Information About LTL Shipping

Information About LTL Shipping

In reality, shipping is a huge part of the global business scene. Any product that is imported or exported must be shipped by some means and in many cases it is down to a science. A few hours here or there can make a huge difference for both the company shipping the goods and the one receiving them. One type of shipping that’s used in many different industries and in many parts of the world is called LTL shipping.

What Is LTL Shipping?

LTL shipping stands for ‘less than truckload’ and basically it means that the shipment in question doesn’t require a full trailer. A full truckload is typically a 48-foot or 53-foot trailer, so when a shipment is lass than these you’re getting into the LTL domain.

What Is LTL Shipping?

Just like many carriers specialize in full-size loads, there are also carriers that specialize in LTL shipping. Some of the characteristics you may find in LTL shipping include:

 

– Specialized services such as lift gate, residential pick ups or deliveries and protect from freeze. 

– Shipments made in van trailers or enclosed trailers.

– Companies that won’t accept shipments that don’t fit in the designated trailers.

– Multiple shipments being transported in the same truck.

– Strategically positioned terminals that enable carriers and drivers can consolidate all of the freight that must be picked up and delivered.

How Do Rates Work?

There are a handful of factors that go into determining the rates for LTL shipping. These include the:

– Class– Weight of the load.– Zip codes of the pick up and destination locations.– Any extra services the shipper wants included.– Fuel costs – Volume of each shipment.

How Do Rates Work?

Each carrier will have its own formula, but in general LTL shipping is more cost effective than using full-sized trucks when it’s unnecessary. It makes more sense financially to split the cost of the load with other companies that also do not have a full-sized load to send.

Importance of Packaging

All products that are sent via LTL shipping must be packaged well and labeled properly. Since there are different types of products traveling within the same shipments, the likelihood of one product damaging another is higher if they aren’t well packaged. Companies that package their shipments properly will often realize discounts from the carriers they use, because they don’t have to be as fussy about which products they include in a shipment.

How Do I Choose a Carrier?

If you are a company that does a lot of shipping, and feel like you’d gain an advantage with LTL shipping, it’s important to choose the right carrier. Look for a carrier that has:

– Competitive rates– Experience in the industry.– A wide variety of services.– Good reviews– Good customer service– Don’t be afraid to shop around and kick some tires, so to speak, before you

commit to using just one.

Benefits of LTL Shipping

Full truckload shipping certainly has its place in the world, but LTL shipping also has its share of benefits. The FTL shipping model only runs from point A to point B, but LTL carriers move around more like a courier company or parcel shipping company, picking up a lot of pieces and unloading them at a central hub or terminal.

Benefits of LTL Shipping

Some of the benefits of LTL Shipping include:

– More accessible services– Delivery and pick up to non-commercial sites.– Notification services– Partnership with airlines and railroads for greater cost-efficiency.– A better fit for scores of businesses.

Benefits of LTL Shipping

No shipping method is without glitches or imperfections, but a niche like LTL shipping will always appeal to all of the companies that for one reason or another just don’t have full truckloads to ship.

Further Reading…

Freightcom is a full service logistics provider, specializing in LTL shipping. Visit us today at http://www.freightcom.com/ to view our freight and shipping rates, and to take advantage of our shipping cost calculator.