What to Gather Before Requesting Liftgate, Pallet Jack, or Inside Delivery Review

Pickup Location

Start with where the shipment is being picked up. Pickup access can affect vehicle choice, loading time, equipment needs, and whether the freight is ready for transport.

• Pickup business name
• Pickup street address, city, and ZIP code
• Pickup contact name and phone number
• Pickup hours or appointment window
• Dock availability at pickup
• Forklift availability at pickup
• Whether a liftgate may be needed at pickup
• Dock, warehouse, suite, gate, security, parking, or access instructions

Delivery Location

The delivery location is usually where liftgate and inside delivery problems show up. Include access details before service is reviewed.

• Delivery business name
• Delivery street address, city, and ZIP code
• Delivery contact name and phone number
• Receiving hours or delivery appointment window
• Dock availability at delivery
• Forklift availability at delivery
• Whether a liftgate may be needed at delivery
• Whether inside delivery may be needed
• Dock, storefront, office, clinic, warehouse, jobsite, suite, room, gate, security, parking, or access instructions

Dock and Forklift Status

Confirm dock and forklift status before requesting liftgate delivery. A shipment that assumes dock access can quickly become a failed delivery if the receiving location has no dock or forklift.

• Does the pickup location have a loading dock?
• Does the delivery location have a loading dock?
• Is the dock accessible to the truck size needed?
• Is a forklift available at pickup?
• Is a forklift available at delivery?
• Is forklift use guaranteed or only sometimes available?
• Is ground-level unloading needed?
• Was a previous delivery attempted without the right unloading equipment?

Shipment Details

Royal Courier will need to understand what is being moved before reviewing liftgate, pallet jack, or inside delivery service.

• Shipment description
• Number of pallets, crates, cartons, cases, skids, or pieces
• Approximate dimensions
• Approximate weight
• Packaging type
• Whether freight is palletized
• Whether freight is crated
• Whether freight is fragile, high-value, oversized, business-critical, or difficult to replace
• Whether photos of the freight or packaging are available

Pallet Jack Requirements

A pallet jack may be needed when freight has to move after it is lowered from the truck. Pallet jack use depends on both shipment and building conditions.

• Does the freight need to move away from the truck after unloading?
• Does the freight need to move into a receiving area, lobby, office, clinic, retail space, warehouse area, facility room, or jobsite area?
• Can the freight roll safely on a pallet jack?
• Is the freight on a stable pallet or skid?
• Is the floor smooth enough for pallet jack movement?
• Are there ramps, thresholds, slopes, gravel, uneven surfaces, or tight turns?
• Are doorways wide enough?
• Is elevator access needed?
• Is the freight too long, tall, heavy, or unstable for normal pallet jack movement?

Inside Delivery Details

Inside delivery means the shipment may need to move beyond the curb, tailgate, or truck area. These requests need access review before service is confirmed.

• Does the shipment need to go inside the building?
• Where exactly should it be delivered?
• Lobby, receiving area, suite, office, clinic, warehouse area, back room, jobsite area, or facility room?
• Are stairs involved?
• Is there an elevator?
• Are hallways or doorways narrow?
• Are there ramps or thresholds?
• Is the floor surface smooth, carpeted, rough, uneven, sloped, or sensitive?
• Is room-of-choice placement being requested?
• Could two-person handling be needed?

Vehicle and Equipment Review

Vehicle and equipment needs should be reviewed before the shipment is accepted.

• Cargo van
• Box truck or straight truck
• Liftgate truck
• Pallet jack
• Hand truck or dolly
• Dock-high truck access
• Ground-level unloading
• Inside delivery review
• Two-person handling review
• Special handling review

Timing and Appointment Details

Liftgate and inside delivery requests often need timing review because receiving locations may have limited dock hours, appointment windows, staffing, or building rules.

• Pickup readiness time
• Pickup appointment time
• Delivery appointment time
• Required delivery deadline
• Receiving hours
• Whether same-day delivery is needed
• Whether after-hours, weekend, or early-morning delivery is being requested
• Whether waiting time may occur
• Whether a failed delivery has already created a new deadline

Access and Site Conditions

Access details can decide whether a liftgate or inside delivery request works smoothly or turns into a second failed attempt.

• Parking location
• Truck access limitations
• Gate or security instructions
• Building rules
• Suite, floor, department, room, dock, or receiving location
• Door width
• Elevator size and availability
• Ramp access
• Thresholds, slopes, stairs, gravel, grass, uneven pavement, or tight turns
• Distance from truck to final delivery point

Documentation and Proof-of-Delivery

Liftgate and inside delivery requests may need proof because the shipment can involve freight, equipment, commercial goods, or business-critical items.

• Signature requirements
• Photo proof requirements
• Delivery timestamp requirements
• Recipient name capture
• Condition notes
• Bill of lading, packing slip, work order, invoice, purchase order, or delivery paperwork
• Paperwork return requirements
• Who should receive pickup updates
• Who should receive delivery completion updates

Failed Delivery Recovery Details

If the shipment already failed because of dock, liftgate, pallet jack, forklift, access, timing, or vehicle issues, include the failure details.

• Carrier arrived without a liftgate
• Delivery location had no dock
• Forklift was not available
• Freight could not be unloaded
• Inside delivery was needed but not arranged
• Wrong truck or vehicle arrived
• Shipment was refused
• Delivery appointment was missed
• Access issue prevented delivery
• New delivery deadline after the failure

For failed shipment planning, visit Failed Delivery Recovery Service and the Failed Delivery Recovery Reference Index.