Take control of your LTL shipping costs and accessorial fees with Shiplify’s Location Lookup Tool. This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to use the tool to get accurate location data, avoid unnecessary charges, and dispute incorrect fees.
Guide
Step 1: Select Your Carrier(s)
Before running a location lookup, choose the carrier(s) you are working with.
Why It Matters:
- Every carrier has a different definition for which Location Types are considered limited access or residential.
- Selecting multiple carriers allows you to compare tariff items and choose the most cost effective option.
Step 2: Enter the Location Details
- Enter a name (e.g., “The Lovett School” or “John Doe” or “XYZ Lumber Co.”)
- Input the full address of the shipment destination- our autocomplete feature will help streamline these inputs.
- If your address isn’t showing up in auto-complete, you can still manually populate each field and hit “Get Details”.
Pro Tip: Double-check the address for accuracy to ensure the best results.
Step 3: Click “Get Details” to Fetch Shiplify Results
Once you submit the location, Shiplify retrieves and analyzes key data about the address, including:
- Location Type Classification (e.g., Residential, School, Military Base)
- Tariff Items & Accessorials (e.g., Limited Access, Residential)
- Dock & Forklift Availability
Step 4: Understand Shiplify Location Types
Shiplify categorizes addresses based on 70+ different location types that directly correlate with LTL carrier rules tariffs.
Why It Matters:
- Carriers charge fees based on location type (e.g., Limited Access for schools, military bases, nursing homes, etc).
- Knowing the correct classification before booking allows you to get ahead of unexpected charges.
- Shiplify’s “Commercial” location type is used as a catch all for any type of location that does not fall within one of our other definitions.
Want to see the full list of Shiplify location types? Click Here
Step 5: Understanding Shiplify Confidence Codes
Each lookup result includes a Confidence Code that indicates Shiplify’s certainty about the data.
Confidence Code Breakdown:
- A1 → Highest Accuracy (Shiplify stamp of approval)
- A2-A4 → High confidence, but minor discrepancies possible
- U → Location not found (may need verification)
Why It Matters:
- Confidence Codes help users evaluate data reliability before making shipping decisions.
- If a location returns a low confidence code (e.g., U or A4), double-check the details before booking.
Step 6: Tariff Items – Identifying Accessorial Fees in Advance
What Are Tariff Items?
These are the accessorial charges that carriers use to determine extra fees based on location type. The most common ones are:
- Limited Access (LIM) – Applies to schools, storage units, military bases and other restricted areas.
- Residential (RES) – Applies to private homes, apartments, condominium units, etc
Why It Matters:
- Avoid surprise fees by knowing whether an accessorial charge applies before the shipment is booked.
- Use this data to notify carriers prior to booking or dispute incorrect charges on the back end.
Step 7: Compare Carrier-Specific Tariff Mappings
Not all carriers classify locations the same way.
Example: A car dealership might be considered Limited Access (LIM) by Carrier A & B, but not by Carrier C & D.
Why It Matters:
- Choosing the right carrier can save you money.
- Compare tariff items in real time across multiple carriers before making a decision.
Step 8: Checking for Dock & Forklift Access
Shiplify identifies whether a location has:
- A Loading Dock – No liftgate required
- A Forklift – Freight can be unloaded manually, potentially avoiding a liftgate fee
- Neither – Liftgate required (carrier may charge extra)
Why This Matters:
- Liftgate fees can add $25-$150 per shipment if no dock or forklift is available.
- Knowing dock/forklift details upfront allows you to:
- Choose the right carrier (some charge lower liftgate fees).
- Dispute unnecessary liftgate charges if a forklift was available.
- Prevent delivery delays due to missing equipment.
Step 9: Real-World Examples
Example 1: Residential Address (The McCallister Household)
- 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093
- Shiplify Classification: Private Residence → Residential (RES) Accessorial Fee Applies
- What This Means: Expect a residential delivery fee unless a carrier specifically waives it.
Example 2: School (The Lovett School)
- 4075 Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA
- Shiplify Classification: School → Limited Access (LIM) Fee Applies
- What This Means: Most carriers charge a Limited Access fee
Example 3: Car Dealership (Varies by Carrier)
- Some carriers classify dealerships as Limited Access (LIM), while others do not.
- Solution: Use Shiplify’s carrier mapping feature to select the most cost-effective carrier.
Step 10: Using Dock & Forklift Data to Avoid Liftgate Fees
- Example 1: A warehouse with a dock → Liftgate NOT required → Avoid extra fees.
- Example 2: A lumber yard with a forklift → Liftgate SHOULD NOT be required → Use Shiplify data to dispute fees.
- Example 3: A location with neither → Expect a liftgate charge, but knowing upfront prevents redelivery delays.
Step 11: Report an Issue – Help Us Improve!
Shiplify data is 99.5% accurate, but occasional errors occur. Your feedback helps keep our data the best in the industry.
Common Issues to Report:
- A location type is incorrect, i.e. a commercial business showing up as a private residence.
- Shiplify shows no forklift when one is present at the location.
- Shiplify is showing the incorrect location on the map for the address provided.
How to Report an Issue:
Click the “Report Issue” flag.
Leave a brief comment explaining the discrepancy. Our team will verify and correct the data within 24 hours.
Final Takeaways – Why Use Shiplify’s Location Lookup Tool?
- Prevent Unexpected Charges – Know Limited Access & Residential fees before booking.
- Reduce Liftgate Fees – Check for docks & forklifts before assuming a liftgate is needed.
- Make Informed Carrier Choices – Compare tariff classifications across different carriers.
- Improve Billing Accuracy – Avoid invoice discrepancies & dispute incorrect charges.
- Save Time & Money – Reduce redeliveries, minimize fees, and optimize logistics.
- Ship Smarter. Dispute Faster. Optimize Your Freight with Shiplify.
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