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A | This website is designed to work best with the following browser versions:

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Q | Does E-Billing mean that my invoices will arrive via email?

A | As soon as a E-Billing request has been made, you will receive regular emails to which the latest invoice is attached. You can view your electronic invoice within email. The invoice will be presented in portable document format (PDF) which is a clear replication of the traditional paper bill.In addition, you can save this file to your computer for future reference.

Q | What can I do with this invoice in PDF?

A | PDF files can be saved to your PC, printed, faxed, or attached with an email.

Q | What do I need to receive invoices electronically?

A | To receive bills electronically, all that you require is Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on your computer.

Q | How do I get Adobe Acrobat Reader software?

A | This can be downloaded for free from Adobe.

Q | Will E-Billing cost me anything?

A | No. All registered customers can receive an electronic invoice in PDF attached to an email free of charge.

Q | Can I get invoices via email and U.S. mail at the same time?

A | Email ARStating@saia.com if you require invoices emailed and mailed.

Q | Are volume quoted shipments eligible?

A | Yes, as long as they move on Saia equipment (excluding LinkEx).

Q | Are shipments to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada covered?

A | Yes, as long as they originate on a Saia bill of lading (excluding LinkEx). See 108 Section 8 under the Rules & Special Charges for special rules applicable to Mexico.

Q | Are used goods covered?

A | Yes, as long as the value can be supported by an invoice or accepted means of documentation. For exceptions such as household goods/personal affects see 108 Section 8 under the Rules & Special Charges for full details.

Q | Are concealed damages and shortages covered?

A | | Concealed damages which occurred during the coverage period and where goods are not subsequently moved to another location are to be properly reported with required photos of damage within 15 days of delivery to Saia customer service.  For White Glove Service  including unpacking/light assembly, the consignee is to fully inspect and report damages at the time of service since there is no allowance to report damages after the service is completed. See 108 Section 8 B. (d.) regarding Tradeshow exceptions to concealed damage notification.

Concealed shortage must be properly reported same day as delivery and not subsequently moved to another location to Saia customer service.  See exceptions for White Glove 108 Section 8 B. d. (iii.) and Tradeshow 108 Section 8 B. e.(iii)

Q | Are there any exclusions for eligibility?

A |

• LinkEx shipments , Shipments not originating on a Saia BOL.

• Request for Full Value Coverage after the shipment is tendered to the carrier.

• Excluded goods and other exclusions listed in Saia Tariff Item 108 Section 8.C under the Rules & Special Charges.

Q | Does the product have to be held for salvage, inspection, and/or repair?

A | Yes, all product must be held until claim is finalized.

Q | Do I file the claim with Saia or with the insurance provider?

A | Claim should be filed with Saia under the normal requirements which include but are not limited to:

• Mitigation/repairs

• Payment of the full Saia freight charges within terms,

• Proper documents to support original value and repairs.

When the file is verified, Saia will transmit to the insurance provider accordingly. Payments will be made to the claimant directly from the insurance provider. For status, please contact claims.

Q | How do I obtain Full Value Coverage on a shipment valued less than $250,000?

A | Simply note on the BOL at least in 1 inch in height “FULL VALUE COVERAGE and $__________” the invoice value amount.

Q | How is the rate cost calculated and is there a minimum charge per shipment?

A | Rates are .80 cents per $100 of the invoice value, minimum charge $72.50 per shipment Full Value cost, ex: Invoice value of $25,000 X .8% = $200.00

Q | How do I obtain Full Value Coverage on a shipment valued more than $250,000?

A | In addition to the BOL instructions above, requester must contact Saia rates department at 1-800-950-7242 x2350 for written authorization and a quote number before shipment is tendered to Saia.

Q | How do I obtain a copy of the full details pertaining to Full Value Coverage?

A | 108 Section 8 under the Rules & Special Charges.

Q | Is there a deductible?

A | No, there is no deductible on Full Value Coverage

Q | Is there a per pound limit?

