How to Become a Preferred Shipper: 3 Simple Steps To Gain Preferred Shipper Status
The driver shortage and changing fuel prices have altered how carriers and shippers work together. As freight transport is expected to grow a lot in the next ten years, shippers will face more competition to move goods and secure space.
Over-the-road (OTR) carriers face many challenges today. They’ve dealt with fluctuating fuel prices, tough rules, and higher equipment costs for years. Now, with limited capacity, carriers are picky about the freight they haul, favoring shippers who benefit them the most. Because of this shortage, shippers must aim to become preferred to get their freight moved.
Preferred Shipper Status Arises From Competition
Carriers have faced economic challenges like driver shortages and changing fuel costs, which changed how shippers work with them. With less capacity and more freight, shippers compete locally and in the market to move their goods. To secure space, shippers try hard to meet carriers’ needs and become preferred partners.
Carrier Challenges
The main issue for carriers is a driver shortage. Most drivers are around 55 and nearing retirement, while younger workers aren’t choosing trucking. In October 2025, the ATA said the U.S. was short 48,000 drivers, leaving fewer trucks available to move freight.
Strict rules—limits on driving hours, mandatory electronic logs (ELDs), higher insurance, stricter emissions, bad roads, and new drug tests—raise transport costs. They force carriers to replace equipment more often and pull drivers off the road, increasing expenses. Higher costs make it harder to pay drivers well and reduce turnover.
How Carriers Adapt
Carriers respond by shrinking service areas, using hub-and-spoke routes, and picking freight selectively. They prioritize making drivers’ jobs easier—losing a driver costs more than losing a customer. With a driver shortage, carriers only work with shippers who respect drivers’ time, skills, and effort.
The 3 Simple Steps to Become a Preferred Shipper
Helping carriers work smoothly and treating drivers well are key to becoming a preferred shipper—treating drivers well is the most important. By supporting carriers in keeping their equipment and making their work easier, you secure their capacity, even during tough economic times.
Reduce Dwell Time
Dwell time affects a carrier’s efficiency and a driver’s experience with your company.
What Causes Poor Dwell Time?
Inefficient loading/unloading procedures
Wrong directions – difficult for a driver to get to the right address
No drop/pre-loaded trailers
Unprepared workers
How to Fix Poor Dwell Time.
To fix dwell time, shippers have to plan ahead
Set an appointment time for the driver to arrive and have the freight ready to be loaded before the driver pulls up to the dock
Provide the driver with directions and make sure there is sufficient staff on duty to meet the driver and load/unload freight
Use drop trailers and palletize freight
Improve the Driver’s Experience
When carriers can choose which shippers to work with, they will choose ones who make drivers happy.
What Causes Bad Driver Experiences?
Lack of restrooms, vending machines, break rooms or a place to sit
Lack of parking could cause a truck driver to travel miles away, risking hours of service violations, just to find a place to sleep
Responsibility for loading/unloading the freight
Long dwell times
How to Fix a Bad Driver Experience.
Provide basic amenities: restrooms, vending machines, seating, parking, and equipment for tire refills or minor truck repairs.
Give drivers clear directions to the right dock door and have staff ready to handle loading and unloading.
Treat drivers with respect.
Build a partnership, as carriers want shippers to be strategic partners to improve productivity and efficiency.
What Causes a Bad Partnership?
Slow or missing communication
Uneven use of a carrier’s network
Low carrier scorecard rating
Carrier scorecards usually cover financial terms, fair extra fees, fair fuel charges, on-time payments, freight type, and how the company treats drivers and itself.
How to Fix a Bad Partnership.
Talk with them to fully understand their network – how they want to use it and how you can help them utilize it more effectively
Do your best to understand their challenges with equipment costs and the recruitment and retention of drivers
Implement EDI automation for fast and seamless transfer of documents to free up time for yourself and a carrier
Negotiating fair accessorial and fuel surcharge rates will help secure capacity, even though it may cost you extra
Approach a carrier and ask what they’re having trouble with and what lanes they need filled
Conclusion
Carriers focus on making their fleet run smoothly and keeping their drivers safe. Help carriers improve efficiency and treat drivers well, and they’ll prefer your freight over others.
Sources:
http://www.transolutionsinc.com/blog/become-a-preferred-shipper/
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