Less-than-truckload (LTL) transport, is ideal for smaller and more frequent shipments. If your load isn’t large enough to fill a 48 to the 53-foot trailer, an LTL freight service is a more economical option. You also get the benefits of decreasing costs and increasing scheduling flexibility. LTL service loads range between 151 and 20,000 pounds and consist of multiple shipments from multiple customers. Anything over 20,000 pounds requires full truckload shipping to better take advantage of economies of scale.
East Coast Transport provides an efficient LTL freight service that moves your shipment quickly to the destination and maximizes your business productivity. With our LTL freight service, you save time and money.
Advantages of LTL Freight Services
- LTL Shipping Decreases Expenses: The sweet spot used to save money by shipping LTL is when the shipment weighs more than 150 lbs and does not require a full truckload. When several shippers share the truck, each shipper saves money because they only pay for the space used and the weight of their goods.
- LTL Shipping Is More Environmentally Friendly: For companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint, LTL allows for more trucks to be fully loaded, thus reducing the overall carbon footprint through efficiency.
- It Offers More Options and Is Ideal for Regular Shipments: LTL often is best when you need special handling of your freight, such as delivery notifications, inside pick-up, the use of a lift gate for heavy or bulky items, are delivering to locations with limited access, expedited shipping for emergencies, and/or freeze protection.
- LTL Shipping Tracking Helps in Delay Notification: Often, LTL service providers use tracking to keep track of pickup, drop-offs, and shipment in real-time. Shipments are typically recorded by the PO number, PRO number, and reference number of the delivery so that delays can be instantly reported.
Why Choose East Coast Transport for Your LTL Freight Service
LTL carriers need extensive knowledge of federal regulations for shipping a variety of goods from dry goods to food and beverage and even hazardous materials. East Coast Transport has relationships with several carriers specializing in transporting perishable items, liquids, metals, etc. We help ensure that documents, such as your bill of lading, are properly filled out. We also make sure that our clients can easily locate a dedicated LTL trucking partner to reduce the time spent on managing shipping and receiving. With our LTL freight service, we ensure you that your shipment is safe and will be delivered to the correct address without any delays. Our experienced team understands your business objectives and delivers shipments on time to reduce your number of return issues.
What Factors determine LTL Freight Service Rates?
The rate you pay to ship packages usually depends on the freight company you choose along with a few other factors including:
- Weight or Hundredweight also referred to as CWT
- Tariff or Rate Base or Weight Rate (determined by the class of commodity)
- Density
- Risk to the Freight
- Distance (origin and destination zip codes)
- Additional Services Required
- Fuel Surcharge
- Skid Sizes
How Are LTL Freight Service Rates Calculated?
When calculating LTL freight rates, the first step is to determine which weight rate to use based on a shipment’s weight. As your shipment weight increases, it moves into the new weight category which has a lower rate per CWT or per hundred pounds. Once you determine your weight rate, divide the total weight by 100 to get your CWT. Finally, take this number and multiply it by the applicable weight rate.
For example: (4200 lbs / 100) x 10.38 (2000 lbs rate) = $435.96
Some companies also have the option for pallet rates, which simplifies pricing. This method is based on the number of skid spots used within a trailer and, like CWT rates, the more pallets shipped, the cheaper it is.
How Does LTL Freight Service Work?
Preparing your LTL freight for shipping is important because, unlike FTL, carriers are not required to wait for the shipment to be prepared for loading, so delays may cause extra fees. You can avoid extra costs by following these steps to prepare your LTL freight for shipping:
- Measure – Record the length, width, and height of your LTL freight, and round up. Simply put, your freight needs to fit in the truck, and exceeding the amount you represented to the carrier when you ordered can cause delays and extra charges.
- Document – Prior to the arrival of the carrier, fill out the bill of lading (BOL), which instructs the carrier and all parties about where the LTL freight came from, where it’s going, and what it is.
- Package – Put your LTL freight onto pallets or into cartons as appropriate. Place the heavier goods on the bottom to facilitate quick loading. Better packaging prevents costly delays and damage to your LTL freight.
- Label – Attach a copy of the BOL to your LTL freight as well as any instructions (i.e. “Fragile”, “This side up”) which will prevent damage to your goods as they are handled by drivers and other workers.
What other Services are Available with LTL Freight Service?
At East Coast Transport, we understand that all LTL freight and customers are not the same. Sometimes your LTL freight requires special consideration. Your location or destination may limit some LTL carriers. Your freight may require an extra measure of care that is not standard, or you need speedier delivery. East Coast Transport offers services such as expedited shipments for more urgent deliveries, and limited access, liftgate, or inside pickup and delivery when your location doesn’t have a loading dock or forklift, or your goods are too heavy to be lifted manually.
When is LTL Shipping The Right Fit For You?
LTL freight stands for “less-than-truckload” and refers to the highly economical practice of combining multiple suppliers’ shipments in a single truckload. Waiting to fill a truck before you ship goods can cost you customers, and paying for a half-empty trailer doesn’t make sense – or dollars and cents. Pooling your shipments with those of other suppliers, or LTL freight is the perfect solution.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL Freight Service?
LTL freight is cost-effective for smaller, more frequent shipments weighing between 151 and 20,000 pounds. However, if your freight weighs over 20,000 pounds and is enough to fill a 48-to 53-foot trailer, FTL is a better solution. Another situation when you might choose FTL over LTL freight is for refrigerated items because FTL is never opened until it reaches its destination and so better preserves the quality of the goods.
How Many Pallets Are Considered LTL?
LTL shipments are typically between one and six pallets. Pallet size and weight can vary by company, but the standard pallet dimensions are 48” x 40” and, generally, the weight should not exceed 2,500 kilograms.
Is LTL Cheaper than UPS?
Package size tends to be limited to around 70-150 pounds or 108 inches with carriers such as UPS. It is common for LTL shipments to be the economical solution and more ideal for regular shipments than UPS if many packages are going to the same destination.
Schedule your LTL Shipment with our professional LTL Freight Service
LTL shipments are much more cost-effective than FTL shipments. Our LTL freight service provides a variety of outstanding solutions for every type of business. Our priority is to make sure shipments are accurate and your budget needs are met. If you’re interested in working with East coast Transport as your LTL freight service provider, please contact us or call at 800-257-7877.