Notify before delivery: how each carrier handles it
Notify before delivery asks the LTL carrier to contact the receiver before delivering. Carriers usually do this the day before or the day of delivery, by phone, email or portal. It is advance notice only. It does not set a delivery day or time: the truck can still arrive at any time during business hours.
- If the receiver needs a specific day or time window, book Delivery appointment instead.
- If the carrier can't reach the receiver, it may hold the freight. That can delay delivery and add storage charges. Make sure the delivery contact has a working phone number and email.
- Notify before delivery is delivery only. No carrier offers it on pickup through Mothership.
- It is not offered on Mothership Carrier Network (local) shipments. Those have their own Appointment and Automated delivery appointment options.
- Instructions like "call 30 minutes prior" in the BOL notes are best effort. Some carriers try to follow them. ODFL does not.
Overlap with other accessorials
Many carriers already make a call when the delivery is residential, limited access or appointment. For the carriers marked "Mothership drops the separate charge" below, the separate notification is left out of the quote so the customer isn't charged twice. Notify before delivery still prints on the BOL notes, so the carrier knows to call.
By carrier
| Carrier | How they notify | With appointment | With residential | With limited access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABF (ABFS) | The service center usually calls the day before delivery. It tries for a 30-minute heads-up if the notes ask, but doesn't guarantee one. | Same service, one charge. Typical window 8–5. A set day or time is a separate service. | Included | Included |
| Central Transport (CTII) | Per tariff item 647. Carrier hasn't confirmed details by email. | Included in appointment | Included | Not included. Charged separately. |
| Custom Companies (CTBV) | Handled as an appointment call (item 970-3). | Same service | Included | Included. Mothership drops the separate charge. |
| Daylight (DYLT) | Arrival notice (item 150), billed as their appointment fee. | Quoted as one appointment fee. Not confirmed whether the appointment includes notification. | Included | Included |
| Forward Air (FWDN) | Follows notification instructions on the BOL with "reasonable efforts," including requests for advance notice. Procedures vary by shipment and service level. | Separate services. An appointment doesn't replace a requested notification, and each is charged per the tariff. | Residential includes an appointment, so Mothership drops the separate notification charge. Any notification beyond that must be on the BOL and may be billed separately. | Not included. Must be requested on the BOL, and it is charged. |
| Frontline / STG (FCSY) | Handled as an appointment call (item 510). | Only the appointment is charged | Included. Mothership drops the separate charge. | Included. Mothership drops the separate charge. |
| Old Dominion (ODFL) | Calls or uses its portal as soon as the shipment is in transit. Does not do "call 30 minutes prior." | Same accessorial, one charge. Mothership drops notify when appointment is selected. | Not included. Residential is a separate upcharge. | Not included. Depends on the situation. |
| Roadrunner (RDFS) | The driver calls only if the BOL asks (for example "notify 1 hour before delivery"). Without that request, no call is made. A phone number must be on the BOL. Receivers can also follow the truck in Roadrunner's online tracking, which shows how many stops away it is. | The tariff charges only the appointment, but the carrier's API and email say both. Mothership drops notify. | Roadrunner calls for residential deliveries if a phone number is on the BOL. Mothership drops the separate charge. | Not every limited access delivery gets a call. Roadrunner needs a call or notify instruction and a phone number on the BOL. Mothership drops the separate charge (tariff item 760) but keeps the request on the BOL. |
| Saia (SAIA) | The terminal clerk contacts the receiver by phone, email or portal. If the BOL says "call 30 minutes prior," the driver calls when 30 minutes out. | Does both if both are on the BOL. Saia hasn't yet answered whether the call is billed separately from the appointment. | Included. Mothership drops the separate charge. | Not included |
| Southeastern (SEFL) | The clerk usually contacts the receiver the day the freight reaches the destination terminal. Delivery can be the next day. Requests for 24-hour notice are honored. | The appointment call covers the notification | Called at no charge if the BOL doesn't ask for it. If the BOL asks, it is charged (item 647). Residential receivers may also get a text or email link to pick a delivery day. | Same as residential |
| TForce (TFIN) | The terminal usually contacts the receiver the day before delivery, or sets a delivery date around the receiver's availability. "Call 30 minutes before arrival" is not normal practice and not part of the service. | Same rule (item 647), one fee whether notify, appointment or both are requested | Included. TForce schedules an appointment on every residential delivery and says the two won't be billed together. | Included (item 755) |
| XPO (XPOL) | Calls the receiver the day of delivery, when the truck is on its way (item 221). If the receiver answers with a time window (for example "home 12–5 today"), XPO may treat it as an appointment. | Separate services. If both are on the BOL, both fees apply. | Included (item 224). Without an appointment, XPO may leave residential freight unattended (for example in the driveway). If the receiver must be present, book an appointment. | Included (item 224) |
Other carriers: Echo (FTL) includes notification at no charge.