Shipping Terms & Conditions

Last Revised: 10/06/2025

CARGO CLAIMS POLICY

Advantage Transportation provides limited cargo coverage based on commodity type. For Wine, Spirits, Private Collections, Beer, and RTD Beverages, the released value is $200 per case or shipping unit. (Please note: Damage to one case does not mean the entire pallet is considered damaged.) For all other freight, the released value is $8,500 per pallet. If the actual value of any shipment exceeds these limits, customers must notify Advantage Transportation in writing and request additional insurance prior to pick-up, or obtain additional insurance independently. Shipments not declared for higher value will automatically move under the released value limitation, and the customer assumes all risk for any excess value.
Freight must be properly packaged, as coverage is void if the packaging is inadequate or unsuitable for transport. Drivers must be allowed to inspect freight at the time of pickup and may refuse to load any shipment that does not meet safe-handling standards.
Undeclared excess value is not covered under any circumstances. Once a claim is settled and paid, ownership of damaged freight transfers to Advantage Transportation. However, customers may choose to retain the damaged goods by notifying Advantage Transportation before the claim is finalized. In those cases, the settlement amount will be adjusted to reflect the retained value, and the arrangement must be agreed upon in writing during the claims process.

ADDITIONAL CARGO INSURANCE COVERAGE – PREMIUM

Advantage Transportation offers optional in-house insurance coverage for both Wine & Spirits and General Freight shipments. This coverage extends protection beyond the standard released values outlined in the Cargo Claims Policy. The insurance premium is calculated only on the portion of the declared value that exceeds the released value. The rate is 0.5% (½ of one percent) of the excess value.
Example:
A shipment of 56 cases of wine, each with a wholesale value of $1,000, has a total declared value of $56,000.
The released value for wine and spirits is $200 per case, or $11,200 total (56 × $200).
The excess value is $56,000 − $11,200 = $44,800.
At a rate of 0.5%, the additional insurance premium would be $44,800 × 0.005 = $224.00.
All requests for additional coverage must be submitted in writing and approved by Advantage Transportation prior to pick-up. Shipments not pre-approved for additional insurance will automatically move under the standard released value limitations, and the customer assumes all risk for any value beyond those limits.

PALLET OR CASE MINIMUM

There is a 1-pallet or a 56-case minimum per pick-up and delivery. Quantities less than the minimum will be invoiced at the minimum quantity.

Customers may consolidate multiple orders to satisfy the minimum quantity if the orders pick-up and deliver at the same location.

Advantage reserves the right to make changes to our rates at any time with or without notice. Advantage will attempt to notify the customer in advance if a rate change is in the foreseeable future.

DRIVER HANDLING CHARGE & WAITING TIME

Our services are “dock-to-dock.” The parties agree that at the pick-up location and delivery location loading and unloading the product from our trailer shall be under our driver’s supervision.

Our drivers are responsible for the method in which a trailer is loaded for safety purposes. Therefore, freight may be moved or restacked for this reason.

On occasion, our drivers may be asked to assist in loading or unloading freight. Our fee is $1.00 per case or $56.00 per pallet, with a 28-case minimum or ½ pallet minimum. This charge will show on your invoice. Drivers are not allowed to accept payment directly.

When our truck arrives at the designated pick-up location, there will be no charge for the first hour of waiting. When waiting time surpasses one hour, there may be a $100.00 per hour charge.

WEIGHT AND SPACE LIMIT

The maximum weight limit per pallet is 2,200 pounds and the maximum space limit is 4 ft (W) x 4 ft (D) x 4 ft (H).
An additional charge may apply if the pallet is beyond this weight and space limit.

SHIPPER LOAD AND COUNT

To assure your product is accounted for and loaded correctly, our driver must have access to the product while it is being loaded.

Our driver’s responsibility is to count the pieces and make sure the actual count agrees to the quantities on the bill of lading.

If the driver does not have access to the freight or is unable to personally count the freight, our drivers are instructed to write on the bill of lading “Shipper Load and Count.” This means that neither the driver nor Advantage Transportation can verify the quantities that are loaded and cannot be responsible for any quantity discrepancies.

CREDIT POLICY

Payment terms are net 15 days, payable electronically through a secure and safe portal called BILL.com. Advantage requires new accounts to be set-up on AUTOPAY.

Bill.com accepts most forms of payment. Please note, there will be a 3% convenience fee for credit card charges.

Call Karen Woodruff at 801-956-5344 or email her at karen@advantagetran.com to get set-up with Bill.com.

Accounts that are past due will be considered delinquent and subject to review. A monthly service charge of 1½% may be assessed.

FUEL SURCHARGE

Included in the rate structure is a Fuel Surcharge (FSC). The purpose of the Fuel Surcharge is to ensure that Advantage Transportation can maintain and continue service to our customers regardless of the market changes in the price of diesel.

Because of the extreme rising costs of truck equipment, parts, driver wages, and mandatory benefits, it is necessary for Advantage to implement a FSC “flooring” at 30%.

When the national average of diesel drops below $4.25 per gallon, a flat 30% fuel surcharge will apply and will be billed as a separate line item on the freight bill.
If the average price of diesel goes above $4.299, an additional FSC will be assessed as found on the chart attached.

The fuel surcharge is based on the national average price (per gallon) of diesel found at www.eia.gov.
A Fuel Surcharge matrix is included herein as a reference (See below) to disclose the fuel surcharge calculation.