Three Questions to Ask Your Expedited Trucking Provider

Nick Terry • November 30, 2023

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You’re on the edge of your seat, eyes locked on a cargo load filled to the brim with products that need to be halfway across the country within the next 24 hours. The clock is ticking louder and faster than ever, and there’s no room for mistakes. That's the high-octane world of expedited trucking for you, where every second counts and speed meets reliability.

Expedited trucking’s importance is at a fever pitch, ensuring that time-sensitive freight gets exactly where it needs to be and fast. It’s a world filled with opportunities. But only for those who know how to navigate it skillfully.

That's where you, as the shipper, need to make crucial decisions and steer through a sea of potential providers. It's a big deal: choosing the right expedited trucking partner is a mission that can make or break your operations and mean the difference between a spot-on delivery or a logistical fiasco. So, how do you make the right call? It’s about asking the right questions, understanding the nuances of expedited trucking, and finding a partner that gets it — really gets it.

In a Volatile Landscape, Shippers Turn to Expedited Trucking

The demand for expedited trucking is surging these days. Consider the following factors explaining why:

E-Commerce Explosion: With 20.8% of retail purchases happening online in 2023 and an anticipated increase to 24% by 2026, e-commerce is an undeniable driver of expedited trucking's growth.
Rising Consumer Expectations: Shopify reveals a striking trend: 60% of shoppers expect deliveries within a maximum of two days. Furthermore, nearly half (47%) of U.S. consumers are happy to pay more for faster service.
Tech Integration: GPS and tracking technologies ensure real-time monitoring and optimal route planning, leading to faster deliveries.
Diverse Offerings: Many trucking companies have broadened their services to include dedicated, intermodal, and brokerage options, enhancing their market resilience and creating new opportunities.

With an increasing number of expedited trucking providers entering the market to meet this demand, making the right choice is increasingly difficult. Yet, an excellent way to start this search is by focusing on the following three questions:

Question 1: What is Your Average Transit Time for Expedited Shipments?

Transit time is a binding promise to your customers and a critical piece in the puzzle of expedited transport that can make or break customer satisfaction. As a shipper, understanding the average transit time for expedited shipments is like having a crystal ball, giving you the foresight to set realistic expectations and keep your customers in the loop. It’s about reliability and consistency because, in the world of expedited transportation, every second counts. Consider the elements influencing transit time: the distance to be covered, potential route complications, traffic conditions, and the carrier's capabilities. It’s a delicate balance, and clear communication is key.

Question 2: What Measures Do You Have in Place for Cargo Security and Safety?

When it comes to expedited trucking, do not gamble on the safety and security of your cargo under any circumstances. It’s not about getting from A to B—it’s about getting there securely, with every item intact and accounted for. Explore the provider’s security measures, from sophisticated tracking systems and rigorous driver training programs to secure storage and transit facilities. Let’s also not forget about compliance—adhering to industry regulations and safety standards is not just a good practice. By championing technology and best practices in cargo security and safety, your expedited trucking partner plays a crucial role in safeguarding your shipments and your peace of mind.

Question 3: How Do You Handle Unexpected Delays or Issues During Transit?

Transportation, by nature, is fraught with unpredictabilities, and expedited transport is no exception. Here is where the resilience of your expedited truck provider gets put to the test. Ask about their approach to handling delays and issues during transit. What’s their strategy for communication and problem-solving when the clock is ticking? It’s about establishing trust and ensuring that you’re in the loop if hiccups occur and your provider is actively pursuing solutions. A provider with robust contingency plans and a proactive approach is worth their weight in gold, turning potential transit disruptions into mere bumps in the road.

Empower Your Shipping with EFS

Choosing the right expedited trucking provider is more crucial than ever, with speed and dependability taking center stage. With the e-commerce boom fueling demand and customer expectations for quick deliveries at an all-time high, the market is full of options. This abundance makes finding the perfect partner a complex task, necessitating a strategic approach. While the three questions we focused on are an excellent way to start your search, they are only a means to an end. That’s where Entourage Freight Solutions (EFS) comes into play.

EFS is a dedicated third-party logistics company focused on express shipping and stands out in this crowded marketplace with a suite of services tailored to the unique demands of expedited shipping. From Full Truckload to Less Than Truckload and from Refrigerated Trucking to Special Projects, EFS has the capabilities and expertise to handle your shipments with precision and care. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they also leverage state-of-the-art, GPS-enabled technologies to ensure real-time visibility and optimal routing for speed, safety, and efficiency.

So don't leave your expedited shipping needs to chance; contact EFS today to request a quote and take the first step toward a seamless and secure shipping experience.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.