Product Name
LTL Freight Shipping Quote
Brief Description
A service that provides pricing for Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight shipments, which are shipments typically weighing over 150 lbs but not requiring a full truck trailer. This service allows businesses to get an estimated cost for transporting goods by sharing truck space with other shippers.
Popular Applications & Uses
- Shipping goods that are too large for standard parcel services but too small to fill an entire truck.- Cost-effective transportation for small to medium-sized businesses.- Moving palletized freight, crates, and oversized parcels.- Supply chain management for businesses with varying shipment sizes.
Industries that Commonly Use It
- General Manufacturing- Retail, Retail Stores- Food & Beverage Company or Distributor- Industrial Supply- Construction/ Building Services- Furniture- Automotive Service/Repair- Distributers & Resellers- Logistics- Transportation/ Specialty Vehicle- Packaging Services or Contractor
Special and Unique Features
- Cost-effectiveness: Only pay for the space your cargo occupies, making it more economical than Full Truckload (FTL) for smaller shipments.- Flexibility: Accommodates shipments of various sizes that don't require a full truck.- Network Access: Provides access to a broad network of carriers and terminals.- Freight Classification System (NMFC): Utilizes a standardized system based on density, stowability, handling, and liability to determine rates.- Accessorial Services: Options for additional services like liftgate service, inside delivery, or limited access pickup.- Tracking: Real-time tracking capabilities for shipments.
Key Properties
- Shipment Weight: Typically for shipments weighing 150 lbs or more, up to around 15,000 lbs or 10 pallets.- Shared Trailer Space: Multiple shippers' goods are consolidated into one truck.- Palletized: Most LTL freight is shipped on pallets for efficiency and damage reduction.- Bill of Lading (BOL): Requires a Bill of Lading, a crucial shipping document.- Freight Class: Determined by density, stowability, handling, and liability, impacting the shipping rate.- Multiple Stops: LTL shipments typically involve multiple stops for pickups and deliveries, and may be transferred between terminals.
Surface Compatibility
- Road (primary mode of transport)- Rail (intermodal transportation for longer distances)- Air (for some expedited LTL freight)
Known backups / known substitutes
- Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping: For larger shipments that fill an entire truck, offering faster transit and less handling.- Parcel Shipping: For small packages, typically under 150 lbs.- Expedited Shipping: For urgent deliveries, potentially using dedicated vehicles or air freight.- Hot Shot Services: For time-sensitive, smaller dedicated loads.
Comparison Note
LTL freight shipping offers a balance between the cost-effectiveness of parcel shipping for small items and the capacity of full truckload shipping for large volumes. It is ideal for businesses with recurring, mid-sized shipments that prioritize cost savings and flexibility over direct, expedited transit times.
