What Is Freight Shipping?
Freight shipping is how businesses move large quantities of goods from point A to point B. If your shipment is too big for a FedEx or UPS box but you are not filling an entire semi-truck, you are probably looking at freight shipping. It is a different world from parcel shipping, with its own terminology, pricing structure, and rules. Understanding the basics saves you money and prevents the kind of mistakes that turn a simple shipment into an expensive headache.
LTL vs FTL vs Parcel: Which One Do You Need?
Parcel Shipping
If your shipment fits in a box and weighs under 150 pounds, you are in parcel territory. FedEx, UPS, USPS. Simple pricing, easy tracking, delivered to your door. Most businesses start here.
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
LTL is for shipments that are too big for parcel but too small to fill a whole truck. Think pallets of product, large equipment, or bulk inventory orders. Your freight shares trailer space with other shippers, which keeps costs down. The tradeoff is slightly longer transit times since the truck makes multiple stops. Most LTL shipments weigh between 150 and 15,000 pounds.
FTL (Full Truckload)
If you have enough cargo to fill most or all of a 53-foot trailer (roughly 10 or more pallets, or over 15,000 pounds), FTL is the way to go. You get the whole truck to yourself, which means faster delivery and less handling. Per-pound costs are lower than LTL, but you are paying for the entire trailer whether it is full or not. The breakeven point where FTL becomes cheaper than LTL varies, but it is usually around 8 to 10 pallets.
NMFC Codes and Freight Class
This is where freight shipping gets confusing for newcomers, but it is worth understanding because it directly affects your price.
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns codes to different types of cargo. Each code maps to a freight class between 50 and 500. The class is determined by four factors: density (weight per cubic foot), handling requirements, stowability, and liability risk.
Lower class numbers mean denser, easier-to-handle freight, which costs less to ship. Class 50 is something like bricks - heavy, compact, easy to stack. Class 500 is something like ping pong balls - light, bulky, takes up a lot of space relative to weight.
Here is a rough guide to common freight classes:
- Class 50-85: Dense, heavy items - machinery, hardware, metal parts
- Class 92.5-125: Medium density - furniture, boxed goods, electronics
- Class 150-200: Lighter items - auto parts, clothing, household goods
- Class 250-500: Very light or bulky - mattresses, Styrofoam, live plants
Getting the freight class wrong is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes in shipping. If you classify your freight incorrectly, the carrier will re-weigh and re-class it, and you will get hit with a reclassification fee plus the higher rate. Always weigh and measure your shipment accurately before booking.
How to Get Freight Quotes
To get an accurate freight quote, you need the following information ready:
- Origin and destination zip codes - city-level works for estimates, but zip codes give you accurate pricing
- Total weight - weigh it, do not guess
- Dimensions - length, width, and height of each pallet or piece
- Freight class or NMFC code - if you do not know, describe the commodity and the carrier can help
- Number of pallets or pieces
- Pickup and delivery requirements - do you need a liftgate? Inside delivery? Is it a residential address?
Get quotes from at least three carriers or use a freight broker who can shop rates for you. Prices can vary dramatically between carriers for the same shipment. A broker does the comparison shopping for you and often has negotiated rates that are lower than what you would get going direct.
Standard Pallet Dimensions
The standard pallet in the US is 48 inches by 40 inches. A standard 53-foot dry van trailer fits 26 standard pallets (double-stacked if height allows). Knowing this helps you estimate whether you need LTL or FTL and helps carriers quote accurately.
Keep your pallets under 48 inches tall (including the pallet itself) for standard LTL. Taller pallets cost more because they cannot be double-stacked and take up more trailer space. If your cargo is oddly shaped or oversized, mention it upfront - surprise dimensions at pickup lead to requotes and delays.
Common Mistakes That Cost Money
1. Guessing the Weight
"About 500 pounds" is not good enough. Carriers will weigh your shipment, and if it is heavier than quoted, you pay more. Some carriers charge reweigh fees on top of the rate adjustment. Buy a floor scale if you ship regularly.
2. Wrong Freight Class
As mentioned above, incorrect classification leads to reclassification fees. When in doubt, ask the carrier or use the NMFTA ClassIT tool to look up the correct class for your commodity.
3. Poor Packaging
LTL freight gets handled multiple times - loaded at your dock, transferred at a terminal, loaded again, and delivered. If your freight is not properly palletized, wrapped, and secured, damage claims go through the roof. Shrink wrap everything to the pallet. Use corner protectors for fragile items. Label every piece with "this side up" if it matters.
4. Forgetting Accessorial Charges
Liftgate delivery, residential delivery, inside delivery, appointment scheduling - these all cost extra. If you need any of these services, include them in your quote request. Finding out at delivery that you need a liftgate and did not request one means paying a premium for an unplanned service.
5. Not Insuring High-Value Shipments
Standard carrier liability is usually capped at around $0.50 per pound. If your $10,000 shipment weighs 200 pounds, standard liability only covers $100. For valuable goods, purchase additional freight insurance through the carrier or a third party.
Getting Started
The freight shipping world has a learning curve, but the fundamentals are straightforward: know what you are shipping, know the weight and dimensions, pick the right service level, and work with experienced carriers or brokers who can guide you through the details. Start with a few LTL shipments to get comfortable with the process before scaling up to regular volume.
If you want personalized guidance on your specific shipping needs, our logistics team can walk you through the options and help you find the best rates for your situation.