A | The carrier’s standard per pound liability limits are not applicable with Full Value Coverage.

Q | If refused at delivery due to no error of the carrier (ex: wrong color, wrong order) and must be returned with charges does Full Value Coverage need to be purchased again on the return?

A | Yes, as the original delivery was complete.

Q | Is proper packaging required?

A | Yes, standard NMFC packaging requirements must be met.

Q | Is Protect from Freezing Service eligible?

A | Yes, if the notation is made for this service on the original BOL and the damage is the result of a fortuitous event or occurrence or inadvertent acts or errors by the carrier.

Q | What is the benefit of purchasing Full Value Coverage?

A | Regardless of who is at fault, physical loss or damage up to the invoice value, plus freight charges, plus 10% is covered during the time it leaves the shipper’s facility until it reaches final destination as per the Bill of Lading.

Q | What is the coverage period?

A | Coverage commences from the time Carrier takes possession of the goods and continues in force during the ordinary and customary course of transit to the final destination. Final destination is the delivery location specified on the bill of lading.

Q | What is the covered value?

A | The covered value is the sum of the invoice value plus freight charges plus 10%. Covered value calculation: ex: $15,000 invoice value requested + $150 freight charge = $15,150 . $15,150 + 10% ($15,150 x 1.10)=$1,515 . Total $16,665 ($15,000 + $150 + $1,515)

Q | What is the maximum allowed coverage per shipment?

A | The limit of liability of any one shipment is US $250,000.00 per shipment, $500,000.00 per one land conveyance, $1,000,000.00 in any one location at one time unless otherwise agreed in writing in advance of shipment. See details and exceptions to limits on household goods, personal effects, excluded goods (when approved), shipments requesting White Glove, shipments involving trade shows, and shipments to Mexico as outlined in our rules tariff Item 108 Section 8 B under the Rules & Special Charges.

Q | Are shipments requesting White Glove services covered?

A | Yes with the following provisions as per 108 Section 8 B. (d.):

1. Coverage is available only within the 48 contiguous states of the United States of America.

2. Coverage is limited to $100,000 per shipment unless additional coverage is requested in writing and approved to services commencing.

3. Concealed shortages of parts/and or components are not covered.

4. When the service includes unpacking/light assembly, the consignee is to fully inspect and report damages at the time of service since there is no time frame allowance to report damages after the service is completed.

Q | Are shipments involving Tradeshows and or Exhibits covered?

A | Yes with the following provisions as per 108 Section 8 B. (e.):

Coverage is limited to $50,000 per any one carton, package, box, or crate unless additional coverage is requested in writing and approved prior to services commencing Damage or loss must be noted on the delivery receipt. 

The declared value will be defined as commercial value of the goods for new cargo and actual cash value or replacement value for used items

The following are not eligible for Full Value coverage:

1. Televisions/monitors

2. Concealed Damages and concealed shortages

3. Loss arising from wear, tear, gradual deterioration, depreciation, or inherent vice.

4. Any mechanical, electrical, electronic, digital breakdown or derangement unless caused by an accident during the coverage period.

5. Any financial impact from delays or late arrivals

6. Previously used shipping labels must be removed.

Q | Is there any type of freight Saia does not transport?

A | Although we ship an array of freight, there are certain articles that Saia cannot ship, including (but not limited to) antiques, works of art, explosives, temperature controlled material, currency, and hazardous waste. For complete details, view our Rules and Special Charges information page, or contact your account executive.

Q | How do I calculate the density of my freight?

A | Simply use our Freight Density Calculator or to obtain the cubic dimensions of a shipment: measure length, width and height. Next multiply length, width and height to calculate the cubic dimension in inches. To convert cubic inches to cubic feet, divide cubic inches by 1728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). To determine density, divide the weight of the shipment by the number of cubic feet.

Q | How do I determine what class my freight is?

