{"id":101829,"date":"2026-09-29T09:36:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T14:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/?post_type=guides&#038;p=101829"},"modified":"2026-11-10T11:50:17","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T17:50:17","slug":"what-is-ltl-shipping-ltl-freight-101","status":"publish","type":"guides","link":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/en-gb\/guides\/what-is-ltl-shipping-ltl-freight-101\/","title":{"rendered":"What is LTL Shipping? Your Complete Guide to Less Than Truckload Freight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Figtree:wght@400;500;600;700;800&amp;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>\n\/* ============================================================\n   WHAT IS LTL SHIPPING GUIDE HEADER: SPLIT LAYOUT (text left, image right)\n   Paste into a WordPress Custom HTML block. 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cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1) 0.7s both, hero-float 6s ease-in-out 1.8s infinite alternate; }\n\n\/* Tablets and phones: stack, text first, scroll hint under the text, image last *\/\n@media (max-width: 860px) {\n  .hero { min-height: 0; padding: 3.5rem 1.25rem 2.5rem; }\n  .hero-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 1.5rem; padding-bottom: 0; }\n  .hero-text::before { inset: -2.5rem -1.5rem; }\n  .hero-scroll-hint { position: static; order: 1; justify-self: start; }\n  .hero-image { order: 2; max-height: none; }\n}\n@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {\n  .hero-badge, .hero h1, .hero-sub, .hero-scroll-hint, .hero-image, .hero-scrim { animation: none; }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<section class=\"hero\">\n  <div class=\"hero-photo\">\n    <video class=\"hero-video on\" autoplay muted playsinline preload=\"auto\"><source src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/what-is-ltl-guide-background-video.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/video>\n    <video class=\"hero-video\" muted playsinline preload=\"auto\"><source src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/what-is-ltl-guide-background-video.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/video>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"hero-scrim\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"hero-inner\">\n    <div class=\"hero-text\">\n      <div class=\"hero-badge\">LTL Freight Guide<\/div>\n      <h1>What Is <em>LTL Shipping?<\/em><\/h1>\n      <p class=\"hero-sub\">\n        Your complete guide to less than truckload freight\n      <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ltl-guide-hero-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Semi truck on a highway with freight documents and pallet icons, illustrating LTL shipping\">\n    <a class=\"hero-scroll-hint\" href=\"#at-a-glance\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12l7 7 7-7\"><\/path>\n      <\/svg>\n      Scroll to explore\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<script>\n\/* Seamless header video loop (crossfades the end into the start), played in slow motion *\/\n(function () {\n  var vids = document.querySelectorAll('.hero-video');\n  if (vids.length !== 2) { return; }\n  var RATE = 0.5; \/* playback speed: 1 is normal, 0.5 is half speed, 0.35 is slower still *\/\n  var cur = vids[0], other = vids[1], FADE = 1.2, swapping = false;\n  if (getComputedStyle(cur).display === 'none') { return; }\n  for (var i = 0; i < vids.length; i++) {\n    vids[i].defaultPlaybackRate = RATE;\n    vids[i].playbackRate = RATE;\n    vids[i].addEventListener('loadedmetadata', function () { this.playbackRate = RATE; });\n  }\n  function play(v) { v.playbackRate = RATE; var p = v.play(); if (p &#038;&#038; p.catch) { p.catch(function () {}); } }\n  function tick() {\n    \/* start the crossfade FADE real seconds before the end, even at slow speed *\/\n    if (cur.duration &#038;&#038; !swapping &#038;&#038; (cur.duration - cur.currentTime) <= FADE * RATE) {\n      swapping = true;\n      var next = other, prev = cur;\n      next.currentTime = 0;\n      play(next);\n      next.classList.add('on');\n      prev.classList.remove('on');\n      setTimeout(function () {\n        prev.pause();\n        prev.currentTime = 0;\n        cur = next; other = prev; swapping = false;\n      }, FADE * 1000);\n    }\n    requestAnimationFrame(tick);\n  }\n  requestAnimationFrame(tick);\n})();\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<div style=\"background:#F7F8F7;border:1px solid rgba(17,0,58,0.12);border-radius:16px;padding:1.75rem 2rem;font-family:'Figtree',sans-serif;margin:2rem 0\">\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 20px;color:#11003A\">In this guide<\/p>\n<div style=\"columns:3;column-gap:32px;column-rule:1px solid rgba(17,0,58,0.12);font-size:15px;line-height:1.4\">\n<a href=\"#the-ltl-shipping-guide\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">The LTL shipping guide<\/a>\n<a href=\"#what-is-ltl-freight-shipping\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">What is LTL freight shipping?<\/a>\n<a href=\"#how-does-ltl-shipping-work\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">How does LTL shipping work?<\/a>\n<a href=\"#preparing-an-ltl-shipment\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">Preparing an LTL shipment<\/a>\n<a href=\"#what-to-expect-at-ltl-pickup-and-delivery\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">What to expect at LTL pickup and delivery<\/a>\n<a href=\"#ltl-freight-documentation\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">LTL freight documentation<\/a>\n<a href=\"#ltl-freight-classification\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">LTL freight classification<\/a>\n<a href=\"#ltl-shipping-rates-pricing-and-cost-factors\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">LTL shipping rates: pricing and cost factors<\/a>\n<a href=\"#ltl-freight-insurance\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">LTL freight insurance<\/a>\n<a href=\"#how-does-ltl-tracking-differ-from-parcel-tracking\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">How does LTL tracking differ from parcel tracking?<\/a>\n<a href=\"#common-ltl-shipping-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">Common LTL shipping mistakes and how to avoid them<\/a>\n<a href=\"#how-to-choose-an-ltl-freight-carrier\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">How to choose an LTL freight carrier<\/a>\n<a href=\"#the-role-of-ltl-shipping-technology\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">The role of LTL shipping technology<\/a>\n<a href=\"#working-with-a-3pl-or-shipping-partner\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">Working with a 3PL or shipping partner<\/a>\n<a href=\"#ltl-freight-faqs\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">LTL freight FAQs<\/a>\n<a href=\"#build-a-shipping-strategy-with-more-options\" style=\"color:#11003A;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;break-inside:avoid\">Build an LTL shipping strategy with more options<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 id=\"h-at-a-glance\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\" style=\"color:#5c50ff;font-size:16px\">AT A GLANCE<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Less than truckload (LTL) shipping in brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"font-family:'Figtree',sans-serif;background:transparent;padding:2rem 0 0 0;max-width:1200px\">\n\n  <div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:3rem 4rem\">\n\n    <!-- 1 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">1<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>LTL bridges parcel and truckload.<\/strong> Shipments too big for parcel but too small for a full trailer ship best as LTL.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- 2 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">2<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Freight moves through a network, not a straight line.<\/strong> Pickup, origin terminal, line haul, destination terminal, then final delivery\u2014loaded and unloaded several times en route.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- 3 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">3<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Pricing is never just about weight.<\/strong> Freight class, dimensions, lane, and accessorial services all factor in, so similar shipments can quote very differently.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- 4 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">4<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Packaging has to survive more handling than parcel.<\/strong> Freight moves through several terminals, so secure pallets and protected edges matter most.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- 5 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">5<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Documentation errors get expensive fast.<\/strong> An inaccurate BOL or wrong freight class can trigger reclassification, billing adjustments, or delays.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- 6 -->\n    <div style=\"display:flex;gap:1.5rem;align-items:flex-start\">\n      <div style=\"font-size:2.2rem;font-weight:800;color:#5c50ff;line-height:1;flex-shrink:0;letter-spacing:-1px\">6<\/div>\n      <div style=\"flex:1\">\n        <div style=\"font-size:1.05rem;color:#1a1240;line-height:1.5\"><strong>The right partner changes how manageable LTL feels.<\/strong> Whether you work with carriers directly or through a 3PL, the right setup lets LTL scale with your business.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"the-ltl-shipping-guide\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-the-ltl-shipping-guide\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">The LTL shipping guide<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Businesses are always looking for ways to make shipping more efficient. That could mean reducing costs, saving time, simplifying operations, or finding a better way to move products as shipping needs change.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-1.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-introduction\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/freight-optimization-how-to-build-a-smarter-ltl-shipping-strategy\/\">Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping can be part of that strategy<\/a>. It gives businesses another way to move freight through LTL freight carriers, with service and delivery options that differ from those you'll find with parcel or full-truckload shipping. For the right shipments, those options can make LTL shipping a valuable addition to your transportation mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But LTL freight has its nuances. Freight class, carrier networks, accessorial charges, bills of lading, packaging requirements, and even how you measure your freight can affect how a shipment moves and what you ultimately pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news? LTL gets a lot easier once you understand how the pieces fit together. This LTL guide will help you make sense of the terminology, requirements, costs, and options so you can make better LTL shipping decisions from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ss-back-to-top\" style=\"position:fixed;bottom:2rem;right:2rem;width:44px;height:44px;background:#00E664;color:#11003A;border-radius:50%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer;opacity:0;transform:translateY(10px);transition:opacity 0.3s,transform 0.3s;z-index:100;box-shadow:0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15)\" onclick=\"window.scrollTo({top:0,behavior:'smooth'})\">\u2191<\/div>\n\n<script>\n(function() {\n  var btn = document.getElementById('ss-back-to-top');\n  window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {\n    if (window.scrollY > 400) {\n      btn.style.opacity = '1';\n      btn.style.transform = 'translateY(0)';\n    } else {\n      btn.style.opacity = '0';\n      btn.style.transform = 'translateY(10px)';\n    }\n  });\n})();\n<\/script>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"what-is-ltl-freight-shipping\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-what-is-ltl-freight-shipping\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">What is LTL freight shipping?<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">LTL shipping is a freight transportation option in which shipments from multiple businesses share space on the same trailer. Instead of paying for a dedicated truck, each shipper pays to move freight as part of a larger consolidated load. That makes LTL a useful option for freight that\u2019s too large, heavy, or otherwise unsuitable for parcel shipping but doesn\u2019t require the capacity of an entire trailer.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-2.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-breakdown-of-parcel-vs-ltl-vs-ftl\">Breakdown of Parcel vs. LTL vs. FTL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Consideration<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Parcel<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">LTL<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">FTL<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Typical shipment size<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Smaller packages within parcel carrier size limits<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Often palletized or crated freight that doesn't require a full trailer<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Larger shipments that require or benefit from a dedicated trailer<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Typical weight<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Up to 150 lbs. per package<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">About 150\u201315,000 lbs. per shipment<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Varies; typically used for larger or higher-volume shipments (often over 15,000 lbs.)