Having been in the Transportation business for over 30 years, I have seen many companies come and go! I have seen many things, in our industry that never cease to amaze me.

One of them is moving a SHIPMENT IN BOND. What is surprising is 3) parts
1) The load broker who is responsible for giving the carrier all of the information at the time of shipping, does not followup or is not available after hours for any issues.
2) Some carriers will just absorb the automatic charge of $100.00 IN BOND FEE as a cost of doing business.
3) The refusal by shippers consignees and load brokers to understand, assist in getting the goods cleared, and setup properly in the first place.

The Middle Man (LOAD BROKER), when you book the shipemnt tell the carrier who the Cusotms Broker is. NOt show on your booking sheet WILL ADVISE If not why would the carrier pay the BOND FEE. Oh you do not want to pay a BOND FEE, no problem, next time there is a shipment, the driver will wait at the border then you pay the layover charge, and the goods do not get delivered until paid in advance. SImple math says 5 shipments a week at $100.00 per shipment minimum the BOND SHED charges, at 52 weeks just cost the carrier $ 26,000.00, yet the CARRIER DID THEIR JOB correctly. They picked up the goods on time and got to the border on time. SOme 3 P.L.'s and 4P.L.'s tell carriers all the time show us what the Bond Shed charges and we will pay that.

Carriers are finally waking up and relaizing just recovering the IN BOND FEES. Is not enough, Break even and you go broke. Funnily enough, the invoice we as carriers provide is the BOND FEES. This includes, paying money to the Bond Shed on your behalf as shippers and consignees, Moving the goods in bond, Paying the price of posting a bond with Canada Customs so they can move goods In Bond in the first place, of course there is also the dropping the trailer at the Bond shed, picking up the trailer at the bond shed, when the goods are cleared.

It all could have been avodied if paperwork was complete, and completed in full at the time of shipping not after the fact, or not supplying the information before its too late.

NEXT WEEK DAMAGE TO A CARRIER'S EQUIPMENT WHEN DROPED AT A SHIPPERS OR CONSIGNEES PREMISES>