Our LTL shipments are normally strapped to a wooden pallet and further protected with stretch plastic wrap. Unless you have paid extra for special services, the delivery point is typically the edge of a semi-trailer truck tailgate. It is the responsibility of the recipient to collect the palletized shipment from the 48-inch high tailgate. This means the facilities at the delivery address are expected to have the necessary material handling equipment such as a loading dock and pallet jack, or a fork lift.
However, in the case of the types of products that Dive Gear Express ships via LTL freight, there is a work around for these material handling requirements. The recipient can climb in the trailer to break apart the palletized shipment at the tailgate. Transportation union rules and liability issues prevent the driver from helping unload the shipment unless you previously ordered additional services with the delivery, but the nature of the items we ship means two other individuals in good health will be able to manage the task themselves. You will need a workplace utility knife to remove the straps and plastic wrap (the delivery driver is unlikely to have any cutting tools), then lift and hand the individual items down from the tailgate to the ground.
Optional LTL freight services available at extra cost include:
- Residential Address -- Deliveries are normally to a business address located in an area that is zoned for commercial traffic, since over-the-road trailer trucks are prohibited from travelling on residential streets. This option provides delivery using a truck suitable for operation in a residential area. Residential address delivery often requires additional services and can be relatively expensive, so we recommend business address delivery whenever possible.
- Scheduled Appointment -- Once the shipment reaches the local terminal, the trucking company will call to arrange an agreed upon delivery date and time. Required if the recipient is not always able to accept the shipment during normal business hours of Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
- Inside Delivery -- The trucking company is responsible for providing a pallet jack and physically moving the pallet from the truck tailgate to just inside the threshold of the delivery address. Note this does not mean the driver will break down the pallet contents. If there is no loading dock, then liftgate service is also required.
- Liftgate Required -- The delivery truck will be equipped with a liftgate to lower the pallet to the ground. This option may be required if there is no loading dock or forklift and only one individual will be available to accept delivery.
- Limited Access Delivery -- This option is required for delivery to any address not freely open to the public during normal business hours. Examples of restricted access points may include gated communities, construction sites, marinas, high security facilities, resorts, or anywhere the driver has to stop for permission to gain access in order to continue.
LTL freight shipments always include a waybill that you are required to sign to accept the delivery. Do NOT sign until all optional services specified on the waybill have been provided AND you have inspected the outside of the shipment for obvious damage. If any transportation damage is visible, accept delivery but take pictures and make a note describing the damage on all copies of the waybill.