A call before delivery is an arrival notification to the consignee or site contact. Its purpose is to help the receiving team prepare for the vehicle. It is different from agreeing a delivery date or reserving a warehouse time slot.
| Arrangement | What it does |
|---|---|
| Arrival notification | Alerts a contact that the vehicle is approaching |
| Delivery appointment | Coordinates an agreed date or receiving window |
| Warehouse slot | Reserves access under the receiving site’s booking process |
When an arrival call can help
It may help a goods-in team identify the shipment or direct the vehicle to the correct gate. Give a reachable number and a contact who understands the delivery instructions.
It is less suitable as the only plan when a recipient must travel a long distance to the site or hire unloading equipment. Those requirements need advance scheduling.
What to confirm
Ask whether the notification can be included for the proposed route, who will be contacted and what the arrangement covers. The notice period may vary. Do not assume a standard number of minutes applies to every carrier.
Make sure the consignee knows the difference between a notification and a fixed delivery commitment. A driver calling ahead does not remove traffic delays, access restrictions or the need for a valid warehouse slot.
If you already have a fixed requirement
Provide the exact time window and receiving instructions when requesting the quotation. The manager can check whether the service can accommodate them and identify any additional conditions.
See appointment arrangements and logistics-centre deliveries for sites with formal receiving procedures.