Posts Tagged ‘less than truck load’
A Quick Guide to Freight Shipping
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007
If you need to ship freight using a LTL , or Less-than-Truckload service, there are some facts you should know before getting started. Pricing, packaging, and shipping methods are a bit different with freight shipping. This helpful freight guide will explain these differences.
Freight Shipping Prices
Freight shipping prices are often determined using a method called "Freight Class" or classification of shipments. There are four freight classifications: density, stow ability, ease of handling, and liability. Density is determined by the object’s weight as compared to the space it occupies. This is calculated in pounds per cubic feet. Stow ability is how the object will fit into the trailer along with other packages. Its size, weight, and shape are considered to help determine stow ability.
Ease of handling means how much special care (if any) the package will require. Liability is measured by value per pound, the item�s liability to damage, the package’s tendency to damage other freight items (through spills, explosions, etc.), or if the item is perishable. Freight companies will look at all four factors before determining a price.
Packaging for Freight Shipments
Freight is usually shipped on pallets with reinforcing shrink wrap. The shrink wrap must overlap and be layered to tightly secure the package. The box or item to be shipped must be well-secured to the pallet before wrapping. Avoid stacking multiple items on top of one another and never allow the freight to overlap the pallet. Also, place cardboard between the object and the pallet to reduce risk of damage. Freight shipping puts lots of strain on items, so adequate packaging should always be a top priority. Packing efficiently can also save you money on shipping.
Freight Shipping and Labeling
For multiple pieces of freight, provide a Bill of Lading with an accurate number of pieces and a detailed description of the products. This is especially important for companies to help prevent shortages. Labels should be placed on the packages and pallets, and all labels should match the Bill of Lading to ensure proper delivery. For special labeling to describe the package or to give special instructions, use brightly colored labels.
Freight Shipping to Other Countries
Freight shipping internationally requires certain documentation depending on the country. There are special Bill of Ladings, commercial invoices, a Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED), the NAFTA Certificate of Origin, and other documents to consider.
Save Money on Freight Shipping
When shipping freight, it’s wise to do your homework beforehand. Compare freight services, their requirements, and their pricing. You might also save big by using a freight broker instead of dealing directly with a trucking company. Freight brokers often receive huge discounts because they are dealing with trucking companies from a "wholesale" perspective. You can enjoy some of these savings as well if you plan to ship freight often.
Use this guide and check with freight companies to enjoy savings on all your freight shipping needs.
Tags: Freight, International shipping, less than truck load, saving money, shipping methods
Posted in News & Articles | No Comments »
Shipping Solutions For Your Business: LTL Shipping
Friday, November 16th, 2007
A huge part of any small business that sells products today is the shipping process. Not only is selecting the right shipper important so that your customers receive quality, undamaged goods within a very reasonable time, but shippers may also make a huge difference in your bottom line; you want to be sure that your products are shipped to and from you in the most economical form possible.
One alternative to regular shipping measures that can mean a big difference in the bottom line of a small business is LTL shipping.
In this article we will take a look at exactly what LTL shipping is, and the pros and cons of using LTL shipping over parcel carriers.
What LTL Shipping Is
LTL is an acronym which stands for Less than Truck Load. Think about one of the big semi-trailers you see cruising along the freeway; the goods in that trailer constitute a full truckload. As you can imagine, it gets pretty expensive to send all those goods along their way, particularly with the rising costs of fuel.
LTL shipping means that freight from 100 pounds to 10,000 pounds can be shipped without paying the same costs as a full truckload (without LTL, small businesses would have to pay the same cost as full truckloads, but with less inventory to balance it out).
Freight is consolidated onto the truck until the truck reaches capacity, and then shipped. So, LTL shipping means that the goods of several businesses are combined for shipping.
LTL vs. Parcel Carriers
Parcel carriers are another way option when it comes to shipping goods that are not economical to ship on a trailer. Parcel shipping is more limited per unit than LTL, because parcel carriers will not ship more than 150 pounds in one trip.
This means that when it comes to large shipments, parcel carriers can create a lot of extra work in the form of tracking (you’ll have to keep track of each package), record keeping, and of course loading and unloading. With LTL shipping, you are able to ship larger quantities - and that means a lot less paperwork.
Also, when the final costs are broken down, LTL shipping will cost less per unit than parcel carriers. The "strength in numbers" factor also applies to the safety of goods in transport; one unit shipped via parcel carrier is more likely to be damaged than 100 units palleted together on an LTL shipment.
Of course, even LTL prices might not be practical for some small businesses. The outlay of money for the shipping will still be quite high, and you may have to wait for a truck to become full before shipping. In cases where a business sends or receives high end, expensive products that are relatively light on a semi-frequent basis, parcel carriers will remain the most economical form of shipping.
Tags: Finance, Finance and Accounting, Leeia Ladipoh, less than truck load, LTL shipping, shipping, shipping alternatives, small business, Starting a Business
Posted in News & Articles | No Comments »