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    LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD

    Shipping & Delivery Requirements

    If you have questions regarding shipping and delivery, please contact email ra-lbscc@pa.gov.

    SHIPPING

    Physical Configuration:

    • All full loads and straight loads must be shipped on pallets (see below) or slip sheets. 
    • A fee will be charged for each pallet required for a slip sheet load.
    • Pallets must be used for less than load (LTL) shipments.
    • Pallets: 
      • Block pallets must have bottom supports on all four sides.
      • Pallets must be 48”x40” (U.S.)
      • Max Pallet heights including the pallet: DC4 FedEx Pittsburgh Max is 72” ; DC5 Philadelphia KLS Max is 104.”
      • All full pallets of the same item should maintain a consistent TI/HI configuration.
      • Pallets which contain more than one item must have the items separated by a slip sheet or pallet.
    • Bailment product delivered on the truck but is not on the ASN may be refused.
    • All products must be secured to the pallet with stretch wrap from top to bottom including the pallet for safety concerns. The wrap needs to be all the way to bottom of the freight and tied to the pallet.
    • Any pallet that does not conform to the standards above or requires the DC operator to rebuild the pallet will be subject to a nonconforming pallet fee per PLCB noncompliance fee schedule. 
    • Pallet exchange programs must be entered into with distribution center operators by shippers, vendors and carriers as is appropriate. The PLCB will not be a party to pallet exchange programs.

    Paperwork:

    • All loads must be accompanied by a printed Manifest, Bill of Lading, Delivery Receipt or comparable paperwork. No digital/emailed paperwork is accepted. The paperwork must include:
      • PLCB ASN number;
      • Number of cases by PA item code, Description and SCC;
      • Total number of cases; and 
      • Delivery date.
    • Loads with incomplete or inaccurate paperwork may be refused at the discretion of the DC operator.  
    • Noncompliance fee. Loads with incomplete or inaccurate paperwork may incur a vendor compliance fee. Incomplete or inaccurate paperwork includes:
      • Any load which includes an ASN on the physical delivery was not scheduled with the appointment.
      • Any load which includes item(s) which are not on the paperwork.
      • Paperwork missing required information noted above.
      • The noncompliance fee schedule may be found here.

    Fresh date/expiration date tracked product:

    • The expiration date must be printed on the case.
    • Fresh-dated product cannot have different dates on the same pallet.
    • Expiration date must be six months or greater from the receipt date.  The PLCB will refuse product with less than six months remaining. DCs may not accept any items for any reason with less than six months of shelf life.
    • Details may be found in the PLCB labeling procedures.  

    Any load refused will need to be rescheduled after the appropriate corrections have been made. 


    UNLOADING

    • Trailer condition must be able to support a 2500 lb. forklift safely. Trailers in unsatisfactory condition will be refused.
    • Loads delivered to PLCB distribution centers may need to be “driver unload.”
    • The distribution center operators will have available equipment capable of handling shipping modes to include pallet and slip-sheet.
    • Floor loaded (no pallet or slip sheet) trailers will not be accepted. Cases must be on slip-sheets or pallets.
    • Due to potential liability the contractor will not handle any freight other than product destined for scheduled location.
    • Unitized pallets (one code per pallet) will be unloaded and put away by the distribution center operator utilizing appropriate equipment.
    • All non-unitized pallets are required to have a physical separation between items, clearly marked. I.e., Slip -sheet or pallet to be considered a conforming load.
    • All non-unitized pallets arriving at DC4 FedEx Pittsburgh must be segregated by the driver or a “lumper” hired by the driver. The DC contractor will provide necessary pallets.
    • All non-unitized pallets arriving at DC5 KLS Philadelphia will be reworked by contractor. This work will be subject to non-conforming load charges.
    • A maximum of four hours will be allowed for unloading.


    APPOINTMENTS

    • Appointments are required for all shipments to PLCB distribution centers.
    • Failure to schedule a delivery appointment will result in the load being refused by the DC operator.
    • One appointment cannot exceed a full truck. i.e. 3 trucks cannot be scheduled for 1 appointment time.
    • If an ASN is delivered which is not scheduled on the appointment an incorrect paperwork fee may be charged (ref incorrect paperwork).
    • Appointments may be made up to14 days in advance to scheduled delivery.  
    • DC5 KLS Philadelphia - Appointments must be made through the KLS online portal called Open Dock (24/7).  Appointment changes such as cancellation, reschedule, add/remove ASN should be made in Opendock.  Questions may be directed to KLS.PHL.Appointments@dhl.com
    • DC4 FedEx Pittsburgh - To create or modify an appointment,  call the DC between the hours of 6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday – Friday. (412) 826-1199.
    •  If an appointment is missed, a new appointment must be scheduled per the steps above.
    • Appointment noncompliance:
      • Late arrival. Carriers that arrive more than 30 minutes after the scheduled appointment time will incur either a late accept or a late deny fee.   The decision whether to accept or deny is at the warehouse operator’s discretion. 
      • Late cancel. Appointments that require rescheduling must be rescheduled 48 hours or more prior to the appointment.  Any cancel or reschedule less than 48 hours will incur a late cancel noncompliance fee.
      • No show. Appointments missed, i.e. carrier does not show up for the appointment will incur a no call-no show noncompliance fee.
      • The fee schedule may be found here.

    RTVs:

    • An appointment must be scheduled to pick up RTVs. Contractors will not be held responsible to ship product back to Supplier.

    Collect shipments:

    • PLCB is not responsible for cost of any inbound shipments that are notated to be collected upon receipt at the DC.
    • If a shipment at receiving is discovered to be payable at receipt, shipment will be refused by DC contractor per direction from PLCB.

    Noncompliance fees:

    • Noncompliance fees are assessed to the supplier for appointment, pallet, and case labels which do not conform to the PLCB standards.  PLCB does not bill any third party contracted by the supplier (i.e. carriers, logistics service companies, label providers etc.).   The fee schedule may be found here.