<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">What else is in the truck<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Packages from many shippers<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight from multiple shippers<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Typically one shipper's load<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Pricing<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Based on factors such as package weight, dimensions, service, and distance<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Based on factors such as weight, dimensions, freight class, lane, and additional services<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Based largely on the truck, lane, equipment, capacity, and market conditions<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Handling<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Individual packages move through a parcel network<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight may move through multiple terminals<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Typically moves directly from origin to destination<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Best for<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Smaller, lighter shipments<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight that doesn't need an entire truck<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">Larger-volume, dedicated, or time-sensitive freight<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These weight ranges are useful guidelines, not universal rules. Shipment dimensions, carrier requirements, service needs, and other factors can also influence which mode makes the most sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-where-does-partial-truckload-fit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does partial truckload fit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Partial truckload (PTL) shipping fills the gap between traditional LTL and full-truckload shipping. Like LTL, multiple shipments can share space on the same trailer. But PTL typically moves more like truckload freight, with fewer transfers and less handling through carrier terminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That can make PTL worth considering for larger shipments that don't require an entire trailer, particularly when reducing handling is important. There isn't a universal weight or pallet count that determines when PTL is the right choice, so compare your options based on the freight, lane, service requirements, and total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--sm\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859435146\">\n            <div class=\"content--lg  \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>The three players in an LTL shipment<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-top columns-3 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-cobalt-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ltl-guide-block-2.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Shipper<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The person or business sending the goods.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-cobalt-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ltl-guide-block-1.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Carrier<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The transportation provider physically moving the freight.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-cobalt-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ltl-guide-block-3.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Consignee<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The person or business designated to receive the shipment.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The consignee isn\u2019t necessarily the buyer or end user. The term refers specifically to the receiving party identified for the shipment, which is why consignee information appears on shipping documentation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-makes-a-shipment-a-good-fit-for-ltl-freight\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What makes a shipment a good fit for LTL freight?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There isn\u2019t a universal weight range that determines whether a shipment must move by LTL. While shipments between roughly 150 and 15,000 pounds are commonly associated with LTL, the right mode depends on more than weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LTL may make sense when a shipment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is too large or heavy for standard parcel shipping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be secured to a pallet or placed in a crate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Doesn't require an entire trailer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Includes multiple packages that may be better consolidated into a freight shipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has delivery requirements better suited to a freight carrier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The need for LTL can also develop naturally as a business grows. An order that once consisted of two or three packages might eventually become 10, 15, or 20 boxes for the same commercial customer. A manufacturer may begin selling equipment that exceeds parcel carrier limits. A retailer may start replenishing stores by the pallet rather than by the package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of those situations automatically means LTL is the right choice. But they\u2019re good reasons to compare shipping modes rather than assume parcel is still the best option. Shipment size, weight, destination, delivery requirements, timing, and total cost can all help determine which mode makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-ltl-freight-terms-worth-knowing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">LTL freight terms worth knowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A little freight vocabulary makes the rest of the process much easier to understand:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Freight class:<\/em> A classification used in rating many LTL shipments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC)<\/em>: A standard used to classify commodities moving by LTL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Bill of lading (BOL)<\/em>: A key shipping document containing details about the shipment and terms of transportation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Accessorial<\/em>: An additional service or requirement that may result in a charge beyond the base transportation rate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Linear feet<\/em>: The amount of trailer length occupied by freight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll see many of these terms throughout the LTL shipping process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-benefits-of-ltl-shipping\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The benefits of LTL shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/freight-optimization-how-to-build-a-smarter-ltl-shipping-strategy\/\">A major advantage of LTL is flexibility<\/a>. Businesses can move freight without paying for an entire trailer when they don\u2019t need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859435969\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Other potential benefits include: <\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--money icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M32,60c-15.44,0-28-12.56-28-28S16.56,4,32,4s28,12.56,28,28-12.56,28-28,28ZM32,6c-14.34,0-26,11.66-26,26s11.66,26,26,26,26-11.66,26-26S46.34,6,32,6Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M31,50v-4c0-.55-.45-1-1-1h-3.72l-3.28-2.95v-3.05h2v1.71c0,.28.12.55.33.74l1.43,1.29c.18.17.42.26.67.26h9.13c.25,0,.49-.09.67-.26l1.43-1.29c.21-.19.33-.46.33-.74v-5.42c0-.28-.12-.55-.33-.74l-1.43-1.29c-.18-.17-.42-.26-.67-.26h-10.28l-3.28-2.95v-8.09l3.28-2.95h3.72c.55,0,1-.45,1-1v-4h2v4c0,.55.45,1,1,1h3.72l3.28,2.95v3.05h-2v-1.71c0-.28-.12-.55-.33-.74l-1.43-1.29c-.18-.17-.42-.26-.67-.26h-9.13c-.25,0-.49.09-.67.26l-1.43,1.29c-.21.19-.33.46-.33.74v5.42c0,.28.12.55.33.74l1.43,1.29c.18.17.42.26.67.26h10.28l3.28,2.95v8.09l-3.28,2.95h-3.72c-.55,0-1,.45-1,1v4h-2Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M33,51h-2l-1-1v-4h-3.72l-.67-.26-3.28-2.95-.33-.74v-3.05l1-1h2l1,1v1.71l1.43,1.29h9.13s1.43-1.29,1.43-1.29v-5.42l-1.43-1.29h-10.28s-.67-.26-.67-.26l-3.28-2.95-.33-.74v-8.09l.33-.74,3.28-2.95.67-.26h3.72v-4l1-1h2l1,1v4h3.72l.67.26,3.28,2.95.33.74v3.05l-1,1h-2l-1-1v-1.71l-1.43-1.29h-9.13s-1.43,1.29-1.43,1.29v5.42l1.43,1.29h10.28s.67.26.67.26l3.28,2.95.33.74v8.09l-.33.74-3.28,2.95-.67.26h-3.72v4l-1,1ZM26.67,44h3.33c1.1,0,2,.9,2,2,0-1.1.9-2,2-2h-6.57c-.5,0-.97-.18-1.34-.51l-1.15-1.03,1.72,1.55ZM36.57,44h.77l1.7-1.53-1.13,1.01c-.37.33-.84.51-1.34.51ZM24,41.6l.65.58c-.41-.38-.65-.91-.65-1.47v.89ZM40,40.71c0,.56-.24,1.1-.65,1.47l.65-.58v-.89ZM39.35,33.82c.41.38.65.91.65,1.47v-.89l-.65-.58ZM26.67,32h9.9c.5,0,.97.18,1.34.51l1.15,1.03-1.72-1.55h-9.9c-.5,0-.97-.18-1.34-.51l-1.15-1.03,1.72,1.55ZM24,29.6l.65.58c-.41-.38-.65-.91-.65-1.47v.89ZM40,24v-1.6l-.65-.58c.41.38.65.91.65,1.47v.71ZM24,22.4v.89c0-.56.24-1.1.65-1.47l-.65.58ZM36.57,20c.5,0,.97.18,1.34.51l1.15,1.03-1.72-1.55h-.77ZM26.67,20l-1.7,1.53,1.13-1.01c.37-.33.84-.51,1.34-.51h-.77ZM30,20h4c-1.1,0-2-.9-2-2,0,1.1-.9,2-2,2Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Cost efficiency<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Share transportation capacity with other shippers rather than dedicating an entire truck to your freight.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ShipStation_BrightGreenDeepIndigo_RGB_LTL-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"icon\" loading=\"eager\" \/>\n    \n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">A bridge between parcel and FTL<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Move freight that has outgrown parcel without jumping directly to full truckload.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--rate-shopper icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - 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Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M35.71,46.71h-1.41l-17-17v-1.41l18-18c6.22-6.22,23-6.29,23.71-6.29l1,1c0,.71-.09,17.5-6.29,23.71l-18,18ZM19.41,29l15.59,15.59,17.29-17.29c4.81-4.81,5.57-17.56,5.69-21.27-3.71.12-16.45.87-21.27,5.69l-17.29,17.29Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M35.71,59.71l-1.71-.71v-13l.29-.71,13-13,1.71.71v13l-.29.71-13,13ZM36,46.41v10.17l11-11v-10.17l-11,11Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M18,30H5l-.71-1.71,13-13,.71-.29h13l.71,1.71-13,13-.71.29ZM7.41,28h10.17l11-11h-10.17l-11,11Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <circle fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" cx=\"46\" cy=\"18\" r=\"4\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M46,23c-2.76,0-5-2.24-5-5s2.24-5,5-5,5,2.24,5,5-2.24,5-5,5ZM46,15c-1.65,0-3,1.35-3,3s1.35,3,3,3,3-1.35,3-3-1.35-3-3-3Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <g>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M22.71,41.29c-3.06-3.06-8.01-3.06-11.06,0-3.06,3.06-5.64,16.71-5.64,16.71,0,0,13.65-2.59,16.71-5.64,3.06-3.06,3.06-8.01,0-11.06Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M4.74,59.26l.27-1.44c.27-1.43,2.74-14.05,5.92-17.23,3.44-3.44,9.04-3.44,12.48,0h0c3.44,3.44,3.44,9.04,0,12.48-3.18,3.18-15.8,5.65-17.23,5.92l-1.44.27ZM17.18,40c-1.75,0-3.49.67-4.82,2-2.07,2.07-4.14,10.31-5.07,14.72,4.42-.93,12.66-3.01,14.72-5.07,2.66-2.66,2.66-6.99,0-9.65-1.33-1.33-3.08-2-4.83-2Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Scalability<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Add LTL as order sizes and shipping needs grow without completely changing your transportation strategy.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trade-off is that LTL can be more complex than parcel shipping. Accurate shipment information, proper packaging, freight classification, and additional service requirements can all affect your final cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"how-does-ltl-shipping-work\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-how-does-ltl-shipping-work\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">How does LTL shipping work?<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Understanding how LTL freight moves helps explain both its cost advantages and some of its operational differences. The basic model is consolidation. Instead of dedicating an entire trailer to one shipment, LTL carriers combine freight from multiple shippers moving through their networks. <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-3.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That allows the available trailer capacity to be used more efficiently. It also means an LTL shipment may be handled and transferred at terminals as it travels from origin to destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-how-ltl-truck-freight-moves-step-by-step\">How LTL truck freight moves: step by step<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"width:90%; max-width:760px; margin:24px auto;\">\n<svg width=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 760 560\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" style=\"font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\">\n<title>The LTL journey, step by step<\/title>\n<desc>A vertical timeline of five steps on a light grey background, each with a teal numbered circle, title, and description: pickup, origin terminal, line haul, destination terminal, and final delivery.<\/desc>\n\n<rect x=\"1\" y=\"1\" width=\"758\" height=\"558\" rx=\"16\" fill=\"#F8F8F8\" stroke=\"#E0E0E0\" stroke-width=\"1\"\/>\n<line x1=\"64\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"64\" y2=\"474\" stroke=\"#BFE8E4\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"52\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#12B5A6\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"53\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">1<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"40\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Pickup<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"64\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">A driver collects the freight from the shipper.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"157\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#12B5A6\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"158\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">2<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"134\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Origin terminal<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"158\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">The shipment may travel to a local terminal, where it's sorted<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"180\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">based on its destination.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"273\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#12B5A6\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"274\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">3<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"250\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Line haul<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"274\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">The freight moves between terminals, often alongside shipments<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"296\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">from other businesses.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"389\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#12B5A6\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"390\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">4<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"366\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Destination terminal<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"390\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">The shipment arrives at a terminal serving the destination area<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"412\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">and is prepared for final delivery.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"494\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#12B5A6\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"495\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">5<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"482\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Final delivery<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"506\" fill=\"#4b5563\" font-size=\"18\">A local driver delivers the freight to the consignee.