FAQs About Alaska Transportation and Logistics
Your questions about shipping to and from Alaska, answered clearly and simply.
Do you offer EDI/API connectivity?
Yes. Span Alaska provides EDI/API connectivity options for customers who want to integrate systems for tracking, invoicing, and communication. We also offer an Online Portal where customers can request rates, book shipments, track deliveries, and pay their freight bills instantly.
How long should an LTL shipment take to deliver once it sails/is on the water?
Ocean transit from Tacoma to Anchorage is typically four days. Door delivery is usually one or two days after vessel arrival, or according to a schedule that suits you best. Delivery timing may vary for destinations outside Southcentral Alaska, but our team will provide clear expectations at the time of booking.
Is special documentation required?
No customs clearance, duties, or tariff evaluation are required when shipping between two U.S. points. Even though your shipment moves by ocean, it is still a domestic transfer when traveling to or from Alaska. In most cases, a standard bill of lading is all you need. Additional documents may be required for hazardous materials or other regulated products, and our team can guide you through those requirements.
What kind of packaging is required?
Products should be packaged to handle normal transfers between transportation modes—such as moving from truck to warehouse and back to truck—and to help mitigate temperature fluctuations during transit. This applies to all types of products, including palletized loads, flatbed shipments, and oversized equipment. Palletizing is recommended whenever possible, and our team can advise you on the best packaging approach for your specific shipment.
Do you offer cargo insurance?
Yes. While we are not the underlying insurer, we can act as your agent to secure Shipper’s Interest (cargo) Insurance, which provides full-value coverage for your products while in transit.
What are the transit times from the Lower 48 to Alaska?
Ocean transit from Tacoma to Anchorage typically takes four days. Interior and remote destinations have set delivery timelines, and our team will provide the exact schedule when you book. You can also arrange for will-call pickup at our Alaska Service Centers.
Do you ship vehicles?
Span Alaska does not ship personal vehicles such as cars, pickup trucks, or SUVs. For personal vehicle shipping, please visit Matson. We do ship commercial vehicles, self-propelled heavy machinery, wheeled industrial equipment, and transportation rolling stock. Our team can provide requirements and pricing for these shipments.
Is there a weight or size limit to what you ship?
No set maximums. We regularly manage oversized and heavy shipments. Contact us for specialized logistics services if your product requires flatbed, step-deck, or multimodal solutions.
What if my shipment arrives damaged or partly missing?
Span Alaska delivers a high-quality, damage-free experience on the vast majority of shipments thanks to careful handling and a strong safety culture. In the rare event your shipment arrives damaged or is missing, contact our customer support team right away. We will initiate an investigation immediately and guide you through the claims process from start to finish.
What don't you ship?
Span Alaska cannot ship personal household goods, live animals, hazardous waste, or items restricted by federal or state law. Please contact us for a complete list of restricted items.
What industries does Span Alaska serve?
Span Alaska supports businesses of all sizes across Alaska’s economy, from established industries to entrepreneurs building new opportunities. We serve retailers and suppliers, food and beverage suppliers, construction and infrastructure firms, energy and oil and gas subcontractors, healthcare providers, tourism operations, and military and government agencies, along with many others that rely on consistent delivery throughout the state.
What types of logistics services does Span Alaska provide?
Span Alaska offers LTL, Flatbed and Heavy Haul, Small Parcel and Ecommerce Consolidation, Managed Transportation, Chill and Freeze, and Specialized Solutions.
Can Span Alaska manage time-sensitive shipments?
Yes. Our direct-to-destination model and regular sailings support reliable delivery for businesses with just-in-time needs, and we can also arrange expedited over-the-road or air service when your shipment requires faster movement.
Does Span Alaska offer temperature-controlled shipping services?
Yes. We provide Chill and Freeze services, as well as Keep From Freezing (KFF) protection in the winter months.
What is Span Alaska’s Destination Direct service?
Destination Direct means products are loaded once in Auburn, Washington, and shipped directly to an Alaska Service Center without rehandling. This reduces damage, shortens transit times, and improves delivery flexibility at the destination so customers receive shipments on the schedule that works best for them.
Where does Span Alaska operate?
Span Alaska moves shipments from any U.S. origin to destinations across Alaska. We operate Service Centers in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Kenai/Soldotna, Wasilla, and Juneau—putting 80% of Alaskans within 20 miles of one of our facilities. This network allows us to reliably serve communities of every size, from major metros to the most remote locations in the state.
Can Span Alaska ship products from Alaska to the Lower 48?
Yes. We provide southbound shipping from Alaska to Tacoma, with connections by truck or rail across the U.S. and Canada.
Can Span Alaska accommodate oversized or specialty shipments?
Yes. We manage oversized, heavy, or unique products with flatbed, step-deck, and multimodal options.
What are Span Alaska’s Safety Practices?
Our warehouse professionals undergo specialized training to ensure your cargo, and our people, remain protected. This includes:
Specialized Hazmat Handling: Comprehensive training on the identification, segregation, and secure stowage of hazardous materials in compliance with all federal regulations.
Workplace Safety Protocols: Ongoing instruction in OSHA standards, proper lifting techniques, and advanced forklift operation to prevent workplace injuries and cargo damage.
Our drivers are our most visible ambassadors on the road. To protect themselves, their coworkers, and the general motoring public, they participate in:
Defensive Driving Programs: Advanced training focused on hazard perception and accident avoidance in Alaska’s unique and challenging terrain.
Strict Compliance & Inspections: Daily multi-point vehicle inspections and adherence to Department of Transportation (DOT) safety ratings.
Continuous Improvement: Regular safety briefings and performance reviews to keep safety at the forefront of every mile driven.
Does Span Alaska offer shipment tracking or alerts?
Yes. Customers receive shipment alerts after sailing with details and estimated delivery dates. Regular shippers also have access to our online customer portal, where they can track shipments, view delivery updates, request rates, book loads, and manage their account in one place.
What is a claims ratio, and what is Span Alaska's claims ratio?
A claims ratio measures how often shipments are reported as damaged or lost. At Span Alaska, we focus on delivering high-quality, damage-free experiences, supported by rigorous safety practices and careful handling at every stage of transit.
Each year, approximately 99.88% of shipments are delivered without a claim, reflecting our commitment to protecting your products. This represents just one claim per 837 shipments, reinforcing the consistency, safety, and reliability our customers count on.
Still Have Questions About Alaska Shipping?
Our customer support team will help you get started shipping your products to, from, or within Alaska.