Customer must submit the work order or delivery order to PDS by 3:00 pm, local time, on the day before in order for transportation described in a work order or delivery order to be provided on the next day. PDS’s liability for loss or damage to the shipment will not begin until the shipment is in PDS’s actual possession (as evidenced by a signed bill of lading or interchange receipt). Any accessorial services requested (such as driver load, unload, count, stop-offs) and any pre-approved miscellaneous charges should be stated on the delivery or work order. Delivery or work orders may be provided to PDS by e-mail, facsimile, electronic data interchange or other mutually agreed upon means.

The delivery or work order should also include the following information: (1) Name of Customer, (2) Telephone number of Customer’s office providing the shipping instructions; (3) Commodity description; (4) Container identification number; (5) Container length and height, (6) shipment weight in pounds; (7) service required; (8) shipment origin and contact numbers; (9) shipment destination and contact numbers; and (10) any special routing or handling instructions (such as reefer temperature, fumigation, stop-off locations).

With heightened focus on transportation security, Customers must provide more detailed and accurate descriptions of commodities. Descriptions such as “FAK (Freight All Kinds),” “SLAC (Shippers Load and Count),” chemicals, household goods, sporting goods and consolidated cargo are no longer acceptable. Those descriptions are too vague and do not specifically describe a commodity. Customer should avoid use of vague catchall phrases and industry jargon. An example of an improved description may be “golf clubs” and “golf balls” instead of “sporting goods”; or “television sets” instead of “electronics.” Failing to provide accurate and detailed descriptions may result in transportation delays, additional accessorial and related costs and other adverse consequences.