- Introduction
So you’ve finally decided to work on your baby. You’ve put together a solid plan – you’ve got the solid bodywork, bought a humming engine and located a reliable transmission system.
But the transmission is a thousand miles away. It could be on the coastal line or across the Northern border. It could even be deep in the countryside. But you’ve got the best deal you can – all you’ve gotta do is ship it in. Just how do you perform this exercise?
Let’s see. The shipping process and cost will depend on your chosen method. Experts recommend shipping transmission parts via LTL freight, which stands for Less Than Truckload freight transport services.
Your transmission system won’t require much space (less than a Full Truck Load), but it will require delicate handling such that not even a scratch damages it. Thus, the cost will be influenced most by how it is handled, not just how it is shipped.
Four things will influence the shipping costs: the shipping method, the distance of transportation, the handling and insurance costs. You can also add hidden costs to this estimate: labor for delicate handling, packaging, and tracking services.
- Factors Influencing Shipping Costs
Shipping is the basic cost required to ship your transmission from wherever it might be. The average transmission shipping price for domestic destinations is around $300. Four major factors affect it:
- Distance: The longer the distance, the higher the shipping cost. This is due to increased fuel consumption and labor. Longer distances may also require more stops and changes in the route.
- Weight and Dimension: The transmission’s weight and dimensions are another major factor. The cost goes up in proportion to these factors.
- Handling and Packaging: How delicately you want the transmission handled will greatly impact shipping. You’re shipping the transmission to someone who will have to pay for the bubble wrap, packing tape, etc. Or, you’re having it shipped, so you’ll have to splurge. Packaging and handling are crucial to delivering the transmission in perfect condition for its eventual use.
- Insurance and Tracking: Getting a transmission shipped without buying insurance for it is dangerous. Natural calamities and accidents can damage it beyond repair or recognition. Tracking is equally important for monitoring the transmission’s whereabouts. Both these factors will affect the shipping price.
- Shipping Methods for Transmissions
There are three methods of shipping transmissions that you can choose from:
- Air Freight: This method is ideal for expedited shipping, ensuring a faster delivery. It also gives you an accurate tracking option. However, it is likely to prove the most expensive method of shipping your transmission. Only opt for this if urgency is a consideration for your shipment.
- Road Transport: The most common and useful method for domestic transmission shipping is transport by road. While it will also allow for accurate tracking, insurance is a must for road shipping due to the mishaps that can threaten your precious transmission. The cost of road transport is likely to be less than air freight.
- Ocean Freight: Freight forwarders are key if you’re shipping internationally. Whether to or from, ocean freight is the cheapest option for longer journeys. However, ocean freight will prolong the journey and make it difficult for you to track it.
The three factors to consider while deciding the shipping method for your transportation are the time available, the cost you’re willing to pay and the distance you are shipping your transmission.
- Packaging and Preparation
Packing is essential to shipping your transmission to its desired location. Ensure three things while preparing your transmission for the shipping process:
- Drain the transmission of all fluids. This will help avoid leaks and damage to the transmission during shipping.
- Place the transmission system in a sturdy wooden or heavy-duty crate.
- Use padding and cushions to ensure the transmission is snug within the packaging crate and ready for transportation.
Packaging is prevention, whereas insurance is a cure. As we know, prevention is always preferable. So, it is for the shipping process. Pack your transmission system so you don’t need to call in an insurance claim.
- Understanding Freight Rates
Freight rates for shipping transmissions depend on a variety of factors:
- Density of the Freight (weight in pounds/volume in cubic feet)
- The value of the Transmission System
- Special Loading Equipment, if required
- Precautions and Fragile Handling, if required
- How the Transmission crate fits with other items in the freight.
All these factors determine your “freight class,” depending on which you may be charged more or less. There are ways of predetermining or estimating your freight class online. Use such services to ensure you can bargain with the shipping companies or forwarders when the time comes.
Remember that you can send your transmission all in one go or gather different parts from various sources. This may mean you must opt for a multi-weight instead of the freight option. Keep this in mind while looking for transportation alternatives: what kind of services is the courier or the forwarder providing?
