1. LTL Freight Overview

Less-Than-Truckload shipping is used when products are too large, heavy, fragile, or complex for standard parcel delivery. Freight shipments may require special handling, appointment delivery, liftgate service, commercial dock access, or additional delivery coordination.

Examples of freight-shipped products may include network racks, chassis systems, large switches, routers, palletized hardware, bulk cable, data center equipment, and multi-unit infrastructure orders.

2. Freight Shipment Types

3. Delivery Location Requirements

Customers are responsible for ensuring the delivery location can safely receive freight shipments.

• Commercial dock availability should be confirmed before shipment.
• Delivery areas must be accessible by freight carrier trucks.
• Customers must provide accurate business hours and delivery contact information.
• Receiving personnel should be available during scheduled delivery windows.
• Any special site limitations must be disclosed before shipment.

4. Accessorial Freight Services

Additional freight services may be required depending on the delivery location and shipment type. These services may result in additional charges.

5. Freight Inspection Requirements

Freight shipments must be inspected before signing the carrier delivery receipt. Signing without noting damage may limit claim eligibility.

If visible damage is present, customers should:

• Inspect the pallet, shrink wrap, straps, cartons, and product packaging.
• Take clear photos before moving or unpacking the shipment.
• Note all damage on the delivery receipt before signing.
• Keep all packaging materials for inspection.
• Contact Sunol Tech immediately with documentation.

6. Do Not Sign Clean for Damaged Freight

If a freight shipment appears damaged, crushed, opened, punctured, re-taped, wet, leaning, or missing pieces, the delivery receipt should clearly describe the damage.

Examples of proper notation include: “carton crushed,” “pallet damaged,” “shrink wrap torn,” “equipment exposed,” or “possible concealed damage.”

7. Concealed Damage

Concealed damage is damage discovered after delivery when the outer packaging may not show obvious signs of damage.

Concealed damage should be reported within 48 hours of delivery whenever possible. Photos, packaging, serial numbers, tracking details, and order information may be required.

8. Missed Delivery, Storage, and Re-Delivery Fees

Customers may be responsible for additional carrier charges if delivery cannot be completed due to unavailable receiving personnel, incorrect addresses, restricted access, missed appointments, or lack of required equipment.

• Re-delivery fees
• Storage charges
• Detention fees
• Limited access fees
• Address correction fees
• Liftgate or inside delivery fees

9. Freight Claims

Freight damage or loss claims may require carrier investigation and approval. Sunol Tech will assist with claim documentation when appropriate, but claim approval may depend on carrier rules, delivery receipt notation, timing, and available evidence.

Claim documentation may include:

• Photos of packaging and products.
• Signed delivery receipt with damage notes.
• Bill of lading.
• Carrier tracking number.
• Invoice or order number.
• Inspection report if required.

10. Risk of Loss

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, risk of loss transfers to the customer when the shipment is tendered to the freight carrier.

Customers should ensure that freight shipments are properly received, inspected, documented, and stored upon delivery.

11. International Freight Shipments

International freight shipments may be subject to export compliance, customs clearance, duties, taxes, brokerage fees, inspection delays, and import restrictions.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, customers are responsible for all applicable customs duties, taxes, fees, import compliance, and destination-country requirements.

12. Freight Preparation and Packaging

Sunol Tech may use palletizing, strapping, shrink wrap, protective packaging, corner boards, labels, and carrier-approved preparation methods to support safe delivery.

Some products may ship in manufacturer packaging, while others may require additional freight protection depending on size, weight, value, and destination.

13. Contact Information

Questions regarding LTL freight shipping may be directed to:

Sunol Tech LLC
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ParagonNS.com