Freight Made Simple: Delivery Modes and Shipment Types at DWC

Shipping That Fits Your Business

For electrical distributors, freight isn’t just about moving products from point A to point B. You’re balancing cash flow, customer expectations, project deadlines, and accounting requirements all while keeping margins competitive.

That’s why DWC offers flexible delivery modes and shipment types that adapt to your workflow. Whether you prefer bundled freight, need line-item visibility, or want to leverage your own carrier rates, our shipping options are designed to support your business.

Here’s how each option works and the benefits it provides:

Delivery Modes: Choose What Works for You

Full Freight Allowed (FFA)

With FFA, freight costs are built directly into your DWC quote.

• What it means: No separate freight line item; shipping is built into your product pricing.

• Why it matters: Simplifies quoting and makes it easy to present clean pricing to your customers.

• Best fit: Larger shipments where bundled freight costs provide a straightforward, all-in price.

Example: A distributor ordering a full truckload of cable uses FFA to simplify quoting since freight is already built into the cost.

Prepay and Add (PPA)

With PPA, DWC or a designated third party pays the carrier upfront, then adds the charges to your invoice.

• What it means: Freight is handled for you, but billed separately from product pricing.

• Why it matters: Saves you from arranging freight yourself while keeping visibility in accounting.

• Best fit: Orders where you want freight managed on your behalf but shown as its own line item.

Example: A distributor selects PPA so freight appears as a standalone expense on their invoice.

Third Party / Collect

With this option, freight charges are billed directly to a carrier account you provide (Collect) or to your customer’s account (Third Party).

• What it means: You stay in control of the shipping account and how freight costs are billed.

• Why it matters: Lets you leverage your own carrier relationships or national pricing agreements, with direct visibility into freight spend.

• Best fit: When you want consistency with preferred carriers or need freight costs tied directly to your account.

Example: A distributor with a national UPS account chooses Collect billing so all shipments run through their negotiated rates.

Shipment Types: Right-Sized for Every Order

Along with delivery modes, DWC also offers different shipment types depending on order size and weight: 

• Full Truckload (FTL): A dedicated truck for one large order. Best for bulk shipments that maximize capacity.

• Less Than Truckload (LTL): Shares truck space with other freight. Cost-effective for mid-sized orders.

• Ground (UPS): For shipments under 150 lbs., delivered through standard parcel networks.

• Hot Shot (Expedited): For urgent situations, DWC can arrange direct, non-stop delivery. Best for critical orders where every hour matters.

Example: A distributor’s customer experiences a transformer failure late Friday. Hot Shot delivery ensures replacement components arrive Saturday morning, avoiding downtime.

Supporting Distributors Every Step of the Way

No two distributors handle freight the same way, and at DWC, we’re here to support yours. With flexible delivery modes and shipment types, we make it easier to quote with confidence, control costs, and keep your customers on schedule.

For more details on shipping terms, view our Freight Facts guide.

Ready to optimize your shipping? Contact your DWC Account Manager to discuss which approach works best for your next order.