LTL Shipping & Logistics
What is LTL shipping?
Less-than-truckload shipping (LTL) involves multiple consignments sharing space within a single truck. It is most suitable for shipments that don't require a full truckload and have a maximum weight of 2,500kg.
By consolidating various smaller shipments, LTL shipping can be more cost-effective for businesses with smaller freight volumes. LTL freight is the best choice for shippers in the following situations:
- Transporting freight that doesn’t need to arrive by a specific date
- Transporting freight to multiple delivery locations
- Transporting small to medium-sized shipments that don’t fill an entire truck
LTL trucking is the preferred choice of many industries, such as e-commerce, automotive, and electronics (particularly if these shipments are moving locally or regionally). However, it can be used by any company that wants to pay only for the space their shipment occupies.
Advantages of LTL Shipping
Sharing space with other shippers can make LTL shipping great for companies transporting palletised cargo that doesn’t take up an entire trailer. It can accommodate goods of varying sizes and weights, all for a potentially reduced rate.
Lower costs
Less than truckload shipping means you pay only for the portion of the truck occupied by their freight. For example, a Manchester-based furniture retailer that needs to deliver products to different UK locations doesn’t have to bear the cost of a full truck. It’s a cost-sharing model that divides expenses among multiple shippers.
Smaller shipments
Not every business needs to ship large quantities of goods at once. LTL shipping can be much more useful for companies that handle modest inventories or operate on a just-in-time basis. Take, for example, a boutique skincare brand in London shipping products to independent retailers across the UK. These shipments might include a few pallets of stock rather than dozens.
Multiple destinations
LTL freight quotes are often less expensive because the truck has to make several stops to multiple destinations. Again, this can be great for UK-based distributors shipping goods to customers in Birmingham, Glasgow, or Cardiff. Instead of booking separate shipments for each location, LTL freight consolidates these deliveries into one truckload.
Disadvantages of LTL shipping
While it’s true that less than truckload shipping is more adaptable than FTL, it could have drawbacks for time-specific or sensitive deliveries.
The nature of LTL trucking involves multiple stops for loading and unloading along the delivery route. Each stop can introduce delays, which makes it less suitable for businesses with strict delivery deadlines.
Speed
The nature of LTL trucking involves multiple stops for loading and unloading along the delivery route. Each stop can introduce delays, which makes it less suitable for businesses with strict delivery deadlines.
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How to use LTL shipping
Knowing how best to maximise less than truckload shipping should involve assessing your company’s specific delivery requirements and collaborating with an experienced freight forwarder.
1. Is this the appropriate scenario for LTL shipping?
LTL transport is designed for consignments that don't require a full truck's capacity, typically no more than 2,500kg (or less than 10 pallets). Before settling on a shipping method, businesses should weigh up the pros and cons. Would sharing truck space with other shippers help small to medium-sized enterprises save money on logistics expenses?
Can your company handle the longer delivery times associated with LTL? Or are you shipping time-sensitive, fragile, or special-handling goods? In these cases, FTL may be more appropriate.
2. Are you working with a reliable freight forwarder?
A freight forwarder with proven industry experience will make the shipping process much easier. It’s their job to handle regulatory challenges and guarantee your cargo reaches its final destination as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to ship a less-than-full truckload?
There is no set price for shipping goods via LTL road travel. Each consignment will differ based on its size, weight and current demand. For this reason, shippers should aim to keep costs low across the whole logistics process: that’s where we come in.
Freight Broker’s easy-to-use cost-comparison tool will help you compare LTL freight quotes from over 20 international shipping companies, such as UPX, Palletways, and Parcel Force. We can help you find the best deals instantly!
Freight Broker’s easy-to-use cost-comparison tool will help you compare LTL freight quotes from over 20 international shipping companies, such as UPX, Palletways, and Parcel Force. We can help you find the best deals instantly!
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