Material Handling
Freeman is the exclusive provider of material handling services. Material handling includes unloading your exhibit material, storing up to 30 days in advance at the warehouse address, delivering to the exhibit space, the handling of empty containers to and from storage, and removing of material from the exhibit space for reloading onto outbound carriers. You have two options for shipping your advance freight - either to the warehouse or directly to the event site. Material handling charges will automatically be applied to your account upon receipt of each shipment.
Important Information
Certified weight tickets must accompany all shipments.
Any materials received and handled by Freeman are subject to material handling charges. This also applies to items not ordered through the Official Event Vendors.
Material handling charges will be assessed based on the type of shipment, the timetable of the delivery, and the delivery location. Shipments are subject to a 200lb minimum charge. See shipment type definitions, fees and surcharges, and delivery location information below for more specific details on when each is applicable.
Charges include the delivery of shipments to the exhibit space, storage of empty containers during the event and reloading shipments onto outbound carrier vehicles. See Other Freight Services section below for additional details on empty container storage and outbound material handling.
Disposal of exhibit properties is not included as part of material handling charges. Contact Us for quoted rates and rules applicable to disposal of exhibit properties.
Shipment Type Definitions
Crated
Material that is skidded or is in any type of shipping container that can be unloaded at the dock with no additional handling required.
Special Handling
Material delivered in such a manner that it required additional handling, such as ground unloading, stacked or constricted space unloading, designated piece unloading, shipment integrity, alternate delivery location, loads missed with pad wrapped material, no documentation and shipments that require additional time. Federal Express, UPS and DHL are included in this category due to their delivery procedures. Click here for detailed definitions of the categories listed above.
Uncrated
Material that is shipped loose or pad-wrapped and/or un-skidded machinery without proper lifting points. Uncrated shipments are only accepted at event site delivery location.
Carpet and/or Pad Only
Shipments that consist of loose carpet and/or padding only.
Small Package
A small package shipment is a shipment totaling any number of pieces with a combined weight not exceeding 30 lbs. that is received on the same day, from the same shipper, and by the same carrier.
Fees & Surcharges
The fees described below can apply to shipments sent to the warehouse or to event site. Refer to the labor rate schedule under Labor & Equipment to verify hours of operation for applicable fees and surcharges.
Late Arrival
This fee will apply to shipments delivered after the published deadline date. Refer to the event schedule for the event deadline dates.
Overtime
Fee that applies to shipments handled during the published overtime hours. This fee will apply when the shipment is received, loaded and/or unloaded during overtime hours.
Double Time
Fee that applies to shipments handled during the published double time hours. This fee will apply when the shipment is received, loaded and/or unloaded during double time hours.
Off-target
Fee that applies to shipments received after the designated target date and/or time has passed. This fee applies to display shipments only and will not apply to shipments of product, literature, graphics, audio visual equipment or display vehicles.
Delivery Location Information
Warehouse
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Event Site
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Other Freight Services
Other freight services defined below may not be available on all events. Be sure to review Material Handling and Labor & Equipment for additional information. If you still have questions, contact us.
Empty Storage
Empty container storage is the storing of containers emptied while setting up for the event and the service is included as part of material handling charges. Empty containers must be labeled for them to be stored during the event. Labels can be obtained from onsite Freeman personnel. Containers should be completely empty before adhering the empty label. Labeled containers will be picked up from the exhibit space and stored in non-accessible storage during the event. At the close of the event, the empty containers will be returned to the exhibit space. Depending on the size of the event, this process may take several hours.
Outbound Handling
Outbound handling is the loading of shipments onto outbound carrier vehicles and this service is included as part of material handling charges. Each outbound shipment must have a completed Material Handling Agreement to be loaded onto an outbound carrier. The Material Handling Agreement can be requested in advance by completing a material handling agreement. Be sure to create a new request for each shipping destination.
Motorized & Mobile Unit Spotting
A mobile unit is any vehicle or equipment that can be driven, pushed, or towed to the exhibit space on wheels. Self-propelled vehicles that can be driven to the exhibit space will be charged a spotting fee. Vehicles or equipment requiring extra labor or equipment to guide to the exhibit space may be charged as material handling or as a spotting fee with equipment and labor.
Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Deliveries
Privately owned vehicles are defined as vehicles intended for the transport of passengers. Shipment delivered via privately owned vehicles are generally accepted at all events, as the vehicle delivering materials to an event can be any type of vehicle. See the event schedule for exhibitor move-in dates and times.
Priority Empty Return
Priority Empty Return is an optional, value-add service that is offered for purchase. The customer purchases one label for each container being placed into Priority Empty storage. This service guarantees that empty containers with priority labels will be returned within two hours of event close.
When offered, labels are sold on a first come, first served basis, until the predetermined quantity for that event has been reached. Click Here for additional information.
Accessible storage
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Forklifts & Other Heavy Machinery Equipment
Forklift labor is available to assemble, or position displays within your exhibit space, and un-crate or re-crate materials, equipment, and machinery after your shipment is delivered to your exhibit space. Forklifts may be ordered in advance or on-site. We recommend ordering in advance, when possible, to avoid additional charges on site.
Forklift labor does not need to be ordered to offload and deliver shipments to your exhibit space.
On events where machinery or other heavy equipment will be displayed, we may have cranes or other types of heavy equipment machines available to help assemble, uncrate, and re-crate machines and heavy equipment. Review the Labor & Equipment page for more details.