<\/text>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact journey varies by carrier, lane, and service. Some shipments may require more transfers than others, but the sequence above is typical of how LTL freight moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-all-the-handling-matters\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why all the handling matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The LTL network is one reason packaging deserves so much attention. Freight may be loaded and unloaded several times as it moves through terminals, across docks, and onto different trailers on its way to the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-row block not-prose padding-top--sm padding-bottom--sm border--both columns-2 align-center gap-xl ratio-70-30\">\n    <div class=\"content--md\">\n        <div class=\"container not-prose\">\n\n                        <div class=\"content-row__columns\">\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                                                    <h2 class=\"h4\">The 2026 Merchant Insights Report<\/h2>\n                                \n                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__body\">How 868 merchants manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second workflow that never caught up.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__cta-wrapper\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" class=\"btn\">Read the Report<\/a>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those additional handling points make secure packaging especially important. A pallet that looks secure sitting on a warehouse floor also needs to remain stable as it moves through terminals and travels alongside other freight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-ltl-cargo-with-shipping-pallets-and-freight-packaging\/\">Good packaging starts before pickup<\/a> because there\u2019s little you can do to strengthen or reconfigure a shipment once it enters the carrier network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-ltl-transit-times-can-vary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why LTL transit times can vary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because freight may move through multiple terminals rather than directly from pickup to delivery, LTL transit times can differ considerably by lane and carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Published transit times can help you compare services, but they aren\u2019t always guaranteed. If a shipment has a firm delivery deadline, look closely at the quoted service and whether the carrier offers an expedited or guaranteed option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is particularly important when setting expectations with your own customers. A realistic delivery window is more useful than assuming every LTL shipment will move at the same speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-additional-and-speciality-ltl-freight-services\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional and speciality LTL freight services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every LTL shipment fits a standard pickup-and-delivery process. Some freight requires additional equipment, handling, delivery arrangements, or service options based on the shipment or the locations involved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-depending-on-the-carrier-and-shipment-additional-and-specialty-ltl-services-may-include\">Depending on the carrier and shipment, additional and specialty LTL services may include:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Service<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">When it may be needed<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Liftgate service<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The pickup or delivery location doesn't have a loading dock or suitable equipment for loading or unloading the freight<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Inside pickup or delivery<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight needs to be moved beyond the carrier's standard pickup or delivery point<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Residential delivery<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight is being delivered to a residence rather than a typical commercial location<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Limited-access service<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The pickup or delivery location has access restrictions or conditions that may require additional time or coordination<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Appointment delivery<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The consignee needs the carrier to arrange a delivery time or window<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Expedited LTL<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The shipment requires faster transit than standard LTL service<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Temperature-controlled service<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight needs to remain within specified temperature conditions during transportation<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Hazardous materials shipping<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">The shipment contains regulated hazardous materials and must meet applicable transportation requirements<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Service availability, requirements, and charges vary by carrier. Providing accurate shipment and location details when requesting a quote can help identify the services you need and produce a more accurate expected cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"preparing-an-ltl-shipment\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-preparing-an-ltl-shipment\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">Preparing an LTL shipment<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-ltl-cargo-with-shipping-pallets-and-freight-packaging\/\">Proper LTL preparation starts before the carrier arrives<\/a>. Accurate measurements help support a reliable quote, while appropriate packaging and labeling help protect and identify the freight as it moves through the carrier network.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-4.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-measure-and-weigh\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Measure and weigh<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Measure the shipment\u2019s length, width, and height, including the pallet and packaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include projections, overhang, or other elements that increase the shipment\u2019s overall dimensions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine the shipment\u2019s total weight, including pallets and packaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recheck irregularly shaped freight carefully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use accurate measurements when requesting a quote.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carriers may reweigh or remeasure freight. If their measurements differ from the information used to quote the shipment, the final charges may change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One important distinction is that carriers care about the dimensions of the prepared shipment, not simply the dimensions of the product. A 40-inch-wide product can become a 48-inch-wide shipment once it\u2019s placed on a pallet, protected, wrapped, and prepared for transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That final footprint is what occupies trailer space, so measure after the freight is fully packaged whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-package-and-secure-the-freight\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Package and secure the freight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use a pallet, crate, or other packaging appropriate for the commodity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secure freight with stretch wrap, banding, or other suitable materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect vulnerable edges, corners, and surfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimize movement within the packaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep freight within the pallet footprint when possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pallet overhang deserves particular attention. Freight that extends beyond the edges of a pallet can be more vulnerable to contact with other freight or material-handling equipment. It can also increase the shipment\u2019s dimensions and affect how efficiently it can be loaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stackability can matter, too. Freight that can safely support other freight above it may give the carrier more options when loading the trailer. However, whether freight can or should be stacked depends on the commodity, packaging, and carrier requirements. Don\u2019t mark freight as stackable unless the packaging can actually support it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-pallet-vs-skid-vs-crate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pallet vs. skid vs. crate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing how to secure your freight starts with what you\u2019re shipping. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-ltl-cargo-with-shipping-pallets-and-freight-packaging\/\">Pallets, skids, and crates<\/a> each offer a different way to support and protect freight in transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Option<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">What it is<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">Types of freight<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Pallet<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">A raised platform with flat surfaces on both the top and bottom. The freight sits on top, while the bottom helps stabilize the platform during transport.<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Boxed goods, packaged products, and other freight that can be stacked and secured<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Skid<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">A raised platform with a flat surface on top but no bottom surface. Instead, the platform rests on parallel supports that sit directly on the floor.<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Machinery, equipment, and other heavy or bulky items that may remain on the same base<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Crate<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">A rigid container or framework built around freight to provide additional protection during handling and transportation.<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">Fragile, high-value, irregularly shaped, or sensitive freight that may need greater protection<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best choice comes down to the freight itself: how large and heavy it is, how it will be handled, and how much protection it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-label-it-clearly\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Label it clearly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make shipment labels easy to see.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include applicable handling instructions or markings when required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep labels from being covered by stretch wrap, straps, or other materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm the information on the label matches the shipment documentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep freight within the pallet footprint when possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is simple: make it easy for the carrier to identify, handle, and route the freight correctly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"what-to-expect-at-ltl-pickup-and-delivery\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-what-to-expect-at-ltl-pickup-and-delivery\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">What to expect at LTL pickup and delivery<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">LTL pickup and delivery can look different from parcel shipping because freight may require a loading dock, forklift, liftgate, appointment, or other arrangements. Preparing for those requirements ahead of time can help keep the shipment moving and reduce the chance of unexpected charges or delays.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-5.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-preparing-for-ltl-pickup\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparing for LTL pickup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the carrier arrives, make sure the freight is packaged, secured, labeled, and ready to move. Confirm the shipment\u2019s weight, dimensions, freight classification, and other information, and have the required shipping documents ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At pickup, the driver will typically collect the freight and confirm the shipment information needed to move it through the carrier network. The shipper may also receive a signed copy of the BOL or other pickup confirmation, depending on the carrier and process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-row block not-prose padding-top--sm padding-bottom--sm border--both columns-2 align-center gap-xl ratio-70-30\">\n    <div class=\"content--md\">\n        <div class=\"container not-prose\">\n\n                        <div class=\"content-row__columns\">\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                                                    <h2 class=\"h4\">The 2026 Merchant Insights Report<\/h2>\n                                \n                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__body\">How 868 merchants manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second workflow that never caught up.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__cta-wrapper\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" class=\"btn\">Read the Report<\/a>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The carrier also needs accurate information about the pickup location. For example, a facility without a loading dock may require liftgate service, while some locations may have access restrictions or specific pickup procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-happens-at-ltl-delivery\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens at LTL delivery?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When freight arrives, the consignee should inspect the shipment for visible loss or damage and compare it with the shipment documentation. Note visible loss or damage on the delivery receipt when appropriate, take photos, and retain relevant documentation in case a claim needs to be filed.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"ltl-freight-documentation\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-freight-documentation\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">LTL freight documentation<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Accurate LTL freight documentation communicates important shipment information to carriers, consignees, and other parties involved in transportation. The exact documents you need depend on what you\u2019re shipping, where it\u2019s going, and any regulatory or carrier requirements.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-9.