By ShipTimeAdjustment charges can be an unexpected and frustrating addition to your shipping costs. These fees often occur when package details—like weight, dimensions, or special handling requirements—are inaccurate or incomplete. The good news? With a few simple practices and the tools available on ShipTime, you can avoid these surprise costs and ship with confidence.
Here’s how you can prevent adjustment charges while ensuring smooth and cost-effective shipping.
Accurate Weight and Dimensions Matter
One of the most common reasons for adjustment charges is providing incorrect weight or dimensions when booking a shipment. Couriers use this information to calculate shipping costs, so even small discrepancies can result in additional fees.
Tips for Accurate Measurements:
– Use a reliable digital scale to determine the exact weight of your package, including the box and packing materials.
– Measure the package’s length, width, and height, and always round up to the nearest inch to account for variances.
– Don’t forget to account for irregularly shaped packages by measuring the widest points.
By entering precise measurements when creating a shipping label through ShipTime, you’ll ensure you’re charged correctly the first time.
Package Properly to Prevent Repackaging Fees
Couriers may impose fees if a package is poorly packed, damaged, or requires additional repackaging to meet their standards. Proper packaging is not only crucial for avoiding adjustment charges but also ensures your items arrive safely.
Best Practices for Packaging:
– Use durable, high-quality boxes that can handle the weight of the contents.
– Add ample cushioning materials such as bubble wrap, foam, or packing peanuts to protect fragile items.
– Avoid overstuffing boxes, which can lead to bulging and handling issues.
– Seal your package securely with heavy-duty tape on all seams to keep it intact during transit.
ShipTime Tip: If you’re shipping fragile or high-value items, consider adding ShipTime’s discounted insurance for peace of mind.
Understanding Address Corrections
Ensuring accurate address details is crucial to avoid unnecessary shipping adjustments and delivery delays. When creating a shipment on the ShipTime platform, make sure to include essential details such as the suite number, apartment number, or buzzer code so drivers can successfully complete the delivery.
Use the Address Finder field in the ShipTime platform to confirm the correct address and postal code, minimizing the risk of errors. Additionally, selecting the Residential Checkbox for home deliveries is vital, as it helps couriers determine the correct delivery parameters. Address inaccuracies, especially missing suite details or unchecked residential status, are among the top reasons for shipping adjustments—so double-checking these details upfront can save time and costs.
Clearly Communicate Special Handling Requirements
Packages with special handling needs, such as fragile, oversized, or heavy items, must be properly disclosed during shipment creation to avoid unexpected fees. Oversized and heavy shipments, in particular, can be quoted accurately upfront if the correct weight and dimensions are provided. Transparent details help ensure smooth processing and prevent adjustments.
The main reason for special handling often lies in how the item is packaged. Unboxed items, suitcases, pails, loose contents, items wrapped only in plastic, or anything that could roll or slide on a conveyor belt pose risks to equipment, staff, and other packages. Irregularly shaped items, can’t be sorted using standard equipment and may require manual handling, please note this.
Properly packaging your shipment not only minimizes these risks but also ensures the courier is prepared to handle your items safely and efficiently. By addressing these details during booking, you can avoid additional costs and maintain a seamless shipping process.
Double-Check All Shipping Details
Small errors in shipping details can lead to fees later. Before you finalize your shipment, double-check all the information you’ve entered.
Key Details to Verify:
– The recipient’s full address, including buzz codes or special instructions for apartments or condos.
– Accurate weight and dimensions.
– Any required special handling instructions.
ShipTime Tip: Use ShipTime’s Address Book to save frequently used addresses, making future shipments faster and reducing errors.
Why Avoiding Adjustment Charges Matters
Adjustment charges don’t just affect your bottom line—they can also delay deliveries, cause frustration, and impact customer satisfaction. By taking the time to provide accurate information and package properly, you can avoid these issues entirely. ShipTime’s platform is designed to make this process simple and efficient, helping you ship smarter and save money.
Ship Smarter with ShipTime
With ShipTime, avoiding adjustment charges is easier than ever. From precise rate comparisons to customizable shipping labels, we provide all the tools you need to ensure your packages are handled correctly and cost-effectively.
About ShipTime:
Ship Smarter – with ShipTime, we are a true partner beyond just discounted rates. We provide a best in class platform packed with features and backed by our legendary Heroic Support™ team.
You can sleep easy with ShipTime’s best-in-class customer care. Our bilingual team is available by phone, live chat, or email Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 8PM EST.
