Can You Help with Carrier Packets?
Ah, the dreaded carrier packets. Just thinking about them can give anyone heartburn. If you're in the trucking industry, you've probably wondered, "Is there an easier way to get set up with all these accounts on BulkLoads without filling out hundreds of carrier packets for each company?" Let’s be honest—99% of them are practically identical.
What is a Carrier Packet?
Before we go any further, let’s clarify what a carrier packet actually is. Most shipping companies and freight brokerages have a standard carrier packet that new carriers need to complete. This packet includes everything from your DOT number and business address to your payment details and copies of your Certificate of Insurance (COI). It also contains legal agreements, like non-solicitation clauses and payment terms, that ensure you comply with the brokerage’s policies. Essentially, this packet formalizes the agreement between the carrier and the brokerage, preventing the carrier from bypassing the broker to work directly with the shipper.
Solutions to Streamline the Process
Now, let’s talk about some solutions to make this process less of a headache.
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MyCarrierPackets.com: This service creates a universal carrier packet that can be easily shared with any shipping company or brokerage. For example, if a brokerage uses MyCarrierPackets, they can instantly access all the information they need, without requiring you to fill out their specific packet. MyCarrierPackets also keeps your insurance certificates and other essential documents up to date, saving you a lot of hassle.
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Smart Freight Funding: Our sister company, Smart Freight Funding, offers a service that handles all your onboarding for you. Once you’re set up with Smart Freight, if you decide to haul for a new company on BulkLoads (which Smart Freight likely already works with), just let them know, and they’ll take care of the rest—at no additional cost to you. It’s that simple.
The Future of Carrier Packets
Lastly, I want to share a vision I believe will benefit the industry: a standardized onboarding agreement that works across the board. Imagine a world where a carrier could fill out a single digital form that satisfies the requirements of all shipping companies and brokerages. I know some might think this is impossible, but with thoughtful strategy, I believe it’s achievable. Reducing redundancy, especially for trucking companies, should be a priority for the industry.
I hope this helps you better understand what carrier packets are and how we at Smart Freight Funding can help automate the process.
God Bless,
Jared