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-bill-of-lading-bol\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bill of lading (BOL)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/what-does-bol-stand-for-your-bill-of-lading-and-freight-documentation-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The BOL is one of the most important documents<\/a> associated with an LTL shipment. It provides key information about the freight, documents the transportation arrangement, and can serve as a receipt upon the carrier's acceptance of the shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A BOL commonly includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shipper and consignee information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Origin and destination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Number and type of handling units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commodity description<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freight class and NMFC number when applicable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Special instructions or additional services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other information required for the shipment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorrect or incomplete information can result in delays, billing adjustments, reclassification, or other issues, so review the BOL carefully before tendering the freight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-packing-list\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The packing list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A packing list provides a more detailed account of the goods contained in the shipment. While it serves a different purpose than the BOL, it can help the consignee verify what was shipped and identify any shortages or discrepancies when the freight arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-bol-vs-packing-list-what-s-the-difference\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">BOL vs. packing list: What\u2019s the difference?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It helps to think of these documents as answering two different questions. The BOL provides the carrier with key information about the shipment and its transportation. The packing list provides more detail about what\u2019s contained within the shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a BOL might identify three pallets of a particular commodity, along with their total weight and freight classification. The packing list could identify the individual products, quantities, part numbers, or purchase-order information contained on those pallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They complement each other, but one doesn\u2019t replace the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859437709\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Depending on the shipment, additional documentation may include:<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--label-2 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"37\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"16\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"19\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"25\" y=\"32\" width=\"2\" height=\"9\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"25\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"13\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"19\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"30\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"13\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"23\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"13\" y=\"42\" width=\"2\" height=\"5\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"43\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"17\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"49\" y=\"17\" width=\"2\" height=\"14\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"49\" y=\"33\" width=\"2\" height=\"9\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"43\" y=\"36\" width=\"2\" height=\"9\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"37\" y=\"35\" width=\"2\" height=\"3\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31\" y=\"38\" width=\"2\" height=\"5\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"60 54 4 54 4 22 6 22 6 52 58 52 58 12 16 12 16 10 60 10 60 54\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"6.41 21 15 12.41 15 21 6.41 21\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M14,14.83v5.17h-5.17l5.17-5.17M16,10l-12,12h12v-12h0Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"17 23 6 23 6 21 15 21 15 12 17 12 17 23\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Commercial invoice<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Commonly required for international shipments and customs clearance.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--boat icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M44.2,28.86h-25.39v-9.13c0-1.67,1.36-3.03,3.03-3.03h20.32c1.67,0,3.03,1.36,3.03,3.03v8.13h-.99v1ZM20.81,26.86h22.38v-7.13c0-.57-.46-1.03-1.03-1.03h-20.32c-.57,0-1.03.46-1.03,1.03v7.13Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M37.06,18.7h-10.13v-10.13h10.13v10.13ZM28.94,16.7h6.13v-6.13h-6.13v6.13Z\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"25.9\" y=\"21.79\" width=\"12.19\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M48.26,38.43v-10.57H15.74v10.57l16.25-6.51,16.26,6.51Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M14.75,39.91v-13.05h34.51v13.05l-17.26-6.91-17.25,6.91ZM32,30.84l15.26,6.11v-8.09h-30.51v8.09l15.25-6.11Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M58.7,55.43c-2.55,0-3.87-.95-5.03-1.78-1.05-.75-1.96-1.41-3.86-1.41s-2.81.65-3.86,1.41c-1.17.84-2.49,1.78-5.04,1.78s-3.87-.95-5.03-1.78c-1.05-.76-1.96-1.41-3.87-1.41s-2.81.65-3.87,1.41c-1.17.84-2.49,1.78-5.03,1.78s-3.87-.95-5.03-1.78c-1.05-.76-1.96-1.41-3.87-1.41s-2.81.65-3.87,1.41c-1.17.84-2.49,1.78-5.03,1.78v-2c1.9,0,2.81-.65,3.87-1.41,1.17-.84,2.49-1.78,5.03-1.78s3.87.95,5.03,1.78c1.05.76,1.96,1.41,3.87,1.41s2.81-.65,3.87-1.41c1.17-.84,2.49-1.78,5.03-1.78s3.87.95,5.03,1.78c1.05.76,1.96,1.41,3.87,1.41s2.82-.65,3.87-1.41c1.17-.83,2.49-1.78,5.03-1.78s3.86.95,5.02,1.78c1.05.76,1.96,1.41,3.87,1.41v2Z\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31\" y=\"31.92\" width=\"2\" height=\"19.32\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M50.02,51.4l-1.69-1.07c1.83-2.9,2.85-6.21,2.97-9.61l-19.31-7.73-19.31,7.73c.12,3.39,1.14,6.69,2.97,9.61l-1.69,1.06c-2.15-3.42-3.28-7.35-3.28-11.34v-.68l21.32-8.53,21.32,8.53v.68c0,4.02-1.14,7.95-3.29,11.35Z\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Certificate of origin<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">May be required depending on the product, destination, or applicable trade requirements. <\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--document-3 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"54 60 10 60 10 19 12 19 12 58 52 58 52 6 25 6 25 4 54 4 54 60\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"18\" y=\"26\" width=\"27\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"18\" y=\"35\" width=\"27\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"18\" y=\"44\" width=\"19\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"25 19 25 4 10 19 25 19\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Hazardous materials shipping documentation<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Required when regulated hazardous materials are offered for transportation.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--globe icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <g>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M32.66,29.76l-4.48-.79-3.42-2.9-5.8-.26-1.32-2.37,1.32-3.69,6.32-1.32,1.84-2.9-3.92-9.07c-6.03,2.08-11.09,6.22-14.33,11.59l2.19,5.64,4.74,5v6.85l3.42,4.74v10.31l1.58.49,2.9-1.05,1.32-5.27,2.9-3.95.26-2.37,4.48-4.21v-4.48Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M38.45,12.64l-1.58,2.63.26,4.74,3.16,1.84,4.21-2.11,2.11-2.11,4.21,1.32,4.2-1.05c-3.13-5.1-7.9-9.09-13.59-11.21l.43,1.72-.53,2.9-2.9,1.32Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M59,32c0-1.33-.1-2.63-.28-3.91l-2.09.09-3.95-1.05-4.21-2.63-5,.79-2.37,4.48.53,4.48,4.21,1.84,3.42.79-.26,3.69s-1.58,4.48-1.32,4.74c.26.26,2.9,3.95,2.9,3.95v2.34c5.19-4.92,8.43-11.88,8.43-19.6Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M32,60c-15.44,0-28-12.56-28-28S16.56,4,32,4s28,12.56,28,28-12.56,28-28,28ZM32,6c-14.34,0-26,11.66-26,26s11.66,26,26,26,26-11.66,26-26S46.34,6,32,6Z\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Customs documentation<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Required for cross-border shipments based on the countries, commodities, and circumstances involved.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hazardous materials shipments have specific federal requirements for shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, and other forms of hazard communication. Make sure the shipment meets all applicable requirements before tendering it to a carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-make-documentation-part-of-shipment-prep\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make documentation part of shipment prep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many documentation problems begin with inaccurate shipment information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of relying on old product specifications or previous shipment details, verify the current freight before booking. Changes to packaging, pallet configuration, weight, or dimensions can affect the information required for the shipment and potentially its final cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A quick documentation review before pickup can prevent a much more time-consuming correction later.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"ltl-freight-classification\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-freight-classification\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">LTL freight classification<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-classification\/\">Freight class is an important part of LTL shipping<\/a> because it can directly affect how a shipment is rated and priced. <a href=\"https:\/\/nmfta.org\/standards\/classification\/nmfc\/\">The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC)<\/a>, maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), provides a standardized system for classifying commodities moving by LTL. The system includes 18 freight classes ranging from 50 to 500.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-6.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-how-is-ltl-freight-class-determined\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is LTL freight class determined?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Freight classification considers four transportation characteristics: density, handling, stowability, and liability. Under the current NMFC, density is the primary classification factor for many commodities, while handling, stowability, and liability can also affect the applicable class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Freight class factor<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">What it means<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Density<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">How much the freight weighs relative to the space it occupies<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Handling<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">How easy or difficult the freight is to handle<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Stowability<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">How easily the freight can be loaded and transported with other freight<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Liability<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">Characteristics that may create additional risk during transportation<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, denser freight that is easier to handle and stow is associated with lower freight classes. Less-dense freight or freight that is more difficult to handle or stow may receive a higher class. Liability characteristics can also affect classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Density is an important factor in freight classification, but you shouldn\u2019t determine freight class based on density alone. The correct classification depends on the commodity and the applicable NMFC requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859437e76\">\n            <div class=\"content--lg  \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>How to calculate freight density<\/h4>\n                                \n                                    <div class=\"lead\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/freight-density-calculator-calculate-density-for-ltl-shipping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Freight density<\/a> measures how much a shipment weighs compared with the space it occupies.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-top columns-4 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">1<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 15px\">Measure the shipment\u2019s length, width, and height in inches, including the pallet, packaging, and any projections. <\/p>  <\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">2<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 15px\">Multiply length \u00d7 width \u00d7 height to get the shipment\u2019s cubic inches.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">3<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 15px\">Divide the cubic inches by 1,728 to get cubic feet.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">4<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 15px\">Divide the shipment\u2019s total weight in pounds by its cubic feet.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result is the shipment\u2019s density in pounds per cubic foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>: A pallet measuring 48\" \u00d7 40\" \u00d7 48\" occupies approximately 53.3 cubic feet. If the complete handling unit weighs 500 pounds, its density is approximately 9.4 pounds per cubic foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing the density is an important starting point, but it doesn\u2019t automatically tell you the correct freight class. Freight class depends on the applicable NMFC provisions for the commodity you\u2019re shipping. <a href=\"https:\/\/classitplus.nmfta.org\/\">Use the NMFTA\u2019s current classification resources<\/a> or work with your carrier or shipping provider to confirm the correct class before booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-calculate-your-ltl-freight-density\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calculate your LTL freight density<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Freight density measures how much a shipment weighs relative to the space it occupies. It's an important factor in determining freight class for many commodities and can influence your LTL shipping costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the freight density calculator below to enter your shipment's weight and dimensions. The calculator will determine its density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF), helping you better understand how your freight may be classified.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!