimension guidelines for standard packages |
Stack pallets according to weight, with heavier packages on the bottom and lighter ones on top |
Ensure that no dangerous goods (aerosols, flammable liquids, lithium batteries, etc.) are required for the shipment |
Ensure oversized packages are properly wrapped and secured to protect the item, warehouse staff, and driver |
Wrap pallets securely to keep them from tipping |
If the order includes dangerous goods, confirm that they are properly classified, documented, and labeled |
Label packages with proper instructions as necessary, such as “fragile,” “top-heavy,” and “this side up” |
Organize pallets according to their pickup times to reduce unnecessary contact or movement |
A toast to freight shipping accuracy in 2026
Wherever you are on your freight shipping journey, Amazon Freight is here to help you find brilliance in the basics. Tap into our expertise for your business today. Create an account to quote and book your first load.