A | Freight classification is the description of goods used as a standard to uniformly identify and rate items of transport by a carrier. Saia uses the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), which takes into consideration the different qualities of an article of freight, along with the other cost factors to determine the classification.

Q | Who do I call for special handling needs?

A | You may call Saia’s Custom Solutions team

Q | I have billing questions, who do I contact?

A | You may contact our Rates Department

Q | How should I package my freight?

A | All freight should be packaged according to the NMFC classification requirements for each described item being shipped. In any case, all freight must be packaged in a manner suitable to withstand the rigors of LTL general commodities transportation. If the product is of a nature requiring specific handling, such instructions or other markings should be on the outer packaging itself (e.g. this end up, fragile-top load only, do not double stack, directional arrows, etc.). Large shipments with multiple packages should be palletized and stretch wrapped, bundled, tied, or banded together. None of the product itself should ever be exposed and should always be contained within a carton, crate, or other protective device or container.

Q | How should I label my freight?

A | Each package of every shipment must have a label to signify the shipper and consignee, the COMPLETE physical address of each (to include ZIP CODE), and such label must be clearly legible. These labels should be placed in a conspicuous place on each item shipped. Additional information such as shipper and consignee phone number, bill of lading number, purchase order number, carrier pro number, and date shipped are items that when printed as part of the shipping label, assist the carrier in matching the freight to the proper shipment and/or owner of the goods.

You can generate labels here.

Q | What kind of expedited services does Saia offer?

A | We offer Custom Solutions (expedited, non-business hours, white glove service) or Saia Guaranteed (delivery by 12 PM or 5 PM).

Q | How much will it cost for my shipment?

A | For a quote, click click here.

Q | Do I have to register to receive a quote?

A | No, we offer a general quote option.

Q | What is the quote # on my on-line rate quote used for? Should I include on my Bill of Lading?

A |The quote number is assigned as requested and is used when invoicing your shipment. You should reference this number on your Bill of Lading for tracking purposes.

Q | What is a NMFC class and how do I know which one to use?

A | A shipment’s freight class is needed in order to calculate freight charges. Most providers of ground transportation use a reference called the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) to determine freight classes for rating purposes. The motor carrier industry defines products being shipped according to certain characteristics: density, stowability, handling and liability. Each definition, or description, is called a freight classification. The NMFC item number and the text describing the commodity should be stated on the bill of lading for every shipment tendered to Saia.

Q | How do I get information about my shipments?

A | On our website, we offer on-line tools such as Tracking, Quotes, Transit Times and Documents. You may also:

• Contact customer service

• Utilize our IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system

• Contact your account executive

• Utilize our EDI capabilities

Q | What is a freight bill/pro # and how should it be entered?

A | Freight bill /pro # is a number assigned to each shipment by the carrier and used for tracking the shipment to its destination. Freight bill numbers vary in how they are formatted. At Saia, we check status by the 11-digit number (no dashes). The last digit is a check digit and is not needed for tracking purposes.

Q | What options can I use to trace my shipments?

A |

• Pro – Number assigned to each shipment by carrier for tracking purposes

• Bill of Lading – Legal contract between the shipper and the carrier for the transportation of goods

• Shipper – Number that shipper assigns to shipment

• Partner – Partner’s pro #

• P.O. – Vendors Purchase Order number

Q | Why can’t the tracking system find my freight bill number?

A | Valid pro numbers are always found in our system. Please check your pro number for any errors

Q | Can I link to Saia’s tracking functions from my own website?

A | Yes, for all pertinent information access our Web Integration Services. All programming details are included.

Q | How do I determine if a destination point is served direct?

A | Our on-line service coverage displays information such as points served, terminal locations and transit time calculator.

Q | Does Saia offer complete coverage of the United States?

A | For extended service information click here.

Q | What is the timeframe to schedule a pickup to meet transit times provided with the calculator?

A | Schedule a Pickup online or call in as soon as the shipment is available. Requests received after 3 p.m. will possibly be scheduled for the following business day.