-- ShipStation freight density calculator: paste into a Beaver Builder HTML module --> \n\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Figtree:wght@400;600;800&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\"> \n\n<style> \n\n#ss-density{--ss-ink:#11003A;--ss-muted:#5F5585;--ss-line:#BEB9FF;--ss-surface:#F7F6FF;--ss-green:#00E664;--ss-green-hover:#40EC8B;--ss-indigo:#5C50FF;--ss-indigo-wash:#EEEDFF; \n\n  box-sizing:border-box;max-width:480px;margin:0 auto;font-family:\"Figtree\",system-ui,-apple-system,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,sans-serif;color:var(--ss-ink);background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #DEDCFF;border-radius:20px;overflow:hidden;text-align:left} \n\n#ss-density *,#ss-density *::before,#ss-density *::after{box-sizing:inherit} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-body{padding:28px 24px 24px} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-title{font-family:inherit;font-size:28px;line-height:32px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.01em;color:var(--ss-ink);margin:0 0 20px;text-align:center;text-transform:none} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:16px} \n\n#ss-density label{display:block;font-family:inherit;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;color:var(--ss-ink);margin:0 0 6px} \n\n#ss-density input{display:block;width:100%;font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;line-height:24px;color:var(--ss-ink);background:#FFFFFF;border:1.5px solid var(--ss-line);border-radius:6px;padding:10px 12px;min-height:44px;margin:0;box-shadow:none;-moz-appearance:textfield} \n\n#ss-density input::-webkit-outer-spin-button,#ss-density input::-webkit-inner-spin-button{-webkit-appearance:none;margin:0} \n\n#ss-density input:focus{outline:none;border-color:var(--ss-indigo);box-shadow:0 0 0 3px var(--ss-indigo-wash)} \n\n#ss-density input[aria-invalid=\"true\"]{border-color:#C8102E} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-btn{display:block;width:100%;margin:24px 0 0;font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;line-height:24px;font-weight:800;color:var(--ss-ink);background:var(--ss-green);border:0;border-radius:999px;padding:12px 24px;min-height:48px;cursor:pointer;text-transform:none;letter-spacing:0;box-shadow:none} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-btn:hover{background:var(--ss-green-hover)} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-btn:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--ss-indigo);outline-offset:2px} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-error{font-size:14px;line-height:20px;color:#C8102E;margin:12px 0 0} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-error:empty{display:none} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-result{background:var(--ss-surface);border-top:1px solid #DEDCFF;padding:20px 24px 24px;text-align:center} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-result-label{font-size:16px;line-height:24px;font-weight:600;color:var(--ss-muted);margin:0 0 8px} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-output{display:block;background:#FFFFFF;border:1.5px solid var(--ss-line);border-radius:12px;padding:12px;font-size:40px;line-height:48px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.02em;color:var(--ss-ink);font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums} \n\n#ss-density .ssd-unit{font-size:16px;line-height:24px;font-weight:600;color:var(--ss-muted);margin-left:6px;letter-spacing:0} \n\n@media (max-width:400px){#ss-density .ssd-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}#ss-density .ssd-title{font-size:24px;line-height:28px}} \n\n<\/style> \n\n \n\n<div id=\"ss-density\"> \n\n  <form class=\"ssd-body\" novalidate> \n\n    <h2 class=\"ssd-title\">Density calculator<\/h2> \n\n    <div class=\"ssd-grid\"> \n\n      <div><label for=\"ssd-l\">Length (inches)<\/label><input id=\"ssd-l\" type=\"number\" inputmode=\"decimal\" min=\"0\" step=\"any\"><\/div> \n\n      <div><label for=\"ssd-w\">Width (inches)<\/label><input id=\"ssd-w\" type=\"number\" inputmode=\"decimal\" min=\"0\" step=\"any\"><\/div> \n\n      <div><label for=\"ssd-h\">Height (inches)<\/label><input id=\"ssd-h\" type=\"number\" inputmode=\"decimal\" min=\"0\" step=\"any\"><\/div> \n\n      <div><label for=\"ssd-wt\">Weight (pounds)<\/label><input id=\"ssd-wt\" type=\"number\" inputmode=\"decimal\" min=\"0\" step=\"any\"><\/div> \n\n    <\/div> \n\n    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"ssd-btn\">Calculate<\/button> \n\n    <p class=\"ssd-error\" role=\"alert\"><\/p> \n\n  <\/form> \n\n  <div class=\"ssd-result\" aria-live=\"polite\"> \n\n    <p class=\"ssd-result-label\">Density<\/p> \n\n    <output class=\"ssd-output\" for=\"ssd-l ssd-w ssd-h ssd-wt\"><span class=\"ssd-val\">0.00<\/span><span class=\"ssd-unit\">lb\/ft\u00b3<\/span><\/output> \n\n  <\/div> \n\n<\/div> \n\n \n\n<script> \n\n(function(){ \n\n  var root=document.getElementById('ss-density');if(!root)return; \n\n  var form=root.querySelector('form'),err=root.querySelector('.ssd-error'),val=root.querySelector('.ssd-val'); \n\n  var ids=['ssd-l','ssd-w','ssd-h','ssd-wt']; \n\n  form.addEventListener('submit',function(e){ \n\n    e.preventDefault(); \n\n    var n=[],bad=false; \n\n    ids.forEach(function(id){var el=root.querySelector('#'+id),x=parseFloat(el.value);var ok=x>0;el.setAttribute('aria-invalid',ok?'false':'true');if(!ok)bad=true;n.push(x)}); \n\n    if(bad){err.textContent='Enter a number greater than 0 in each field.';val.textContent='0.00';return} \n\n    err.textContent=''; \n\n    var cubicFeet=n[0]*n[1]*n[2]\/1728; \n\n    val.textContent=(n[3]\/cubicFeet).toFixed(2); \n\n  }); \n\n})(); \n\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Y<em>our calculated density doesn't automatically determine your freight class. The applicable NMFC item and other classification requirements must also be considered.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-accurate-freight-classification-matters\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why accurate freight classification matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the wrong freight class can affect the rate you were quoted and what you\u2019re ultimately charged. Misclassified freight can result in reclassification charges, billing adjustments, delays, and other shipping issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accurate information on commodity, weight, dimensions, and packaging can help reduce these problems. Because the NMFC is updated periodically, it\u2019s also important to use current information when determining freight class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859438542\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Did you know? DIM weight and freight density aren\u2019t the same<\/h4>\n                                \n                                    <div class=\"lead\">DIM weight and freight density both involve shipment dimensions, but they use them differently.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">DIM weight<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 16px\">Used in parcel shipping to account for the space a package occupies. To calculate it, the package\u2019s length, width, and height are multiplied together and divided by a DIM divisor established by the carrier. The carrier then generally compares the resulting DIM weight with the package\u2019s actual weight and uses the greater of the two to determine the billable weight.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Freight density<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 15px\">Used in LTL shipping to measure how heavy a shipment is relative to the space it occupies. To calculate it, multiply the shipment\u2019s length, width, and height in inches to determine its volume in cubic inches. Divide that number by 1,728 to convert it to cubic feet, then divide the shipment\u2019s actual weight by its cubic feet. The result is its density in pounds per cubic foot.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">&nbsp;<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">DIM weight<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight density<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Commonly used for<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Parcel shipping<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">LTL shipping<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">How it's calculated<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Length \u00d7 width \u00d7 height \u00f7 carrier DIM divisor<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Actual weight \u00f7 shipment volume in cubic feet<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Uses actual weight in the calculation?<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">No<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Yes<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Uses dimensions in the calculation?<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Yes<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Yes<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Result<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">A calculated weight<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Pounds per cubic foot<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">What happens next?<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The carrier generally compares DIM weight with actual weight and uses the greater of the two as the billable weight<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">The density is used as applicable in determining the shipment's freight class<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">How it can affect cost<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Billable weight can affect the parcel shipping rate<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">Freight class can affect the LTL shipping rate<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the fundamental distinction: DIM weight is calculated from dimensions, not actual weight. Freight density is calculated from both dimensions and actual weight and tells you how many pounds of freight there are per cubic foot.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"ltl-shipping-rates-pricing-and-cost-factors\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-shipping-rates-pricing-and-cost-factors\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">LTL shipping rates: pricing and cost factors<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/the-factors-that-influence-ltl-freight-rates-and-how-to-save-on-shipping\/\">LTL pricing is influenced by several variables<\/a> rather than a single shipment characteristic. Understanding those variables makes it easier to compare LTL shipping rates and identify why the final cost of one shipment may differ from another.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-7.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some of the cost-factor variables that often come into play:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weight and dimensions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freight class<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Origin and destination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessorial charges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carrier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market condition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-similar-shipments-can-have-different-rates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why similar shipments can have different rates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two shipments can look almost identical and still receive different quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine two 500-pound pallets with the same dimensions. One moves between major commercial areas that a carrier serves every day. The other is headed to a destination outside that carrier\u2019s core network and requires a delivery appointment and liftgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-row block not-prose padding-top--sm padding-bottom--sm border--both columns-2 align-center gap-xl ratio-70-30\">\n    <div class=\"content--md\">\n        <div class=\"container not-prose\">\n\n                        <div class=\"content-row__columns\">\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                                                    <h2 class=\"h4\">The 2026 Merchant Insights Report<\/h2>\n                                \n                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__body\">How 868 merchants manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second workflow that never caught up.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__cta-wrapper\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" class=\"btn\">Read the Report<\/a>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The freight itself may be nearly identical, but the transportation requirements aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carrier networks matter, too. One carrier may have regular capacity and a strong network on a particular lane, while another may move that freight differently through its network. That's one reason the same LTL shipment can produce a range of rates from different LTL freight carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A quote ultimately reflects both the freight and what it takes a particular carrier to move it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-accessorial-charges-to-understand\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accessorial charges to understand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-accessorial-fees-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-avoid-them\/\">An accessorial is an additional charge<\/a> associated with a service or circumstance beyond standard transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several of the additional and specialty services covered earlier may result in accessorial charges, including liftgate service, residential pickup or delivery, inside pickup or delivery, limited-access service, and delivery appointments. Other accessorials can include certain types of storage, detention, or redelivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact charges and definitions vary by carrier. Identifying these needs when you quote and book a shipment can help produce a more accurate expected cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/fuel-is-expensive-7-ways-to-offset-fuel-surcharges-for-shipping\/\">Fuel surcharges may also apply to LTL shipments<\/a>, although they\u2019re generally treated as a separate component of the freight rate rather than an accessorial charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-ways-to-manage-ltl-shipping-costs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ways to manage LTL shipping costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can\u2019t control every factor that affects freight pricing, but you can control many of the inputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859438f7d\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Consider these practices to optimize costs:<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-top columns-3 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--edit-2 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M16.88,59H6l-1-1v-10.88l.29-.71L46.07,5.64h1.41l10.88,10.88v1.41L17.58,58.71l-.71.29ZM7,57h9.46L56.24,17.22l-9.46-9.46L7,47.54v9.46Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"42.84\" y=\"7.72\" width=\"11.31\" height=\"15.56\" transform=\"translate(3.24 38.83) rotate(-45)\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M50,26.41l-12.41-12.41,9.41-9.41,12.41,12.41-9.41,9.41ZM40.41,14l9.59,9.59,6.59-6.59-9.59-9.59-6.59,6.59Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Measure accurately<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Correct dimensions and weight help produce more reliable quotes and classifications.