Inside Pickup / Delivery

What is inside pickup and delivery?

Standard freight delivery is curb-to-curb, meaning the truck driver will deliver the freight to the loading dock, side of the road, or to the end of the driveway. When a shipper requests inside services, the freight is picked up or delivered up the driveway, near the door, or to/from a warehouse or garage (if one is available).

However, before choosing inside pickup/delivery as an accessorial, it’s important to know what this service does and does not include. Each carrier may also have their own procedures for inside delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inside pickup/delivery to and from residences

It is important to keep in mind that when choosing inside pickup or delivery from or to a residence that drivers will not take freight inside a home for delivery and they will not enter the home to pick it up. They will instead move the freight from or onto a driveway, porch, or garage. It is very important to plan for this, as freight that is unable to pick up or deliver as specified may incur additional fees.

Inside pickup/delivery to businesses

If picking up or delivering from/to a business, inside service generally means the shipment will be picked up from or left inside the door of the business. The carrier will typically bring the freight a few feet inside the main entrance when delivering. If the freight needs to be picked up or delivered to the interior of the building, up a staircase or up an elevator, the pickup or delivery charge may increase.

Drivers will not break down freight to move it through doors. If your freight is larger than the entryway, a driver will have to leave it outside. Drivers will also not perform “extraordinary” functions, including picking up or delivering up long or difficult drives, or attempting to pick up or deliver in any area that is unsafe for them or their normal equipment such as a narrow hallway or steep stairs. It is important to account for this ahead of time, or risk incurring additional fees.