Every trade show shipment travels with a piece of paper that says what it is, where it's going and...
What Is Forced or Rerouted Freight in Trade Show Shipping?
The show is over, your display materials are packed and you're headed to the airport. If your carrier doesn't pick up your freight on time, the show contractor will ship it for you, on its terms and at its price. That's forced or rerouted freight.
What forced or rerouted freight is
Forced freight, also called rerouted freight, is exhibitor freight that the show's general service contractor sends out with its own designated carrier, often called the house carrier, because the exhibitor's chosen carrier didn't collect it in time. The contractor has to clear the hall by a set deadline, so any freight still on the floor after the carrier check-in cutoff is "forced" onto the house carrier.
Why it happens
- No Material Handling Agreement. The outbound shipping paperwork wasn't turned in at the service desk, so the contractor doesn't know which carrier to release the freight to.
- Incomplete paperwork. The Material Handling Agreement is missing the carrier name, delivery address or piece count.
- The carrier is late. The driver didn't check in with the contractor before the outbound cutoff.
- The freight isn't ready. Pieces aren't packed, labeled or counted when the carrier arrives, so the carrier can't take them.
What it costs you
Forced freight is billed to the exhibitor, and it almost always costs more than a shipment you arranged yourself. On top of the higher rate, you lose control of how the freight travels, when it arrives and how easy it is to track. If the paperwork was incomplete, it can also be harder to get it to the right address.
How to avoid it
- Book your outbound carrier before the show starts, not on the last day.
- Complete the Material Handling Agreement fully before the event starts or turn it in at the service desk before you leave the show floor.
- Know the carrier check-in deadline from the exhibitor kit, and make sure your carrier knows it too.
- Pack, label and count every piece so the freight is ready when the driver arrives.
- Leave a contact number on the paperwork in case the contractor or carrier needs to reach you.
For how outbound freight fits into the rest of the show, see What Is Drayage in Trade Show Shipping?
How NorthStar helps
Your Shipping Coach books your outbound pickup when the inbound shipment is planned, helps you complete the Material Handling Agreement and makes sure our driver is checked in before the cutoff, so your freight comes home with us and not with the house carrier.
With our trade show shipping service, we book your return with the outbound shipment, so your freight leaves the show floor on time.
Have a show coming up? Request a quote, or reach a Shipping Coach at 703-532-0520 or shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com.
About the author
Rex Houlihan is the CEO of NorthStar Express, a trade show and event shipping company in Falls Church, Virginia that has been shipping to events for 35 years. Rex also created Coast2Coast4ALS, a cross-country bike ride raising awareness and funds for the ALS community. Connect with Rex on LinkedIn.