Less than truckload (LTL) freight refers to the transportation of products or goods that do not require a full truckload. These smaller freight loads typically result in many separate shipments being transported on one truck. LTL shipments are usually arranged on pallets and range anywhere from 150 pounds to 10,000 pounds.

LTL carriers specialize in optimizing their loads to move more goods for more shippers in an efficient manner. Shippers like LTL shipping because it affords them flexibility, cost effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, LTL trucking can be rather complex.

How does LTL freight work?

Essentially, LTL freight shipments combine partial loads to create full multi-stop truckloads, which is very efficient. Shipping costs are based on space used, the class of items being shipped, and pickup and destination locations.

LTL freight can be shipped standard, expedited, or guaranteed. LTL freight can also be shipped with special services added. Some of these services include lift gate pickup/delivery, inside pickup/delivery, residential pickup/delivery, and reweighing/reclassification. These services require additional fees called accessorial fees.

Benefits of LTL freight
Cost savings

LTL freight consists of several smaller shipments that fill an entire truckload. Because your shipment only uses a portion of the truck’s available space, you only pay for the space you use. This ensures your cost will be a fraction of what a normal full truckload shipment would cost.

Perfect for ecommerce

In a world where ecommerce has become the norm, businesses need to ensure their shipping methods line up with the needs of their customers. LTL shipping improves efficiency and delivery speeds by bypassing the need for each shipment to fill a full truckload. Using LTL shipping ensures your freight or inventory ends up exactly where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.

Small business friendly

Small companies greatly benefit from LTL trucking and shipping. Most small businesses ship fewer goods and spend less money on freight than large companies. LTL shipping allows small businesses to benefit from the services professional shipping provides without having to pay high costs for unused space.