As the name suggests, less-than-truckload (LTL) refers to shipments that are not large enough to meet the full truckload requirements. It may sound surprising, but most truck shipments involve less than truckload freight.
Characteristics of Less than Truckload Shipping
Less than truckload shipping has certain characteristics that differentiate it from FTL or full truckload shipping. Here are the most important aspects that you should be aware of:
- The cost of LTL is its main benefit. You pay only for a fraction of the total cost that you would normally pay if you were to hire a truck exclusively for one shipment.
- When you send goods via LTL, you should know that your shipment may be handled more than a few times before it reaches the final destination. It may be moved from truck to truck or manipulated in the same truck.
- LTL freight entails longer transit times. In case of FTL, the transit times are primarily associated to the distance between shipper and the person to whom the shipment is to be delivered, the consignee. For LTL, there are several destinations involved along the way and, thus, transit times are longer.
- LTL carrier operators usually offer certain added features. You can opt for lift gate service, inside delivery, notification prior to delivery, and many more services.
Palletizing and Labeling LTL Shipments
Proper palletizing is crucial for LTL shipments. Pallets will be moved around in the same truck, checked for weight, or moved from one carrier to another. That means that LTL freight needs to be placed into crates or onto pallets for easier handling and better stability and protection.
It also means that you should have your package protected against many other factors such as dropping, crushing, vibration, scratching, or humidity. There are special packaging solutions that can provide you with a higher level of protection such as corrugated fiberboard boxes.
Palletizing and labeling is not only important to protect your freight from transit damage but it is also very important to have well packed and labeled freight so that it is easy to locate in case it is separated from the rest or gets lost in transit. Palletizing minimizes package pilferage.
Labeling is essential for LTL shipments. Labeling should be as complete and clear as possible containing all the required codes and data so that the package is easy to identify and gets loaded on the right carrier and onto the right route.
To learn more about less than truckload shipping from Navis, contact Navis in Toronto, Canada today for a free quote. We'd be happy to help answer any of your questions and help you ship!
