Know Your Product to Become a Shipper of Choice

In today’s volatile freight environment, where capacity constraints and market uncertainties have become the norm, establishing yourself as a “shipper of choice” is more crucial than ever.

This designation isn’t just a badge of honor — it can be a competitive advantage that determines whether your shipments move on time or sit on the dock. With supply chain disruptions still fresh in the minds of both shippers and carriers, reliable freight partnerships have never been more valuable.

Being a shipper of choice signals to carriers and logistics providers that your business is organized, driver-friendly, communicative, and flexible — qualities that reduce friction and make their jobs easier. In return, preferred shippers often receive faster service, better rates, and first-in-line access when capacity tightens. But even when trucks are plentiful and the market feels stable, there’s no guarantee it will stay that way.

We cover this topic extensively in our latest eBook, How to Become a Shipper of Choice with Your Bulk Chemical Transport Partner.

You Can Help by Knowing Your Product Inside and Out

Here’s an all-too-common scenario in the world of chemical shipping: a shipper assigns a new, inexperienced employee to handle a shipment, giving them a simple directive—“go find the best rate to move this product.” Unfortunately, without sufficient operational knowledge and without providing critical shipment details, the employee reaches out to carriers or freight brokers who don’t receive enough information to properly evaluate the shipment.

As a result, these providers can’t determine whether they can meet the shipper’s needs, and may not even provide a quote. If they do provide one, it’s likely to be inflated to account for all the unknowns.

To avoid this situation, it’s essential to give your bulk chemical transportation provider as much information as possible to ensure safe, efficient movement of your load. Key details include your project timeline, loading and unloading sites, the equipment required, and specific product information.

Let’s break down the most critical information to share.

Product information: What are you shipping? Is it a dry or liquid product? What are its safe temperature ranges? Is it classified as hazmat or non-hazmat?

Equipment requirements: Are there any special unloading procedures—such as a need for rear or center unload—or specific hose lengths? You should also provide a list of “incompatible prior products,” which refers to substances that must not have previously been hauled in the tank or trailer used for your product.

Scale: Does your facility have a scale onsite? If not, a stop at a certified scale must be factored into the driver’s route.

SDS: Every chemical product should be accompanied by a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This document outlines the product’s chemical characteristics and safe handling requirements. Providing the SDS upfront gives carriers the information they need to prepare accordingly, reducing risks and delays.

Important SDS information includes the product’s density (which helps calculate how many trucks are needed), pH level (which affects the type of tank required—low-pH products may require specialized rubber-lined tanks), and viscosity (which determines whether the product can be pumped or requires an air compressor). Providing all this information upfront sets your shipment—and your logistics partner—up for success.

Learn more about what you can do to become a Shipper of Choice in Bulk Connection’s latest eBook.