Bamboo Flooring Shipping
Nearly all bamboo harvested for flooring is grown and manufactured in the Pacific Rim, generally
in China or Vietnam. The most economical and environmentally friendly practice is to ship this heavy
flooring in cargo containers on large shipping vessels to one point of interest and then directly to
the job-site. Oftentimes you’ll find that companies will import the material to one warehouse, then
distribute it to other warehouses and then transfer the products between warehouses. This practice
uses much more fuel and usually increases the cost to the end user.
Some companies offer free shipping on their bamboo floors, but the square foot price is higher. An average price you can expect to pay to have your bamboo flooring shipped ranges from $0.40 - $1.00, depending on the weight and distance. If you live in a metropolitan area, shipping can be drastic due to traffic, lack of parking, and inadequate conditions. Different distributors have different methods for delivery. Some are big enough to have their own trucks, some use LTL (less than truckload) carriers to deliver the flooring to your door, and some require you to pick up the flooring from a docking station.
Nearly all bamboo flooring distributors ship their flooring in boxes containing around 20-30 square feet and weight anywhere from 50 – 90 pounds each. When you receive your order, it should have instructions for installing the bamboo flooring right on the box or as an attached document.
After your order is placed and shipped, you should receive a shipping confirmation with some sort of verification number on it. Once you have that number, you can schedule and track your shipment with the corresponding shipping company.
When ordering a bamboo floor, remember that the shipping company can make mistakes that are out of the bamboo floor company's hands. When receiving your shipment, you will want to check for damage and....etc etc etc.
Storage
Construction delays are inevitable; make sure that if you pre-purchase your bamboo floor, it can be stored in
the supplier’s warehouse for enough time to allow your project to be ready for the floor. Some companies offer
this service for free, and some charge extra.
Frequent Problems with Shipping Companies
Most deliveries are curbside, as delivery drivers are not allowed to enter the premises ("premises" includes
driveway, yard, carport, etc) unless you specifically request this service, for which there may be additional
fees assessed to you. If the shipment is being made to you, make sure a life gate is installed on the truck
delivering your products. Shippers may refuse to drive up roads comprised of dirt, gravel, or any other non-paved
surfaces, or surfaces that are at a steep incline. Shipping is often not guaranteed. It is rare, but occasionally
the shipping terminal will forget to load an order onto that day's outgoing delivery truck. If you want to avoid
this, you can purchase guaranteed shipping service, however extra charges will apply; you must request this service
from your supplier well before your delivery date. Either way, it is recommended that you contact the shipping
agent the day of or day before you are to receive the goods to confirm your delivery. Make sure that the delivery
truck will have access to your home. If the goods need to be transferred to a smaller vehicle, you (the buyer)
will be responsible for those costs.
When your shipment is made
Make sure that you or the receiver diligently inspects the shipment. Look for any kind of damage: damage to the
box or to the product. Make sure to do a count of exactly how many boxes have been delivered. If anything is damaged
or missing, be sure to mark the problem on the BOL (bill of lading). This is important to do because if there
is a problem caused by the shipping company and it is not noted on the BOL, there is nothing that you or the
supplier can do. You will be stuck with the damaged products.
Shipping terms to know
Bill of Lading (BOL) – the written contract between shipper and carrier (or other agents) that identifies
the freight, who is to receive it, the place of delivery and terms of the agreement. All goods going to a receiver
at one destination in a single shipment or on the truck must be on a single BOL.
Cash In Advance (CIA) – a method of payment for goods before they are shipped.
Cash on Delivery (COD) – cash or check paid for goods at delivery, which may include the cost of shipping.
Liftgate – A mechanical tail gate capable of lifting a load from the street level to the haul of the truck
or trailer floor. Moving your bamboo flooring with out a liftgate or a forklift is time consuming and laborious.
Less Than Truckload (LTL) – A quantity of freight weighing less than 20,000 pounds or occupying less than
the full visible capacity of a trailer constitutes a LTL shipment. Most residential jobs are shipped via LTL carriers.