subject: Common Carriers And Ftl Shipping [print this page] Business to business shipments inside the United States use Full Truckload (FTL) and Less than Truckload shipping (LTL), with LTL shipments being in the majority. At the same time, LTL shipments only represent about ten percent of the annual cost of shipping. Common carriers are often used to handle LTL shipments, which can be divided into two main categories. These are standard shipments and volume shipments. There are advantages to LTL shipping as well as freight concerns.
LTL Standard Shipments
Standard shipments generally range from about 150 to about 7000 pounds, with the average shipment size being about 1,200 pounds. The limit on standard LTL shipments is about six pallets, which measure 48X40X40. If the freight can be crated or palletized in such a way to make it stackable, it often receives a better rate. These shipments usually travel with shipments from other customers on the same truck.
LTL Volume Shipments
Shipments that weight more than the 7000 pounds but less than the 20,000 pounds that would require Full Truckload shipping may qualify for a volume pricing structure. These generally fill a minimum of seven of the standard pallets. This may differ from one carrier to the next and is based on not only the size of the shipment, but also the cubic capacity and density of the shipment. Both standard and volume shipments may be transferred from one truck to another enroute to the final destination.
LTL Advantages
Using Less than Truckload shipping has a number of advantages for shippers who are not shipping FTL loads. Many LTL carriers are available to handle loads for customers, so finding a carrier should not be hard. Many of these carriers also have a set pricing structure that is easy to figure so that you are not wondering how much it will cost every time you have a shipment. Most carriers also offer electronic processing and tracking.
Freight Concerns
One of the main concerns with LTL shipping may be the repeated handling that a shipment can receive. If a shipment must go from terminal to terminal before it finally reaches its destination, there is a greater margin for error both in the possibility of damaged goods and increased transit times. Transit times are only guaranteed if specified in the special instructions and the cost is usually higher. Know the route your shipment will take and when it will switch trucks as well as the carrier's policy for damage or loss.
