Getting an accurate measurement of your shipment is a crucial first step when arranging haulage or courier services. Providing precise dimensions and weight ensures you receive an accurate quote, avoids potential delays or surcharges, and helps All Freight Logistics plan the most efficient and safe transportation for your goods.
With 28 years of experience in the UK logistics industry, All Freight Logistics understands the importance of accurate shipment information. Here’s our guide to help you measure your items correctly:
Why Accurate Measurements Are Essential:
- Accurate Quotes: Logistics companies base their pricing on factors like size, weight, and volume. Incorrect measurements can lead to inaccurate initial quotes and unexpected charges later on.
- Vehicle and Space Allocation: Knowing the true size and weight of your shipment allows us to allocate the appropriate vehicle and plan loading efficiently, ensuring the safe transport of your goods and those of other customers.
- Safety and Compliance: Overloading vehicles or misrepresenting the size of goods can be a safety hazard and may violate transportation regulations. Accurate measurements help us comply with all necessary guidelines.
- Avoiding Delays: Incorrect information can lead to issues during collection or transit, potentially causing delays in delivery.
How to Measure Your Shipment:
Follow these steps to ensure you provide accurate measurements:
1. Gather Your Tools:
- Tape Measure: A sturdy and accurate tape measure (preferably in centimetres or inches).
- Weighing Scales: For smaller items, a standard household scale might suffice. For larger or heavier shipments, you’ll need access to more robust weighing equipment (we can often advise on this during the booking process).
- Notebook and Pen/Digital Device: To record your measurements.
2. Measure the Dimensions (Length, Width, Height):
- Identify the longest side: This will be your length.
- Identify the widest side: This will be your width.
- Identify the tallest side: This will be your height.
- Measure each dimension at its furthest points, including any handles, protrusions, or uneven surfaces.
- Record each measurement clearly. It’s best to use the same unit of measurement (e.g., centimetres) for all dimensions.
3. Measure the Weight:
- Weigh the item(s) on your scales. Ensure the scales are on a flat, stable surface and are calibrated correctly.
- If you have multiple items being shipped together, weigh the entire consolidated shipment.
- Record the weight accurately, using kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
4. Consider Irregular Shapes:
- If your item is irregularly shaped (e.g., cylindrical, triangular), imagine it fitting into a standard rectangular box. Measure the longest, widest, and tallest points of this imaginary box to get the overall dimensions.
- For cylindrical items, measure the diameter and the length.
5. For Palletised Goods:
- Measure the overall dimensions of the entire pallet, including any overhang of the goods.
- Measure the total height of the pallet and the goods stacked on it.
- Weigh the entire pallet and its contents.
6. Round Up Appropriately:
- It’s generally best to round up your measurements to the nearest whole unit (e.g., centimetre or kilogram). This helps to avoid any discrepancies if our measuring equipment differs slightly.
7. Provide Clear Information When Booking:
- When you contact All Freight Logistics to book your haulage or courier service, be ready to provide the length, width, height, and weight of each shipment.
- If you have multiple items, provide the measurements and weight for each item or for the consolidated shipment if they are securely packaged together.
- If your items are irregularly shaped, clearly describe their shape and how you took the measurements.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Assistance:
If you’re unsure about how to measure your shipment accurately, or if you have particularly large, heavy, or irregularly shaped items, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced team at All Freight Logistics. We’re here to help guide you through the process and ensure a smooth and accurate booking.
Getting your measurements right from the start saves time, prevents unexpected costs, and ensures the safe and efficient delivery of your goods. Trust our 28 years of expertise to handle your logistics needs, starting with accurate information.
Need help measuring your shipment or ready to book your delivery?
