Growing businesses need more shipping options. Parcel may work perfectly for everyday orders. But as your business grows, some shipments get bigger, heavier, or more complex. You may start sending multiple packages to the same customer, fulfilling larger B2B orders, or shipping products that simply aren’t a natural fit for a parcel network.

That’s where less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping comes in.

And now, LTL freight is built into ShipStation. You can compare rates, book freight, and track shipments alongside the parcel shipping you already manage through the platform.

With parcel and LTL in one system, you have more flexibility to match the shipping mode to the shipment. Use parcel when it fits, turn to LTL when freight makes more sense, and adapt as your shipping needs change.

More shipping options. More flexibility. And one place to manage it all.

What is LTL freight shipping and when should you use it?

LTL freight shipping is generally used for shipments that are too large or heavy for traditional parcel shipping but don’t require an entire truck. Your freight shares trailer space with shipments from other businesses and typically moves through a network of carrier terminals before reaching its destination.

LTL shipments are often palletized, allowing multiple boxes or larger products to move as a single handling unit. But there’s no universal size or weight at which a shipment should move from parcel to LTL. Dimensions, weight, packaging, destination, service requirements, and cost can all influence the decision.

Here’s a quick look at where LTL fits:

Shipping mode Often a good fit for How it typically moves
Parcel Smaller, lighter shipments that fit parcel carrier limits Individual packages moving through a parcel network
LTL freight Shipments that are a better fit for freight but don’t require a full trailer Freight sharing trailer space with other shipments
Full truckload Large shipments that require most or all of a trailer A truck dedicated primarily to one shipment

There’s overlap between these modes, so the best choice isn’t always obvious based on weight alone. LTL may be worth comparing when:

  • Your shipment is getting bigger or heavier. Large, heavy, or awkward products may become more difficult or costly to move through parcel networks.
  • You’re sending multiple packages to the same destination. Consolidating products onto a pallet may provide another way to move the order.
  • You’re shipping larger B2B orders. Orders moving by the case, pallet, or other larger quantities may be a natural fit for freight.
  • Parcel charges are adding up. Large packages, additional handling, and other shipment characteristics can affect parcel pricing, making LTL worth comparing.

The point isn’t to replace parcel shipping. It’s to have another option when a shipment isn’t a natural fit for parcel.

How to ship LTL freight with ShipStation

If you’re already familiar with ShipStation, adding LTL doesn’t mean learning an entirely separate shipping platform. LTL freight is built into ShipStation, so you can manage freight in the same platform you already use for parcel.

Start by entering the information needed to quote your freight, including its origin, destination, dimensions, weight, and service requirements. From there, you can compare available LTL carriers, rates, transit times, and delivery options, then select the service that fits your shipment and book your freight.

Once booked, ShipStation can automatically generate freight documents and keep your shipment information and tracking available as the freight moves from pickup through delivery.

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If you’re new to LTL or ShipStation, guided onboarding and support are available to help you get started. Sign up for a free trial to start exploring your freight options today.

Why ship LTL with ShipStation?

Adding LTL shouldn’t mean adding unnecessary complexity to your shipping operation.

ShipStation gives you a complete LTL freight shipping platform built for the way your business ships. It combines broad carrier access with the tools you need to ship freight efficiently.

Here’s a look at what ShipStation offers shippers:

With ShipStation LTL, you can: Why it matters
Access 50+ LTL freight carriers Compare a broad range of carrier and service options based on where your freight is going and what the shipment requires
Compare rates and services Evaluate available rates, transit times, and delivery options before you book instead of relying on a single freight option
Manage parcel and freight together Handle a wider mix of packages, pallets, and orders without maintaining separate shipping environments
Manage freight-specific details Work with freight class, density calculations, special handling instructions, and other information needed to quote and book LTL
Generate freight documents Automatically create BOLs, rate quotes, packing lists, pallet labels, and other available freight documents as part of the booking process
Track LTL shipments Follow freight from origin pickup through delivery without jumping across individual carrier portals
Use existing freight rates Connect an existing Worldwide Express or Unishippers account and apply your negotiated rates through ShipStation

Together, these capabilities make it easier to add LTL without building a disconnected freight process around it.