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--box icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31\" y=\"17.58\" width=\"2\" height=\"32.43\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M51.46,51.01H12.54l-1-1V17.58l1-1h38.91l1,1v32.43l-1,1ZM13.54,49.01h36.91v-30.43H13.54v30.43Z\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"11.47 16.5 1.05 32.71 22.86 32.71 32 18.5 41.14 32.71 62.95 32.71 52.53 16.5 11.47 16.5\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Package efficiently<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Reducing unnecessary shipment volume can increase freight density, which may affect the applicable class for commodities by density.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--integrations icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"16.02\" y=\"31.02\" width=\"8\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"24.01\" y=\"24.02\" width=\"15.99\" height=\"15.99\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M41.01,41.02h-17.99v-17.99h17.99v17.99ZM25.01,39.02h13.99v-13.99h-13.99v13.99Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M17.02,17.03h-8v-8h8v8ZM11.02,15.03h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M36.01,17.03h-8v-8h8v8ZM30.01,15.03h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M55,36.02h-8v-8h8v8ZM49,34.02h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M17.02,36.02h-8v-8h8v8ZM11.02,34.02h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"50\" y=\"35.02\" width=\"2\" height=\"12.99\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"12.02\" y=\"16.03\" width=\"2\" height=\"12.99\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"29.01 52.01 12.02 52.01 12.02 35.02 14.02 35.02 14.02 50.01 29.01 50.01 29.01 52.01\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"52 29.02 50 29.02 50 14.03 35.01 14.03 35.01 12.03 52 12.03 52 29.02\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31.01\" y=\"16.03\" width=\"2\" height=\"8\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M55,55.01h-8v-8h8v8ZM49,53.01h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M36.01,55.01h-8v-8h8v8ZM30.01,53.01h4v-4h-4v4Z\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"31.01\" y=\"54.01\" width=\"2\" height=\"10\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\".03\" y=\"31.02\" width=\"9.72\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"50\" y=\".04\" width=\"2\" height=\"12.99\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Consolidate when it makes sense<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Combining compatible shipments may sometimes be more efficient than moving them separately.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--currency-2 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M42,20H4v-10h38v10ZM6,18h34v-6H6v6Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M42,29H4v-11h38v11ZM6,27h34v-7H6v7Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M42,38H4v-11h38v11ZM6,36h34v-7H6v7Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M42,46H4v-10h38v10ZM6,44h34v-6H6v6Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <circle fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" cx=\"41\" cy=\"35\" r=\"18\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M41,54c-10.48,0-19-8.52-19-19s8.52-19,19-19,19,8.52,19,19-8.52,19-19,19ZM41,18c-9.37,0-17,7.63-17,17s7.63,17,17,17,17-7.63,17-17-7.63-17-17-17Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"44.05 42 37.95 42 36 40.25 36 38 38 38 38 39.35 38.72 40 43.28 40 44 39.35 44 36.65 43.28 36 37.95 36 36 34.25 36 29.75 37.95 28 44.05 28 46 29.75 46 32 44 32 44 30.65 43.28 30 38.72 30 38 30.65 38 33.35 38.72 34 44.05 34 46 35.75 46 40.25 44.05 42\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"40\" y=\"25\" width=\"2\" height=\"4\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"40\" y=\"41\" width=\"2\" height=\"4\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Compare carriers<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Different carrier networks and pricing structures can produce different rates for the same lane.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--list icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"54 60 10 60 10 19 12 19 12 58 52 58 52 6 25 6 25 4 54 4 54 60\"\/>\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" points=\"25 19 25 4 10 19 25 19\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"26\" y=\"27\" width=\"11\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"26\" y=\"36\" width=\"21\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"18\" y=\"26\" width=\"4\" height=\"4\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M23,31h-6v-6h6v6ZM19,29h2v-2h-2v2Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"26\" y=\"45\" width=\"21\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"18\" y=\"35\" width=\"4\" height=\"4\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M23,40h-6v-6h6v6ZM19,38h2v-2h-2v2Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"18\" y=\"44\" width=\"4\" height=\"4\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M23,49h-6v-6h6v6ZM19,47h2v-2h-2v2Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Provide complete information when quoting<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Include required accessorials and shipment characteristics upfront.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--analytics icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"21\" y=\"57\" width=\"22\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M39,59h-14v-12.02h14v12.02ZM27,57h10v-8.02h-10v8.02Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"5\" y=\"40\" width=\"54\" height=\"7\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M60,48H4v-9h56v9ZM6,46h52v-5H6v5Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M59,49H5l-1-1V6l1-1h54l1,1v42l-1,1ZM6,47h52V7H6v40Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" x=\"29\" y=\"12\" width=\"6\" height=\"22\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M36,35h-8V11h8v24ZM30,33h4V13h-4v20Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M24,35h-8v-13h8v13ZM18,33h4v-9h-4v9Z\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M48,35h-8v-13h8v13ZM42,33h4v-9h-4v9Z\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"12\" y=\"33\" width=\"40\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"53\" y=\"43\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\"\/>\n  <rect fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" x=\"49\" y=\"43\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\"\/>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Review your shipping data<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Regularly evaluating lanes, carriers, shipment profiles, and costs can uncover ways to improve your strategy.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-compare-more-than-the-rate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compare more than the rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lowest quote isn\u2019t necessarily the best shipping option. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-carriers-how-they-work-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">When comparing LTL carriers<\/a>, consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expected transit time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carrier coverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional charges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracking capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pickup and delivery requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overall service performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A slightly higher rate may be worthwhile when another carrier is better suited to the lane or shipment requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-how-to-read-an-ltl-freight-quote\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to read an LTL freight quote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An LTL freight quote gives you more than a price. It can also help you compare carriers, services, estimated transit times, and other details that may affect the shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943957a\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>While quotes vary by carrier and provider, here are some of the details you may encounter:<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-3 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Carrier and service<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The carrier that will move the freight and the service being quoted.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Transportation charge<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The quoted charge for transporting the freight.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Fuel surcharge<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">An applicable fuel-related charge.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Accessorial charges <\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Charges associated with additional services or shipment requirements <\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Estimated transit time<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The estimated time for the freight to move from pickup to delivery.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Total quoted cost<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The combined quoted charges based on the shipment information provided.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The information used to create the quote matters. Changes to the shipment\u2019s weight, dimensions, freight classification, pickup or delivery requirements, or other details can affect the final charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Price matters, but it shouldn\u2019t be the only consideration. Comparing carrier service, transit time, coverage, shipment requirements, and total expected cost can help you choose the option that best fits the shipment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"ltl-freight-insurance\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-freight-insurance\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">LTL freight insurance<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Even with careful packaging and handling, freight can sometimes be lost or damaged in transit. When that happens, the financial protection available to you can depend on how the shipment is covered. That makes it important to understand the difference between carrier liability and freight insurance. Although both can come into play when freight is lost or damaged, they provide different types of protection and aren\u2019t interchangeable.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-11.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943997f\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Carrier liability vs. freight insurance<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Carrier liability<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">The carrier\u2019s legal responsibility for cargo loss or damage under applicable law and the terms governing the shipment. The amount recoverable through a carrier claim isn\u2019t necessarily the same as the commercial value of the goods. Liability can be affected by carrier tariffs, contracts, commodity characteristics, shipment circumstances, and other terms.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Freight insurance<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Separate coverage governed by an insurance policy. Depending on the policy, it can provide greater protection for the value of the goods than carrier liability.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important to understand both before shipping high-value or particularly sensitive freight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af5859439ac7\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Types of freight insurance varies by insurer and policy<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">All-risk coverage<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Generally covers physical loss or damage from external causes unless specifically excluded by the policy.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-grey-lightest\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Named-perils coverage<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Covers only the causes of loss specifically identified in the policy.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither term means every possible loss is covered. Policies contain terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, and claim requirements that should be reviewed before purchasing coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-when-to-consider-ltl-freight-insurance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to consider LTL freight insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional cargo insurance may be worth considering when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The shipment has substantial value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carrier liability may not adequately protect that value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The freight is particularly susceptible to loss or damage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replacing the goods would create a significant financial impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The shipment has other characteristics that make additional protection important to your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision should be based on the value and risk associated with the individual shipment rather than an assumption that carrier liability automatically provides full-value protection. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-insurance-vs-limits-of-liability-what-is-the-difference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shipping insurance vs. carrier limits of liability<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-if-freight-is-lost-or-damaged\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">If freight is lost or damaged<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Claims procedures vary depending on whether you\u2019re pursuing a carrier cargo claim or an insurance claim, but good documentation is important in either case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"width:90%; max-width:760px; margin:24px auto;\">\n<svg width=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 760 450\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" style=\"font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\">\n<title>If freight is lost or damaged, step by step<\/title>\n<desc>A vertical timeline of six steps on a light grey background with purple numbered circles: inspect the freight, note damage on the delivery receipt, take photographs, preserve damaged goods, gather supporting documents, and follow claim procedures.