Are Your Suppliers Shipping with Unauthorized Carriers?
Managing inbound freight is a constant challenge. One of the most frustrating and costly issues? Suppliers shipping with non-compliant carriers, ignoring your routing guide, and driving up freight costs.
Without proper enforcement, suppliers may prioritize their own convenience over your bottom line. They might choose carriers based on personal relationships, short-term cost savings, or simply out of habit—without considering how it impacts your transportation strategy.
The result? Lost visibility, higher freight costs, compliance risks, and invoicing nightmares.
The Hidden Risks of Non-Compliant Carrier Usage
When suppliers ignore your approved carrier list, the consequences ripple across your entire supply chain:
🚨 Higher Freight Costs
Non-contracted carriers often charge inconsistent or premium rates, leading to avoidable expenses. Without negotiated agreements in place, you’re exposed to unpredictable pricing fluctuations.
🚨 Lost Visibility and Control
If a supplier books with a carrier outside your Transportation Management System (TMS), you lose real-time shipment tracking, making it harder to anticipate delays and manage inventory effectively.
🚨 Compliance and Liability Risks
Many industries have strict regulatory requirements for carriers. If a supplier books an unapproved carrier, you may face liability issues, legal risks, or failed audits that impact your business.
🚨 Invoicing and Payment Headaches
Freight auditing becomes a nightmare when suppliers use non-contracted carriers. Extra administrative work, invoice discrepancies, and disputes can slow down payments and create unnecessary back-and-forth.
🚨 Operational Disruptions
Poor carrier selection can lead to missed pickups, late deliveries, or damages—disrupting your supply chain and customer commitments.
So, how do you stop suppliers from making unauthorized shipping decisions?
Take Back Control with Our Vendor Portal
At Hatfield & Associates, we built our Vendor Portal to solve this exact problem. Instead of chasing down suppliers and reacting to freight issues, our technology puts YOU in control—before shipments even happen.
How the Vendor Portal Works
🔹 Enforced Carrier Compliance – Suppliers can only book shipments using your pre-approved carriers and contracted rates, eliminating unauthorized choices.
🔹 Automated Routing Guide Adherence – The system ensures that each shipment follows your routing guide, preventing costly deviations.
🔹 Real-Time Shipment Visibility – Every shipment is logged in your TMS, providing full tracking and status updates without the need for constant follow-ups.
🔹 Pre-Approval Workflows – Need to make an exception? The system allows for pre-approval workflows, ensuring oversight without slowing down shipments.
🔹 Freight Audit and Payment Integration – With all shipments going through authorized carriers, invoice validation becomes seamless, reducing disputes and administrative overhead.
🔹 Seamless TMS Integration – The Vendor Portal works hand-in-hand with our Transportation Management System (TMS), ensuring end-to-end visibility and control.
The ROI of Enforcing Compliance
Companies that implement strict inbound freight controls see significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. By ensuring suppliers follow routing guides and use authorized carriers, you can:
💰 Reduce freight spend by eliminating overcharges and unexpected fees.
📊 Gain complete shipment visibility to make proactive logistics decisions.
âš– Maintain compliance and reduce legal risks with properly vetted carriers.
🛠Streamline freight payment and auditing to reduce administrative headaches.
🚀 Enhance supply chain reliability by preventing disruptions before they occur.
Take Control of Your Freight Today
Your suppliers shouldn’t dictate how your freight is moved—or how much you pay for it. With Hatfield & Associates’ Vendor Portal, you can finally enforce compliance, control costs, and improve supply chain performance.
📩 Want to see it in action? Let’s connect and discuss how we can optimize your inbound freight strategy.
