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  • Freight

    Freight

    When you’re trying to conquer the world of commerce, it helps to have a great wingman.

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    Logistics

    From warehousing and distribution to expediting critical service parts, we keep supply chains moving.

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    We’re a lot more than shipping and logistics. We can help you mitigate risk, improve cash flow, print 3D and a host of other surprises.

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    We’ve been in the transportation and logistics business for a long time, helping companies of all shapes and sizes grow and prosper.

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UPS Freight Services

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At UPS Supply Chain Solutions, we’re here to simplify shipping freight. Find the freight fowarding service that’s right for you, explore logistics services and get your freight moving in the UPS Forwarding Hub.

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  • Freight Services

    From air and ocean to everything in between, you can trust us to move your freight from one point to another.

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    • Ship on the UPS Forwarding Hub

      Get and compare quotes, book shipments, and track them end-to-end on one modern, easy-to-navigate dashboard.

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      • Find Logistics & Solutions

        From warehousing and distribution to expediting critical service parts, we keep supply chains moving.

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        Box Icon Global Freight Industry Outlook Quarterly 2023

        Our industry professionals have compiled freight market updates and trends, to ensure your business is best prepared for the future.

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        Freight Shipping Services

        We have the network to take you worldwide.
        • 14,000+

          Origins and destinations served worldwide
        • 300+

          Air and ocean operating facilities worldwide
        • 200+

          Planes in the world’s second-largest cargo airline
        • 160+

          countries served

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        Air Freight

        If you’re shipping air freight, it’s critical. Our International and North American Air Freight services offers day-specific, door-to-door service to 220+ countries.

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        Ocean Freight

        Every day we move ocean freight across 2,300+ lanes. So, if you’re nervous about going ocean, we've got it handled for you.

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          Ground Freight

          Growing your business in North America is easy. Our ground freight service makes crossing borders fast and easy.

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          Express Shipping

          UPS Express Critical® offers next-flight-out service for ultra-time-sensitive deliveries. In North America and major global metropolitan areas.

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          Multimodal Freight

          Moving freight can be complex, a multimodal shipping option is less expensive than air freight, yet faster than ocean and an overall great solution.

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        • Shipment consolidation at the point of origin saves time and money

          Freight Consolidation

          Cut customs clearance time by consolidating individual shipments to the same destination country into just one shipment. We’ll handle everything from pickup to delivery.

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        Freight Value Added Services

        Sure, we'll move your freight from here to there. We also offer a suite of support services that have helped companies cross new borders for 100+ years.
        • Customs Brokerage

          We’ve been in transportation and logistics for more than 100 years, so we’re used to being on the front lines of customs brokerage.

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        • Flex® Global View

          Keeping track of all the vendors, POs and shipments constantly moving through your supply chain takes smart, easy-to-use technology.

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        • Warehousing

          Are you and your staff wearing more hats than you can count? Explore our flexible, scalable warehouse management solutions.

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        • Inventory Management

          If your current inventory management system isn’t making your job easier, we should talk. We can help you simplify order, fulfillment and inventory flow.

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        • Distribution

          If your small business has transformed into a fast-growing company, our distribution solutions can offer relief to those growing pains.

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        • Supplier Management

          Your job is complex. With managing 26 vendors across five countries and nine time zones. Sleep isn't an option. How can you manage it all? We'll help.

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        New Guided Quote Views for Shippers of All Levels

        We heard you, and we have improved our quoting experience with a guided view to help you ship more confidently, no matter your level of shipping knowledge.

        Get a QuoteOpen the link in a new window

        We’re More Than Just a Freight Forwarder

        We’re here to be your supply chain wingman end-to-end. Compare logistics solutions to help your business flow seamlessly, find the answers to your freight questions in our educational hub or check out our shipping tools to streamline your next shipment.
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          Logistics & Solutions

          We’ve been in the transportation and logistics business for a long time, helping companies of all shapes and sizes grow and prosper.

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          Go to Solutions ›

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            Supply Chain Insights

            Check out our Shipping Glossary, Market Updates, Shipping Guides and more.

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              Shipping Documents

              Find all your shipping tools and any other resources you may need here.