<\/desc>\n\n<rect x=\"1\" y=\"1\" width=\"758\" height=\"448\" rx=\"16\" fill=\"#F8F8F8\" stroke=\"#E0E0E0\" stroke-width=\"1\"\/>\n<line x1=\"64\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"64\" y2=\"375\" stroke=\"#E4DFFC\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"50\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"51\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">1<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"50\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Inspect the freight carefully at delivery.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"118\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"119\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">2<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"112\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Note visible loss or damage on the delivery<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"134\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">receipt when appropriate.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"190\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"191\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">3<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"184\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Take photographs of the freight, packaging,<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"206\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">and relevant labels.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"258\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"259\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">4<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"258\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Preserve damaged goods and packaging as required.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"326\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"327\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">5<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"320\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Gather supporting documents such as the BOL,<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"342\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">invoice, delivery receipt, and photographs.<\/text>\n\n<circle cx=\"64\" cy=\"397\" r=\"18\" fill=\"#7C5CFA\"\/>\n<text x=\"64\" y=\"398\" text-anchor=\"middle\" dominant-baseline=\"central\" fill=\"#ffffff\" font-size=\"17\" font-weight=\"700\">6<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"391\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">Follow the applicable carrier or insurer's<\/text>\n<text x=\"110\" y=\"413\" fill=\"#0B1F3A\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"700\">claim procedures and deadlines.<\/text>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t assume the carrier claim process and an insurance claim process are identical. The requirements, coverage, and outcomes can be different.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"how-does-ltl-tracking-differ-from-parcel-tracking\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-how-does-ltl-tracking-differ-from-parcel-tracking\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">How does LTL tracking differ from parcel tracking?<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">If you\u2019re accustomed to parcel shipping, LTL tracking may look a little different. Parcel packages typically move through highly standardized networks and may receive scans at multiple points along the journey. LTL freight moves through a different transportation network, often traveling between terminals as part of consolidated loads with freight from other shippers.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-10.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Parcel tracking<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">LTL tracking<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Commonly uses a carrier tracking number<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Commonly uses a PRO number<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May include frequent scans as the package moves through the parcel network<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Tracking events may correspond to movement through terminals and the LTL carrier network<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Tracking events are often highly standardized<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Events and terminology can vary by carrier<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May show pickup, facility scans, out-for-delivery status, and delivery<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">May show pickup, terminal movement, destination terminal arrival, out-for-delivery status, and delivery<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-is-a-pro-number\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a PRO number?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LTL shipments are commonly assigned a PRO number, a carrier tracking number used to identify and track the freight. Depending on the carrier and technology you use, entering the PRO number into a tracking system can provide visibility into the shipment as it moves from pickup to delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tracking capabilities vary by carrier, so the amount, type, and terminology of the information available may differ from one LTL shipment to another.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"common-ltl-shipping-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-common-ltl-shipping-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">Common LTL shipping mistakes and how to avoid them<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Successful LTL shipping depends on more than getting freight from point A to point B. Small errors in shipment information, packaging, or planning can lead to additional charges, delays, or freight claims.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-12.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/16-parcel-and-ltl-shipping-mistakes-to-avoid\/\">common shipping mistakes<\/a> to watch for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Using inaccurate weight or dimensions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LTL pricing and freight classification can depend on shipment weight and dimensions. Measure the complete shipment, including the pallet and packaging, and use accurate shipment weight when requesting a quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Using the wrong freight classification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An incorrect freight class can affect the quoted rate and may result in reclassification and billing adjustments. Provide accurate commodity information and use current <a href=\"https:\/\/classitplus.nmfta.org\/\">NMFC information<\/a> to determine the appropriate classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Underestimating packaging requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LTL freight may be handled multiple times as it moves through terminals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-ltl-cargo-with-shipping-pallets-and-freight-packaging\/\">Appropriate packaging and pallets<\/a> can help protect freight during that journey. Secure palletized freight so it can remain stable during handling and transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leaving required services out of the quote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liftgate service, residential delivery, limited-access locations, inside delivery, and other requirements can affect the cost and handling of an LTL shipment. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-accessorial-fees-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-avoid-them\/\">Identify the additional services you need<\/a> when requesting the quote rather than waiting until pickup or delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Providing incomplete shipment information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorrect addresses, contact information, commodity descriptions, or pickup and delivery details can create problems later in the shipment. Review the information before booking and make sure the shipping documents accurately reflect the freight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Not inspecting freight at delivery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The condition of the freight at delivery can become important if a claim is necessary. Inspect the shipment for visible loss or damage, document issues on the delivery receipt when appropriate, and take photos before the freight is moved or unpacked.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"how-to-choose-an-ltl-freight-carrier\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-how-to-choose-an-ltl-freight-carrier\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">How to choose an LTL freight carrier<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">There isn't one LTL carrier that's best for every shipment. LTL freight carriers differ in their networks, pricing, capabilities, service levels, and performance. The goal is to find the right fit for the freight you\u2019re moving.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-14.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943a7c1\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>What to look at when evaluating an LTL carrier <\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-3 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Pricing<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Compare the complete expected cost, including applicable additional services.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Coverage<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Determine how well the carrier serves your origins and destinations.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Transit time<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Compare expected service based on the lane and your delivery requirements.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Capabilities<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Confirm the carrier can accommodate any specialized freight or service requirements.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Performance<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Consider pickup, delivery, communication, tracking, and claims experience.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Technology<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">Look at how easily you can quote, book, track, and manage shipments.<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right carrier may change from one shipment to another based on the lane, freight characteristics, service requirements, and other shipment-specific factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carrier size and geographic reach are also worth considering because a carrier\u2019s network can affect how well it serves a particular lane.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose padding-bottom--md\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943aa58\">\n            <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-lg\">\n                                                \n                                    <h4>Regional vs. national carriers<\/h4>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Grid Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"cards icon-left columns-2 layout-grid\">\n                                                                                <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--pin-3 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <polygon fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" points=\"59 60 5 60 4.06 58.65 13.06 34.65 14 34 18.52 34 18.52 36 14.69 36 6.44 58 57.56 58 49.31 36 45.48 36 45.48 34 50 34 50.94 34.65 59.94 58.65 59 60\"\/>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M32.7,48.72h-1.39c-.09-.09-9.26-8.96-12.74-12.42-3.59-3.57-5.57-8.33-5.57-13.38s1.98-9.8,5.57-13.38c7.41-7.37,19.46-7.37,26.87,0h0c3.59,3.57,5.57,8.32,5.57,13.38s-1.98,9.81-5.57,13.38c-3.48,3.46-12.65,12.33-12.74,12.42ZM32,6.01c-4.35,0-8.71,1.65-12.02,4.95-3.21,3.19-4.98,7.44-4.98,11.96s1.77,8.77,4.98,11.96c2.91,2.89,9.81,9.59,12.02,11.73,2.21-2.15,9.12-8.84,12.02-11.73,3.21-3.2,4.98-7.44,4.98-11.96s-1.77-8.76-4.98-11.96h0c-3.31-3.3-7.67-4.95-12.02-4.95Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <circle fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" cx=\"32\" cy=\"22.97\" r=\"6.97\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M32,30.94c-4.4,0-7.97-3.58-7.97-7.97s3.58-7.97,7.97-7.97,7.97,3.58,7.97,7.97-3.58,7.97-7.97,7.97ZM32,17c-3.29,0-5.97,2.68-5.97,5.97s2.68,5.97,5.97,5.97,5.97-2.68,5.97-5.97-2.68-5.97-5.97-5.97Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">National LTL freight carriers<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">operate across broad geographic networks and can be useful for businesses shipping across multiple regions or throughout the country<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"card card-icon card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                \n<span class=\"ss-icon ss-icon--pin-2 icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg id=\"ShipStation_-_Green_Blue\" data-name=\"ShipStation - Green Blue\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\">\n  <g>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M35.87,51.26c-2.24,2.16-3.87,3.74-3.87,3.74,0,0-1.64-1.58-3.87-3.74-4.16.57-7.13,2.03-7.13,3.74,0,2.21,4.92,4,11,4s11-1.79,11-4c0-1.71-2.97-3.17-7.13-3.74Z\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M32,60c-5.96,0-12-1.72-12-5,0-2.28,2.99-4.04,7.99-4.73l.83.27,3.18,3.07,3.18-3.07.83-.27c5,.69,7.99,2.46,7.99,4.73,0,3.28-6.04,5-12,5ZM27.79,52.32c-3.94.62-5.79,1.95-5.79,2.68,0,1.19,3.99,3,10,3s10-1.81,10-3c0-.73-1.84-2.06-5.79-2.68l-3.52,3.4h-1.39l-3.52-3.4Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n  <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-primary, #11003a)\" d=\"M32.69,55.72h-1.39c-.11-.1-10.8-10.44-14.86-14.47-4.16-4.13-6.45-9.63-6.45-15.47s2.29-11.34,6.45-15.47c8.58-8.53,22.53-8.53,31.11,0h0c4.16,4.13,6.45,9.63,6.45,15.47s-2.29,11.34-6.45,15.47c-4.06,4.03-14.75,14.37-14.86,14.47ZM32,5.91c-5.12,0-10.24,1.94-14.14,5.81-3.78,3.75-5.86,8.74-5.86,14.05s2.08,10.3,5.86,14.05c3.45,3.42,11.7,11.42,14.14,13.78,2.45-2.37,10.7-10.36,14.14-13.78,3.78-3.75,5.86-8.74,5.86-14.05s-2.08-10.3-5.86-14.05h0c-3.9-3.88-9.02-5.81-14.14-5.81Z\"\/>\n  <g>\n    <circle fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" cx=\"32\" cy=\"25.9\" r=\"8\"\/>\n    <path fill=\"var(--ss-icon-accent, #00e664)\" d=\"M32,34.9c-4.96,0-9-4.04-9-9s4.04-9,9-9,9,4.04,9,9-4.04,9-9,9ZM32,18.9c-3.86,0-7,3.14-7,7s3.14,7,7,7,7-3.14,7-7-3.14-7-7-7Z\"\/>\n  <\/g>\n<\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content h-full\">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Regional LTL freight carriers<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\"><p style=\"font-size: 17px\">concentrate their networks within specific geographic areas. That focus can make them strong options for certain lanes within their service territories<\/p><\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One type of LTL carrier isn't inherently better than the other. A business shipping from Texas to New York has different carrier needs than one moving freight between Dallas and Houston. The best option depends on the lane, service requirements, pricing, and carrier network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having access to both national and regional carriers gives shippers more ways to match a shipment with a carrier whose network fits the move.