When you purchase a laboratory refrigerator, freezer, ultra-low temperature freezer, or other large piece of laboratory equipment from Munday Scientific or Microscope Marketplace, getting the equipment safely to your facility is an important part of the process.

One of the most common questions we receive is:

“What does freight shipping actually mean?”

Unlike a small package from UPS or FedEx, laboratory refrigerators and freezers are typically too large and heavy for standard parcel delivery. They are normally secured to a pallet and transported by a freight carrier.

There are three common delivery options you may see when ordering from us:

1. Standard LTL Freight

2. LTL Freight with Liftgate Service

3. White Glove Delivery

The right option depends heavily on your facility, whether you have a loading dock or forklift, and how much assistance you need getting the equipment into its final location.

1. What Is Standard LTL Freight?

LTL stands for “Less Than Truckload.”

Instead of hiring an entire tractor-trailer for your refrigerator or freezer, your shipment shares space on a truck with freight belonging to other customers.

For laboratory equipment, the refrigerator or freezer is generally packaged, secured to a pallet, and transported by a commercial freight carrier.

Standard LTL is generally best for:

• Hospitals

• Universities

• Research facilities

• Laboratories

• Warehouses

• Pharmaceutical facilities

• Larger businesses with receiving departments

• Facilities with a loading dock or forklift

Here's the important part:

Standard LTL freight is generally dock-to-dock transportation.

The driver's primary responsibility is transporting the freight to the delivery location. If your facility has a commercial loading dock, the truck can back up to the dock and your receiving department can unload the pallet.

If you do not have a loading dock or forklift, standard LTL freight may not be the right choice.

The freight carrier generally is not responsible for carrying your refrigerator or freezer inside your building, unpacking it, moving it down hallways, taking it up an elevator, or placing it in your laboratory.

That is where liftgate and white glove services come into play.

2. What Is LTL Freight With Liftgate Service?

A liftgate is a hydraulic platform mounted on the back of a freight truck.

If your facility does not have a loading dock or forklift, the driver can use the liftgate to lower the pallet from the truck to ground level.

This is extremely helpful for:

• Doctor's offices

• Small laboratories

• Veterinary clinics

• Dental offices

• Private practices

• Smaller businesses

• Facilities without commercial loading docks

What does liftgate service actually include?

Think of it this way:

Standard LTL: Truck → Loading Dock

LTL With Liftgate: Truck → Ground Level

The liftgate solves the problem of getting a heavy refrigerator or freezer off the truck.

However, this is where customers sometimes misunderstand the service.

Liftgate service does not normally mean inside delivery.

The driver may lower your pallet to the ground, but that does not necessarily mean the driver will:

• Move the refrigerator into your building

• Take it through doorways

• Move it through your laboratory

• Navigate elevators

• Remove the pallet

• Unpack the refrigerator

• Remove packaging

• Place the unit in its final operating location

If you need that level of service, you should consider White Glove Delivery.

3. What Is White Glove Delivery?

White Glove Delivery is our highest level of delivery service.

This option is designed for customers who don't have the equipment, personnel, or receiving department necessary to handle a large refrigerator or freezer.

Rather than simply delivering a pallet to a loading dock or lowering it to the ground, a white glove delivery service is intended to provide significantly more assistance getting the equipment into the facility.

Depending on the specific service quoted for your order, White Glove Delivery may include:

• Scheduled delivery

• Liftgate service when required

• Moving the equipment inside the building

• Transporting it through hallways and doorways

• Elevator delivery when accessible

• Moving the unit closer to its intended location

• Unpacking or removing shipping materials

• Removing the unit from the pallet

• Placement in the designated room or area

• Removal of packaging materials

White glove services can vary by carrier and location, so it is important to confirm exactly what is included with your particular delivery.

White glove delivery is particularly useful for doctor's offices, laboratories, clinics, pharmacies, and facilities that do not have dedicated receiving personnel.

Which Shipping Option Should I Choose?

A simple way to decide is to ask yourself:

Do you have a loading dock or forklift?

YES → Standard LTL Freight may be all you need.

Your receiving department can unload the refrigerator or freezer and move it to its final location.

No loading dock, but you can move the equipment yourself once it is on the ground?

Choose LTL Freight With Liftgate Service.

The carrier can lower the pallet from the truck to ground level, and your staff can take it from there.

Need help getting the refrigerator or freezer inside?

Choose White Glove Delivery.

This is generally the best choice when you don't have the personnel or equipment necessary to safely move a large laboratory refrigerator or freezer.

A Simple Comparison

White glove services vary. Always confirm the exact scope of service included with your order.

Before Ordering, Think About Your Facility

Laboratory refrigerators and freezers can be large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver.

Before selecting a shipping method, consider:

Loading Dock

Does your building have a commercial-height loading dock that can receive a tractor-trailer?

Forklift or Pallet Jack

Does your facility have equipment available to safely unload and move the shipment?

Doorways

Measure the doors the refrigerator or freezer must pass through. Remember to account for the unit's packaging if it will remain packaged while being moved.

Hallways

Make sure there is enough room to maneuver the equipment around corners.

Elevators

If the equipment is going to another floor, verify the elevator's:

• Door opening

• Interior dimensions

• Weight capacity

Stairs

Never assume a standard freight or white glove service includes moving heavy laboratory equipment up or down stairs. Stair carries should be discussed before the shipment is scheduled.

Final Placement

Know exactly where you want the refrigerator or freezer located before delivery day.

Important: Inspect Your Shipment Before Signing

Regardless of which shipping method you choose, inspect your refrigerator or freezer when it arrives.

Large laboratory equipment can travel hundreds or thousands of miles through multiple freight terminals before reaching your facility.

Before signing the delivery receipt:

1. Look at the outside of the packaging.

2. Check for crushed corners, holes, tears, punctures, or broken pallet boards.

3. Look for signs that the unit may have shifted or tipped.

4. Take pictures of the shipment while it is still on the truck or immediately after unloading.

5. If you see damage, note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing.

6. Contact Munday Scientific or Microscope Marketplace promptly if you believe the equipment was damaged during transportation.

Do not simply sign a clean delivery receipt if there is obvious visible damage to the shipment.

Photographs and properly documented delivery exceptions can be extremely important when dealing with a freight damage claim.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Us

We understand that most people don't order a laboratory refrigerator or freezer every day.

Terms such as LTL, liftgate, dock delivery, inside delivery, and white glove delivery can be confusing if you've never dealt with commercial freight before.

That's why we're happy to help.

When purchasing laboratory refrigeration equipment from Munday Scientific or Microscope Marketplace, tell us about your facility:

Do you have a loading dock? Do you have a forklift? Is the refrigerator going upstairs? Do you have an elevator? Do you need the equipment brought inside? Do you need help getting it into its final location?

The more we know before the equipment ships, the easier it is to select the appropriate delivery service.

The Bottom Line

Remember these three simple definitions:

LTL Freight = Deliver it to my loading dock.

LTL + Liftgate = Get it off the truck and down to ground level.

White Glove = I need additional help getting this large piece of equipment inside and into position.

Choosing the right service ahead of time can make the difference between a smooth delivery and having a 500-pound laboratory freezer sitting outside your building with no way to move it.

If you're unsure which option you need, contact Munday Scientific or Microscope Marketplace before placing your order. We'll help you determine the best shipping method for your facility and equipment.