Know What LTL (Less Than Truckload) Means Before You Start Shipping Motor Freight

LTL stands for Less Than Load - this means that thethere are a few very important things that you
cargo that is being shipped does not require an entirewould have to remember in order to ensure a
truckload by itself. Generally, an LTL shipment rangessmooth delivery :-
between 100lbs and 20,000lbs. Less than truckload
freight carriers usually would collect the shipments1. Packing your shipment - for a trouble free shipping,
from various shippers and consolidate them ontoplease be sure to find out from the LTL freight
enclosed trailers or trucks to the delivering terminal orcarrier if there is a special packaging methods for the
to a hub terminal where the freight would then begoods that you intend to send. By having a secured
sorted out and consolidated for additional linehauls.packaging for your shipment, your goods are
Most of the time, the drivers of LTL freight carriersprotected and you can be assured of a trouble free
would make deliveries first before they begin toshipping.
make pickups after the trailers or trucks have been2. Labeling - it is important that you label your
emptied. This is the reason why deliveries are madepackages clearly and place your labels on areas that
in the mornings while pickups are done in theare visible to the people handling your shipment. Many
afternoons.people tend to take it lightly when it comes to
In different states, the rules and regulations oflabeling their packages and this in turn causes
shipping can sometimes seem overwhelming, hence, itunnecessary confusion for the person delivering the
is important that you understand the basics of LTLpackages, especially when the addresses or the
freight shipping. For example, when you want to sendsequence of the packages are not written properly.
out an LTL freight shipment, you have to know how3. Bill of Lading - the information provided on the Bill
your product is defined by the trucking industry, howof Lading must correspond with the item that is
you must pack your shipment, the preparation of thebeing shipped, where it is coming from and to whom
shipping documentation and so forth. You will alsoit is going to and etc. Even a little mistake on the Bill
have to check out the various LTL freight carriersof Lading can cause a great delay in delivery, so be
available and find out the options that are availablesure that the information that you provide on the Bill
for you to get your shipment picked up from yourof Lading is accurate.
place and delivered to the desired destination as4. Choosing the right LTL freight carrier for your
quickly and as reliably as possible.business operation is an important task, so be sure
Before you send out your LTL freight shipment,to choose one that would meet your needs.