Limited access or non-Commercial service is applied when the location you are shipping from or to has some kind of restriction. This service option can be tricky because there are a lot of variations. In this article we cover the various things you should be aware of when requesting a non-commercial shipment to your LTL shipment. Questions? Call: 1-855-405-6789 (Ext. 855)
In this article we will answer these questions:
What is limited access service?
How much does this service cost?
What are some common misconceptions?
What are the types location would be charged for this?
What is limited access service?
Limited access service applies when the location you are picking up from or delivering to has some kind restriction that hinders a carrier from driving right up and delivering during normal business hours. Carriers charge for this service because these types of locations typically require more of their time to service.
How much does limited access service cost?
Limited access charges can range from $50.00 to $500.00 depending on the restriction type and specialized nature of the delivery. Most common limited access fees are for space limitations which tend to be between $50.00 and $175.00 depending on the carrier.
If you have a shipment that exhibits a qualifying restriction you should verify the charge and cost with the carrier you are considering before booking the shipment with them.
What are some common misconceptions of limited access services?
Residential service and limited access service are the same. While they are not commercial locations and have restrictions, residential shipments have a designation of their own. Carriers can have different charges for residential and limited access points in the same zip.
All limited access points require lift gates to deliver. While it is common that limited access locations need lift gates to deliver it is not always the case. A location can have a commercial loading dock and/or a forklift but still require limited access service.
Because we are picking up from a business, non-commercial service charges don’t apply. This is not accurate. A business location can require non-commercial service. See our list below.
What types of locations could be charged for limited access by an LTL carrier?
There are three basic reasons:
1) Tight Spaces requiring a truck smaller than 48′ long
2) Secure Facility requiring the driver through a security procedure to gain access.
3) Locations that are non-commercial in nature (i.e. open to the general public).
Examples of locations where an LTL carrier may charge a limited access.
- Airports
- Camps
- Car Dealerships
- Car Wash Facilities
- Cemeteries
- Churches or places of worships
- Construction Sites
- Country Clubs or Social Clubs
- Court Houses
- Day Cares
- Fairs or Carnivals
- Farms or Ranches
- Filling / Gas Stations
- Flea Markets
- Government Facilities
- Hotels
- Individual Mini-Storage Units
- Laundry Mats
- Libraries
- Marinas
- Military Installations
- Mines, Quarries, Natural Gas or Oil Fields
- Native American Reservations
- Nuclear Generating Stations
- Nursing Homes
- Orchards
- Prisons
- Correctional Facilities
- Restaurants
- Schools
- Ski Resorts, Chalets or Lodges
- Solar Farms
- State or National Parks
- Steel Mills
- Strip Malls
- Utility Sites
- Vineyards or Wineries
- Windfarms
- Commercial establishments not open to walk-in public during normal business hours
- Sites where security inspections and processes are required before pickup or delivery can be performed.
- Locations where pick up or delivery requires smaller than 48 foot trailers, including but not limited to straight trucks
Thanks for reading our article on limited access service. We hope it helps you achieve your goals. Let us know if you have any questions about limited access deliveries.