What is LTL Shipping?

For most applications, shipping an item point-to-point doesn't require an entire truckload, container, or railcar so moving your cargo this way is really unsatisfactory and not at all cost efficient. The meaningful alternative is to have your package consolidated with other moves for shipment to a common final destination.

In looking at this topic we need to get some definitions squared away. For instance the terms LTL and LCL are similar, meaning Less Than Truckload (LTL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) very similar terms with subtle differences.

Truck loads are restricted to movement over the road pulled by a tractor truck. It takes special handling to move a truckload via any other form of transport. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Containers are designed for intermodal transport on trains, truck chassis and containerships designed for this multimode purpose.

LTL or LCL cargo typically consists of shipments from individual customers that cannot fill a standard Trailer or Container, so they are combined with other shipments to fill and efficiently utilize available space for transport. Specialist LTL carriers will perform residential pickup and deliveries depending on how you want your service tailored. The typical LTL load is crated or palletized and ranges roughly from 150 to 10,000 pounds. As a rule, cargo greater than 10,000 pounds will move as a full truckload (FTL).

LTL cargo is 'cubed' for pricing. Cubed is short for cubic meter. Pricing is based on weight and cube so always have the length, width and height of your shipment available as you discuss your shipment with the customer service clerk.

LTL shipping came into its own after the trucking industry was deregulated in the 1980's. As a general rule, in any given trailer LTL shipments consists of many customers making the transportation cost effective for the individual customer and cost efficient and profitable for the carrier, a win-win logistics combination. LTL carriers typically have strategically located terminals in order to efficiently consolidate and properly segregate cargo for movement to common destinations. The designation, FAK, meaning Freight All Kinds, is synonymous with less than truckload shipping.

One consideration to always keep in mind when shipping any sort of cargo is to assure that the cargo is secured and packaged in such a way to survive what is called the 'rigors of transport'. What exactly does that mean, rigors of transport? Once you package your important cargo for shipment, you must keep in mind that it will move over our imperfect world and be handled by operators in cargo handling machines such as forklifts, top loaders, cranes being picked up and moved smoothly or harshly depending on the operator. Containers stacked on chassis or on other containers traveling over the bumpy roads, clickety rails, and ever changing sea conditions have the tendency to shift at times. As an example, use strong cardboard boxes designed for shipping. Keeping these realities in mind will allow you to make the proper packaging and securing decisions before handing your precious cargo over to the carrier. Happy shipping!