What is a shipper?
A shipper, also known as a consignor, is a person or company that sends goods by some form of conveyance over road, rail, ocean or air. Shippers typically pay the cost of freight transportation unless the transportation contract specifies otherwise.
What is a shipper in trucking?
A shipper in trucking is a person, business or entity that tenders a shipment to a carrier. A bill of lading between the shipper (consignor) and the trucking carrier serves as a contract of carriage for transport of the shipment. Under that contract, the carrier assumes responsibility for the goods and their condition through to the final destination and delivery.
What is the difference between a shipper and a carrier?
A shipper is an individual or company that owns, produces or provides freight, cargo or packages being transported. The carrier is a transportation service provider that moves the shipment and assumes responsibility for any loss of goods or damage during transport.
What is the difference between a shipper and a consignee?
A shipper, or consignor, is the supplier or owner of commodities being shipped. A consignee is the shipment receiver who usually takes ownership of the goods following receipt.
What is a drop shipper?
A drop shipper is a retailer who fulfills customer orders through a third party that ships goods directly to the buyer. Drop shipping is an order fulfillment option for online retailers to outsource the procurement, production, storage and shipment of products to buyers.
What is a Shipper's Letter of Instruction?
A Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI) is a document from an exporter that instructs a freight forwarder on how and where to handle the export shipment. With an SLI, the exporter grants the forwarder permission to act as the authorized forwarding agent for export control and customs purposes. All U.S. export shipments require a complete SLI.
Know where your freight spend goes
How technology supports shippers
Technology gives shippers greater control over freight spend, carrier relationships and supply chain performance. A transportation management system (TMS) puts the tools shippers need in one platform:
Carrier management: Evaluate, select and manage carriers across modes—road, rail, air and ocean—based on cost, service and performance data
Freight spend visibility: Track transportation costs in real time and identify opportunities to reduce spend across lanes and modes
Shipment tracking and exception management: Monitor freight movements end to end and respond quickly when delays or disruptions occur
Rate management and tender automation: Access current market rates, run competitive bid processes and automate the tender of loads to preferred carriers
Compliance and documentation: Manage bills of lading, Shipper's Letters of Instruction and other required documentation from a single system