4 Things to Know about Less Than Truckload Shipping
September 20, 2017
Shipping with Performance Plus Global Logistics Avoids Higher Charges
September 22, 2017What Factors Decide an LTL Freight Rate?
Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight is freight that doesn’t require its own container in order to be shipped. This freight can come in all shapes and sizes, and might be a single object or multiple. The LTL freight that we ship, in most cases, consists of 6 pallets or less and 12’ of truck space or less. Some carriers have additional restrictions.
If LTL freight shipment is by volume, there may be a price break for shipping in weight.
Beyond this, what factors contribute to an LTL freight rate?
Weight.
This is easily understood as the rate of the object. Rates are typically given a rate within weight groups.
Density.
This is more complex. Density matters for the bill of lading. This is the weight of the shipment divided by its measurement in cubic feet.
Classification.
The National Motor Traffic Association defines classes. There are 18 freight classes, ranging between 50 and 500. We determine a class by the shipment’s density, value, stow-ability, handling, and liability. A lower class means the freight is heavy but doesn’t take up much space. It may also be durable with easy handling. A higher class means a lighter freight that takes up more space. It may be more fragile and handling will require special accommodations. A higher class equals a higher rate.
Distance.
A shipment that needs to go around the world will have a higher price for its weight as a rate than a shipment that’s only going to the next state over.
These are the basic factors. The key is to boil this all down to simple, easy to understand language that you can easily negotiate. LTL carriers like Performance Plus Global Logistics that serve the entire world can help you ship with a straightforward understanding of the rates and factors at play.
We know if we can make the freight rate process easy for you to master, you’ll ship with us again. That means we’re happy to break it down for you and be transparent about our rates and the costs. Also, by having a global transport reach, we can save a great deal for many of our customers.