- Additional Services and Fees
More often than not, forwarders and shipping companies operate via hidden fees that might affect the ultimate price of shipping your vehicle.
This may include extra pricing for:
- Lift-gate or Docking services for special equipment requiring extra care,
- Insurance charges for specific Freight Classes that may fluctuate or vary,
- Expedited shipping services that provide faster delivery,
- Tracking services, which the shipper may guarantee but not account for in the basic pricing models provided online.
To make shipping cost-effective, compare the price charts over different seasons and months to look for a period of low shipping activity. This might offer you respite and decrease the cost.
Third-party insurance might also make the shipping cheaper than opting for the shipping providers’ insurance policy. Try to make the shipment as light as possible to avoid the hidden costs of equipment and rising Freight classes.
- Researching Shipping Providers
Different providers will have different Freight Classifications. They might also have different packaging conditions, equipment requirements tied to freight classifications and insurance policies determined by shipping types.
Consider three metrics before choosing a shipping provider:
- Past Experience: Robust experience, as exposed by customer reviews, should play a big role in your choice of a shipping company. The number of years and the amount of customers served are ideal metrics for determining experience.
- Reputation: A company’s ability to ensure smooth shipping depends on its ability to minimize the risk posed to its clients’ equipment. After all, you don’t want a smooth-talking car salesman handling your precious transmission. Verify the shipper’s accident history and customer retention.
- Insurance Coverage: Whether or not a shipper provides insurance coverage is essential in determining whether they are serious in their claim about protecting your business. Always make sure they provide for and care about your transmission the way you do.
These three metrics should tell you whether a shipper is serious enough to warrant consideration when you decide who to trust with your transmission.
- Obtaining and Comparing Quotes
Once you’ve narrowed down the way you want to ship your product and identified the serious players competing for your shipping order, the next step is to compare their quotes. Consider the quotes along the following lines:
- Which company provides the most value for money? This means dividing the cost by the time to deliver the transmission, the services offered, the insurance coverage, and the handling care promised.
- Which company provides the cheapest quote, and why? Where are they cutting on cost where the others aren’t? Is that a bargain you’d be willing to accept?
- Which company provides the best services? Who promises the most care in handling? Who offers the most advanced tracking services?
Obtaining a quote is easy. Even without disclosing personal information, just the route to be taken and the weight of the freight will yield you a rough estimate for the shipping project. Consider the quotes along with the questions asked above.
Then, you can make a decision based on the time, money and care you’re willing and able to invest in the shipping process. uShip can help you get quotes from several different freight providers that will compete for your business.
- Navigating Customs and Regulations
Sometimes, states and countries impose tariffs on importing and exporting automotive parts. Additionally, your shipping agent, freight forwarder or chosen company may not disclose this cost in their estimates.
Beware the hidden costs of customs and the regulations that might require specific kinds of packaging for your transmission. These may vary from country to country and state to state. The DMVs or state transportation agencies’ websites should give you the information you need to safely ship your transmission.
- Tracking and Monitoring Shipments
21st-century shipping services include tracking services. You can pinpoint and locate your package at all times. Utilize this facility to ensure that the shipping service meets its promised standards.
The tracking service sometimes helps you be certain your transmission has crossed a region where a storm hit or a forest fire ran wild. It might also tell you it has crossed your state and should be delivered soon.
Tracking isn’t merely for the peace of mind, it is also to prepare you for the arrival of the transmission such that you can smoothly receive it.
- Conclusion
Shipping your transmission can be accomplished in five easy steps:
- Choose the method of shipping depending on the system’s dimensions, the time available, the distance of transportation and the fragility of the transmission.
- Compare the quotes. Evaluate potential shipping companies, forwarders or agents based on their services.
- Verify the history of your preferred shipping company and method to ensure a good chance of success. Examining past reviews and company experience.
- Once you’ve booked a shipping company, carefully prepare the transmission for shipping. Drain it off all liquids and place it in a sturdy crate.
- Once shipped, continue tracking the freight at regular intervals. Ensure that the shipping company follows the timeline.
Follow these five steps, and your transmission will arrive smoothly, ready to power your passion project in no time!