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              Mail Icon Get Insights to Confidently Lead Your Supply Chain

              Get insights into all things freight and logistics, delivered right to your inbox.

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              Insights Delivered and market Update emails on a mobile device
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              Freight Shipping Guide

              Freight shipping is complex. Our freight shipping guide breaks down the different modes of freight transportation, the benefits of each mode and when to use them, and answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

              Read the Guide

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              News & Market Updates

              Find the latest freight and logistics news, market updates, capacity shifts and rate trends happening in the world of supply chain.

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              Freight 101 FAQs

              New to freight forwarding or global logistics? Here's what people often ask.
              What is freight forwarding?

              A freight forwarder, forwarder or forwarding agent, also known as a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer or final point of distribution. Forwarders contract with a carrier, or multiple carriers, to move the goods. The forwarder does not actually move the goods but acts as an expert in the logistics network. The carriers use a variety of shipping modes—including ships, airplanes, trucks and railroads—and often use multiple modes for a single shipment. For example, the freight forwarder may arrange to have cargo moved from a plant to an airport by truck, flown to the destination city and then moved from the airport to a customer's building by another truck.

              International freight forwarders typically handle international shipments and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation and performing activities pertaining to international shipments.

              What is freight class?

              The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) details 18 freight classes, with Class 50 being the lowest and Class 500 the highest. The higher the class, the higher the rate of every hundred pounds you ship. UPS bases freight class on four shipment characteristics:

              Density—Are you shipping a pallet of stone or a pallet of ping pong balls?
              Stowability—What are the dimensions of the shipment? Does it have irregular angles that take up more space than normal?
              Handling—Is the freight palletized?
              Liability—Are you shipping valuable electronic equipment or boxes of used clothing?

              How can I ship dangerous goods and hazardous materials?

              Shipping dangerous goods worldwide can be complicated. Shippers must stay current in transport regulations affecting hazard classification, packaging, marking labeling and documentation. Whether by air or ground, UPS can help your dangerous goods shipment get where it needs to be. This information by the FAA is also a good resource: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/safecargo/how_to_ship/

              What is cross docking?

              Cross docking is the process of unloading a piece of freight from an incoming truck or train and then loading it directly onto an outbound mode.

              What are freight terms of sale?

              Most purchases of goods involve agreement on freight terms, which are often specified in the quote, contract or general terms and conditions. They help determine who (seller or buyer) is liable for costs and risk at various points throughout the shipment journey. For international shipments, freight terms are commonly referred to as INCOTERMS rules (International Commercial Terms). Visit our Incoterms page for more information.

              What is Partial Truckload or Load-to-Ride?

              Load-to-ride is when freight is loaded on a truck and then taken directly to its destination. Partial Truckload is when freight doesn't require the use of an entire trailer but is typically more than an LTL shipment.

              What is Less-than-Truckload (LTL)?

              Less than Truckload (LTL) shipping is utilized when your freight doesn't fill an entire trailer. The shipper only pays for a portion of the truck being utilized, which saves money vs. paying for an entire trailer without using it.

              Freight Pickup FAQs

              Typical questions asked about the pickup of freight.
              Do I give a freight shipment to my regular UPS driver?

              No, a UPS Global Freight Forwarding Cartage Services Driver or agent on behalf of UPS GFF will make the pickup.

              What is the maximum size of a shipment I can schedule for pickup without additional authorization?

              If a shipment is larger than 120 in. length, 83 in. in width, or 76 in. in height, additional authorization is needed and you will need to call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6212 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

              What is the maximum weight of a shipment I can schedule for pickup without additional authorization?

              Domestic Services: If a shipment has an actual or dimensional weight of 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) or more, additional authorization is needed and you will need to call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6151 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

              International Services: If a shipment has an actual or dimensional weight of 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) or more on UPS Air Freight Premium Direct (CX) service, additional authorization is needed and you will need to call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6151 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

              Who do I contact to make a last-minute change to my scheduled pickup?

              Please call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6212 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

              Can a liftgate be provided upon pickup?

              Yes, be sure to include special instructions to add a liftgate in your pickup request.

              Where can I find shipping documents I need?

              We have some helpful documents listed in the document center.

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