How parcel and LTL work together

  • The order: A business that typically ships individual products by parcel receives an order for 20 cases from a commercial customer.
  • The decision: Should those cases move as individual parcel packages, be consolidated into fewer packages, or be palletized and shipped via LTL?
  • The advantage: With parcel and LTL available through ShipStation, the business can compare its options instead of forcing the order into its usual shipping process. Parcel may still make the most sense. LTL may be the better fit. What matters is having both options when the shipment calls for them.

That’s the value of bringing parcel and LTL together. Your everyday shipping process doesn’t have to change just because your order mix does. As shipments get bigger, heavier, or more complex, you have another way to move them without adding a separate freight platform.

10 LTL shipping terms you need to know

If you’ve primarily shipped parcel, some LTL terminology may be new. These 10 terms can help you understand quotes, services, documents, and shipments.

LTL term What it means
Bill of Lading (BOL) A key freight document that contains shipment details and serves as the contract of carriage between the shipper and carrier.
Freight class A standardized classification used to help rate LTL freight. Under the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, freight classes range from 50 to 500.
Reclassification A change to the freight classification when the shipment’s actual characteristics don’t match the information used to classify it. A reclassification can affect the final freight charges.
Density The relationship between a shipment’s weight and the space it occupies, commonly expressed in pounds per cubic foot. Density can affect freight classification and pricing.
Consignee The person or business named on the Bill of Lading to receive the freight at its destination. Unlike a general “recipient,” the consignee is specifically identified in the shipment documentation and has a defined role in the freight transaction.
Accessorial A freight service beyond standard pickup and delivery that may result in an additional charge, such as liftgate, inside delivery, or residential service.
Liftgate service A service that uses equipment on the truck to raise or lower freight when a loading dock or appropriate material-handling equipment isn’t available.
PRO number A carrier-assigned identification number commonly used to identify and track an LTL shipment.
Freight exception A problem noted during transportation or delivery, such as damage, shortage, or another discrepancy.
Limited-access location A pickup or delivery location where access or operating conditions may require additional carrier time, coordination, or service compared with a typical commercial facility.

Accurate shipment information matters just as much as knowing the terminology. Your shipment details—dimensions, weight, commodity information, freight class when applicable, and pickup or delivery requirements—should reflect what you’re actually shipping. Differences between quoted and actual shipment details can affect your final charges. Getting those details right is also an important part of building a smarter LTL shipping strategy as your freight volume and needs grow.

LTL shipping FAQs

Can I manage LTL and parcel through the same ShipStation account?

Yes. LTL freight is native to ShipStation, allowing you to manage freight alongside parcel without maintaining a separate shipping platform.

Does LTL freight always need to be palletized?

No. While palletizing is common for LTL freight, some items can ship as individual handling units, such as crates, large boxes, drums, or other properly packaged freight. Whether a shipment should be palletized depends on the product, its size and weight, how it can be safely handled, and the carrier’s requirements. When pallets are used, they can help consolidate multiple items, make freight easier to handle, and provide additional protection during transit.

What information do I need to get an LTL quote?

You’ll typically need origin and destination information, along with shipment details such as dimensions, weight, commodity information, and any special pickup or delivery requirements. Accurate information helps produce a more reliable quote.

Can LTL freight be delivered to a residence?

Yes, when the selected carrier and service support residential delivery. Additional services, such as a liftgate, may also be needed depending on the location, available equipment, and freight being delivered.

What should I consider when choosing an LTL carrier?

Look beyond price. Service area, transit time, shipment requirements, carrier capabilities, and available services can all matter. Comparing your options can help you choose the carrier and service that fit the shipment.

Make room for more ways to ship

As your business grows, what you ship can change just as much as how much you ship. Parcel may still be the right choice for most of your orders. But when the next shipment is bigger, heavier, or simply better suited for freight, you don’t have to force it into your parcel process or build an entirely new one.

With parcel and LTL together in ShipStation, you have more ways to ship and more flexibility to choose what works for each order. Explore LTL freight shipping with ShipStation and find the right way to move your next shipment.

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Dustin Coleman
Dustin Coleman
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