5 Secrets to Hiring the Best Shipping Companies in Texas

Introduction to Shipping Companies in Texas

You're a business owner, and you're in charge of getting your products from point A to point B. And if you do business in North America, you’re likely shipping cargo through, to, or from Texas.

That’s where Texas shipping companies come in.

Via GIPHY

You've probably considered shipping companies in Texas before – they provide an essential service, after all. But there are many shipping companies out there, so how do you know which one is right for you?

We’re going to answer that question and get to the five secrets you need to know to hire the best shipping companies in Texas.

Types of Shipping Companies in Texas

There are several different types of shipping companies in Texas. And if you've ever tried to find one, finding the right company for the job can be overwhelming.

After all, you’re trying to find someone you can trust to move your cargo around Texas and beyond.

The first step to this process is knowing what types of shipping companies in Texas are so that you can begin your search with the right company for your needs.

Houston Freight Forwarder

This is a third-party logistics (3PL) company that specializes in moving goods from one place to another.

They are responsible for handling the paperwork, assisting with customs clearance, and booking space on trucks, ships, and planes. They also sometimes perform the logistics of moving goods from one place to another.

For example, if you're shipping something from San Francisco to New York City, your shipping company would ship it to a local port or airport where your freight forwarder will pick up the shipment and deliver it via truck or air freight service final destination. It's important not just because it saves you time, but because it also saves your business’ energy and resources, too.

Customs Broker Houston

Customs brokers are the middlemen between you and customs, which is great because they know how to navigate the complex world of international trade. Customs brokers can help you with everything from form completion, to classification and valuation of goods, to payment of duties or taxes on behalf of your client.

That’s pretty awesome. So why would you ever want to hire a customs broker? Well, let me tell you:

• They save time and money by reducing delays in shipping processes that occur when there are errors in paperwork
• They reduce risk by making sure that all regulations are met for any given shipment, so if something does go wrong with an export shipment (or worse), it won't be your fault

Shipping Company in Texas

Freight transportation companies are the ones who move the freight from one place to another. They are responsible for the safe and timely delivery of your goods, so you need to be sure that you're choosing a company that will provide quality service.

Freight forwarders and customs brokers are often tasked with finding reliable freight transportation companies for their clients' shipments. When hiring a shipping company, you must speak with your customs broker and your shipping company in Texas about what type of shipment you have (in its entirety) so they can recommend an appropriate carrier for your needs.

There are many different types of freight transportation companies:

• Trucking
• Ocean carriers
• Airlines

All of them fall into two broad categories: common carrier or contract carrier.

• Common Carriers: Those that transport goods or people for a fee, either privately or publicly.
• Contract Carriers: Providing transportation for compensation under a continuing agreement with one or a limited number of clients.

These carriers can help get your goods in, out, and around Texas.

5 Secrets to Hiring Shipping Companies in Texas

It's a fact that shipping is one of the most important aspects of a business. You need to know how to hire a good quality shipping provider in Texas to ensure that your shipments reach their destinations on time and without any damage.

So what are the secrets to choosing a suitable carrier in Texas?

Here’s the inside scoop on hiring shipping companies in Texas.

1. Understand Your Actual Needs

Not knowing what you actually need can waste time and money.

Don't be a novice!

Before you begin the quoting process for freight logistics services in Texas, have a clear idea of your needs.

When it comes to freight logistics, there are different types of shipping modes and accessorials that can be used depending on the type of cargo being shipped and how quickly the customer needs it delivered.

Some common accessorials that shipping companies in Texas may offer include:

• After-hours pick up
• Residential pickup or delivery
• Call ahead service
• Power tailgate use

Talk it through with your transportation provider and make sure you have your needs met and everything your shipment requires is covered.

There are more than just accessorials when hiring shipping companies in Texas to think about.

Consider your needs by asking these questions before choosing freight companies in Texas:

• Do you need to ship out-of-state? Out of the country?
• Does your cargo need to be kept cold?
• Will there be enough manpower available during transportation or delivery?
• Where does your cargo need to go?
• Do you need expedited service?
• Which mode of transportation do you prefer?

You may consider whether you want FTL or LTL shipping if you're seeking trucking transportation.

What exactly is the difference between these two kinds of shipping companies in Texas services? Compare them in the table below.

2. Look for a Shipping Company That Has A Diverse Range of Expertise

When you're looking for a shipping company, it's essential to look for a diverse range of expertise.

You want to make sure that your needs are met by the companies you're considering using. If one company offers only one type of service and another offers dozens, you may not have enough options to get everything done correctly.

The best way to ensure that your needs will be met is when you find a company that can offer you many different shipping options. By doing this, you'll be able to choose the best option for each delivery without worrying about whether or not they can handle any given situation on their own.

Make sure that when selecting a shipping company in Texas, there's more than just one type of service they offer so they can cover all bases and make sure nothing gets missed along the way!

3. Ask Hard Questions

It’s important to ask questions.

This can avoid headaches, miscommunication, and even worse – expensive problems. Before you dive in head first, make sure to ask some critical questions. Ask some questions to your potential shipping companies in Texas.

Questions to ask shipping companies in Texas include:

• Ask about the company's experience.
• Ask about their services.
• Ask about their clients.
• Ask about their guarantees.
• Ask about their rates.
• Ask about their payment terms,
• Ask if there is a minimum number of shipments you need to book with them before they offer better rates or discounts on services

If asking for questions about the company’s services isn’t handled adequately, take that as a sign you should look elsewhere. If you're looking for a reliable provider, we suggest making sure they have excellent customer service so that any issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently – and with minimal hassle on your end!

4. Find A Shipping Company With Real Experience

You need to hire a shipping company with industry experience. They should be able to answer your questions, offer advice and provide solutions.

When choosing a company, ask them how long they have been in business and when they started operating in Texas. Also, ask what percentage of their business is made up of shipping companies versus other businesses such as restaurants or retail stores. This information will give you an idea about the type of work they do most often (and are therefore best at).

You might also want to inquire about previous clients like yourself who have used this company before – you can even call some past customers yourself!

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Ship to Texas? (Insert Schedule Here)

The answer to that question is: it depends. The shipping time varies greatly depending on where you're located and your shipping mode.

Most of the time, your Texas shipping company will provide you with a schedule of their routes so you can see approximately how Texas shipping times are.

For instance, we at Moto offer a regular, efficient shipping service to and from Texas.

Consult our departure schedule below to see when your shipment could arrive in Texas.

How Much Does Shipping Cost to Texas?

The cost of shipping to Texas depends on three primary factors:

• Distance it’s being shipped
• Weight and size of the shipment
• Desired delivery speed

You may get an estimate of shipping costs by entering your vehicle details into a company’s website or calling them directly. To hire one of the best auto transport companies in Texas, you must understand these three factors.

Get clarity from your shipping company in Texas before you sign on the dotted line, and see a full, detailed freight quote addressing all of your needs, too.

Conclusion

These are just a few tips we have for hiring the best shipping companies in Texas. While these tips may seem like common sense, putting them into practice can get forgotten when you’re trying to make things happen in your business.

We hope that by reading this article, you have learned some new information about freight forwarders and customs brokers and can now make sure that your next hire meets all of these requirements.

Moto Transportation is your team if you’re in the market for a shipping company to take your goods to Texas or need a cross-border shipping expert! Get in contact with us to get the ship started for your team today.