Four Of The Most Common Answers In LTL Shipping

In shipping there are many more questions than answers.  Freight carriers involved in less than truckload shipping are a unique entity in the shipping equation.  Below you will find the answers to the top five questions asked about LTL shipping.

What is less than truckload (LTL) shipping exactly?

When shipping a load that consists of freight that takes up less than a full truckload it will be less expensive for freight to be sent LTL.  In shipping there are there are three main shipping modes, less than truckload, parcel carriers and full truckload carriers.  Parcel carriers usually handle smaller packages and freight that is broken down into units that are less than one hundred fifty pounds.  Full truckload carriers move freight that consists of a load fitting into a semi-trailer.  Semi-trailers are between twenty six and fifty three feet.  They require a large amount of freight to make it cost effective for shippers to choose this option in freight shipping.

How exactly do LTL shippers operate?

An LTL shipper usually carries a load of freight between one hundred and fifty one pounds and twenty thousand pounds.  Most LTL carriers work through a hub and spoke system.  This allows smaller shipments to be sent through a variety of channels and paired with other shipments headed to the same place to create a full truckload.  This keeps the costs down and allows for many smaller shipments to get where they need to be without the expense of a full truckload shipment. Many small picks ups can occur, creating smaller shipments, centered in one local hub shipped out through a variety of spokes to other LTL carriers at a lower cost to shippers.

What is the advantage of using a carrier that ships LTL?

The major advantage of using an LTL carrier is that you can decrease the costs associated with transportation on your freight shipments.  Also, additional services are offered through LTL carriers such as lift gate services at pickup and delivery, residential services, indoor deliveries, notification of pickups and deliveries, freeze protection and more.  If you need a more hands on approach to your shipment it is ideal for you to look at LTL carriers for transporting your goods.

What is the main difference between the operations of LTL shippers and parcel carriers?

Parcel carriers usually ship pieces that weigh less than one hundred and fifty pounds.  LTL carriers and parcel carriers still compete for shippers as larger shipments can be broke down into smaller packages.  An LTL carrier prefers to ship loads that don’t need a great deal of handling.  An LTL carrier prefers to ship pallets.  LTL shipper ship one pallet which may contain many boxes wrapped together to form one shipment where as a parcel carrier will break it down into smaller loads.   The typical per pound rate of LTL carriers is less than the per pound rate of parcel carriers overall.

Jefferson Diversified Group, LLC is a Global Logistics expert offering LTL shipping and more. Check out available rates today at http://www.detroitltl.com.

Freight Shipping Methods Used In Less Than Truckload Shipping

It is important that you choose a freight company that meets your needs when you are shipping larger items. Less than truckload shipping is a popular option within the freight industry. There are several methods used to ship freight. The one that you choose will depend on a few things such as what you are shipping, when it needs to arrive, if it’s perishable or fragile. Below you will find each method used within the industry. When you are choosing a freight carrier you can choose one or more methods of getting your LTL shipment where it needs to be when it needs to be there.

Options for Shipping Freight

Shipping By Road: Trucks are used for large items that can fit into a transport vehicle. This method is most often used when travel from one location to another is convenient. It is however, one of the slowest methods in shipping so time should not be a factor when shipping by road.

Shipping By Rail: When you have a large cargo shipment that does not fit into a transport vehicle railway is the way to go. Rail is a quick method of shipping large cargo items. When there is a time crunch rail is one of the best shipping methods. Rail is most often used for shipping vehicles, manufacturing goods, equipment and farm supplies.

Shipping By Sea: Shipping by sea is one of the most cost effective ways to send large shipments. It is also one of the slowest; it takes a lot longer to ship an item via sea over other options in shipping. Larger vehicles, industrial vehicles, heavy machinery, manufacturing vehicles and more are shipped by sea.

Shipping By Air: Using an airplane to ship is another option. This method is used to get goods to remote locations, when there are no time constraints, there are no roads or routes to the location or your shipment needs to go to another country.

Consider the type of shipment you are sending as well. If you are shipping perishable items or hazardous items you will want to be sure the carrier you select is equipped to handle it. Some companies will not ship these items that need to be handled with special care.

You will also want to look into the companies shipping track record when choosing a shipper. Make sure they are reliable, honest and have a solid customer service record. Also check to the carrier’s damage history. Carriers that offer 24/7 support is preferred over those that are only offer support during normal business hours.

The shipping rates and transportation methods carriers’ use are important as well. LTL freight shipping can be complex but when you take your time to understand the process and research freight carriers you will come out on top.

Jefferson Diversified Group, LLC is a Global Logistics expert offering LTL shipping and more. Check out available rates today at http://www.detroitltl.com.

4 LTL Shipping Tips To Improve Freight Carrier Relationships

Following the rules of less than truckload freight shipping is the most important thing you can do to make sure you maintain a positive relationship between shipper and carrier.  The tips below will help to ensure you continue to improve your relationship with your LTL carriers while helping yourself reduce costs and improve the shipping efficiency of your company.

Don’t Falsify Freight Weight: When it comes to creating a relationship with an LTL carrier one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to falsify the weight of your shipments.  It is important to accurately report all of the cargo’s correct weight.  This information is critical to less than truck load freight carriers as incorrect reporting of weight increases the expenses on their end.  Note that LTL shippers re-weigh eighty percent of their freight as this is the key element to keeping down their expenses and improving their efficiency.

Accurate Bill of Lading:  Decrease the errors in your transportation mananagment system by automating the intergration of your address and commodities books.  Accurate bill of ladings are important for carriers.  LTL carriers are becoming increasing aware of inaccuracies and are working to prevent them.  You can imporve your reputation with your frieght carrier by providign an accurate bill of lading each and everytime you ship a less than truckload shipment.

Lessen or Avoid Accessorial Charges:  Accessorial charges are the fees charged for extras such as residential services, lift gates, set appointment deliveries and more.  In parcel shipping there is a great deal of accessorial charges whereas in LTL shipping there are around fifteen.  When the load capacity is tight many shippers will choose the shipments with less accessorial charges as these are the things that slow the pickup and delivery of shipments.

Properly Packing Your LTL Shipments:  It is important that your shipments are packaged correctly to travel via the mode of transportation chosen by you and the LTL carrier.  If a shipment is not packaged correctly the shipper will have to repack it to prevent damage.  This takes away from the carrier’s efficiency.  If a shipment is packed improperly it can drop off the forklifts when being transferred damaging the contents thus creating more work for both you and the carrier.  This can all be avoided with proper packaging.

By abiding by these simple tips when shipping freight with a LTL carrier you can greatly improve the relationship between you and the carrier.  Following these basic tips will allow you both to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Jefferson Diversified Group, LLC is a Global Logistics expert offering LTL shipping and more. Check out available rates today at http://www.detroitltl.com.