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-one-carrier-or-several\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">One carrier or several?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some businesses prefer a smaller core group of carriers because it simplifies transportation management and helps build consistency. Others benefit from having access to a broader network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Multiple carrier options can be especially valuable when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Different carriers are stronger in different regions <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pricing varies significantly by lane<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capacity becomes tight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A shipment requires specialized service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transit-time requirements change<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The important thing isn\u2019t having the largest possible carrier list. It\u2019s having enough appropriate options to match each shipment with the service it needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"the-role-of-ltl-shipping-technology\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-the-role-of-ltl-shipping-technology\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">The role of LTL shipping technology<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Managing LTL manually can quickly become complicated, particularly when you\u2019re comparing several carriers or shipping regularly. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/fulfillment\/shipping\/\">Transportation technology<\/a> can bring many of those processes together.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-auto-title-11.webp\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-does-a-tms-do\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does a TMS do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A transportation management system (TMS) helps businesses manage transportation activities through a centralized platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the system and provider, capabilities may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Comparing carrier rates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Booking shipments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating shipping documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracking freight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing shipment history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reviewing shipping data and reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting multiple transportation modes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of moving between spreadsheets, emails, carrier websites, and other disconnected systems, shippers can manage more of the process in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-how-a-tms-can-help\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How a TMS can help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bringing these capabilities into one system can reduce the manual work involved in managing LTL shipments and give shippers a clearer view of their transportation activity. With shipment information and data in one place, businesses can work more efficiently and identify patterns in carrier performance, lanes, services, and spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-row block not-prose padding-top--sm padding-bottom--sm border--both columns-2 align-center gap-xl ratio-70-30\">\n    <div class=\"content--md\">\n        <div class=\"container not-prose\">\n\n                        <div class=\"content-row__columns\">\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                                                    <h2 class=\"h4\">The 2026 Merchant Insights Report<\/h2>\n                                \n                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__body\">How 868 merchants manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second workflow that never caught up.<\/div>\n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"content-row__column content-row__column--text\">\n                                                    <div class=\"content-row__text text-align-left\">\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"content-row__cta-wrapper\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" class=\"btn\">Read the Report<\/a>\n                                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-and-parcel-advantages-of-leveraging-both-shipping-modes-with-shipstation\/\">For businesses that ship both parcel and LT<\/a>L, a platform that supports multiple transportation modes can provide another advantage. Rather than treating freight as a completely separate operation, businesses can manage parcel and LTL as parts of the same broader shipping strategy.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"working-with-a-3pl-or-shipping-partner\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section id=\"ltl-working-with-a-3pl-or-shipping-partner\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:48px;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n  <div style=\"flex:1 1 360px;min-width:0;\">\n    <h2 style=\"margin:0 0 28px;font-size:clamp(28px,3.4vw,42px);line-height:1.1;font-weight:800;color:#11003A;\">Working with a 3PL or shipping partner<\/h2>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;border-left:4px solid #5C50FF;\">Managing LTL can require carrier relationships, technology, freight expertise, and ongoing shipment support. Businesses that don\u2019t want to manage all of those resources internally may choose to work with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) or other shipping partner.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"flex:0 1 380px;min-width:0;\">\n    <!-- CHANGE: image URL and alt text -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/guide-ltl-module-15.webp\" alt=\"ALT TEXT PLACEHOLDER\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:360px;object-fit:cover;border-radius:24px;\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-can-a-3pl-or-shipping-partner-provide\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can a 3PL or shipping partner provide?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Services vary considerably by provider, but may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multiple LTL carriers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiated carrier rates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transportation technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shipment support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freight expertise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claims assistance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reporting and visibility tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consolidated transportation management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That can be especially useful for small and midsized businesses that want broader transportation capabilities without building a large logistics operation internally.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-carrier-vs-3pl\">Carrier vs. 3PL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:80%; margin:0 auto; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: 'Figtree', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">&nbsp;<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\">Working directly with carriers<\/th>\n      <th style=\"background-color: #0B1F3A; color: #ffffff; text-align: left; padding: 14px 16px; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 15px !important;\">Working with a 3PL<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Carrier access<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Establish relationships with individual carriers<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May provide access to multiple carriers through one relationship<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Rates<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Based on your individual carrier agreements<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May provide negotiated pricing based on the 3PL's carrier relationships and volume<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Technology<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Varies by carrier<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May provide a TMS or other multimodal technology<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Shipment support<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Work directly with each carrier<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May provide centralized support across carriers<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Claims assistance<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Manage claims with the applicable carrier<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Level of claims support varies by provider<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #FAFAFA;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Billing<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">May receive invoices from multiple carriers<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Some 3PLs provide consolidated billing<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important; font-weight: 600 !important;\">Best fit<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; border-right: 1px solid #e5e5e5; font-size: 15px !important;\">Businesses comfortable managing carrier relationships directly<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px !important;\">Businesses looking for additional carrier access, technology, expertise, or support<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither approach is automatically better. The right choice depends on your shipping volume, internal resources, carrier relationships, and how much of the transportation process you want to manage yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-to-look-for-in-a-shipping-partner\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to look for in a shipping partner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you choose to work with a 3PL or shipping partner, consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The size and quality of its carrier network<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether its carriers match your lanes and shipping requirements <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The technology it provides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pricing transparency <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shipment and claims support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reporting capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience working with businesses similar to yours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for other transportation modes you use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-your-shipping-partner-s-technology-matters\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why your shipping partner\u2019s technology matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technology a shipping partner provides can be just as important as its carrier relationships and freight expertise. The right platform can give you the tools to compare carrier options, book and track shipments, manage documentation, review shipping activity, and maintain visibility across your LTL operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/merchants-are-running-two-shipping-operations-and-only-optimizing-one\/\">If you ship through multiple transportation modes<\/a>, consider whether the partner\u2019s technology can support those needs as well. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/big-news-freight-is-now-native-to-shipstation\/\">A platform that brings parcel and LTL shipping together<\/a> can reduce the need to manage separate systems and give you a more connected view of your shipping activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A strong shipping partner can combine that technology with carrier access, transportation expertise, and support, giving you both the tools to manage shipments and additional help when you need it.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"rule-1\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<h2 id=\"h-ltl-freight-glossary-essential-shipping-terms-and-definitions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">LTL freight glossary: Essential shipping terms and definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LTL shipping has its own vocabulary, from freight classification and carrier networks to shipping documents and additional services. This glossary explains common terms businesses encounter when comparing rates, preparing shipments, and managing freight transportation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-a-d\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A\u2013D<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accessorial charge:<\/strong> An additional fee for services or circumstances beyond standard freight transportation. Common examples include liftgate delivery, inside delivery, residential delivery, and detention. Understanding accessorial charges helps businesses request more accurate quotes and avoid unexpected shipping expenses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bill of lading (BOL):<\/strong> A shipping document that identifies the shipper, consignee, carrier, freight description, and other transportation details. It serves as evidence of the carrier's receipt of goods and may establish contractual terms or function as a document of title, depending on the type.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Carrier:<\/strong> A transportation company responsible for physically moving freight between locations. In LTL shipping, carriers typically combine shipments from multiple customers and transport them through networks of terminals, trucks, and local delivery routes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Carrier liability:<\/strong> A carrier's legal or contractual responsibility for freight that is lost, damaged, or delayed during transportation. Liability depends on applicable laws, transportation agreements, and limitations, and it isn't the same as purchasing separate cargo insurance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Class-based pricing:<\/strong> A method of calculating LTL freight charges using a shipment's assigned freight class along with factors such as weight, origin, and destination. Freight class helps carriers account for transportation and handling characteristics when establishing rates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Concealed damage:<\/strong> Freight damage discovered after delivery that wasn't visible during the initial receiving inspection. Shippers should document the damage, preserve packaging, and notify the transportation provider promptly because claims procedures and reporting deadlines may apply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Consignee:<\/strong> The person or business designated to receive freight at its destination. The consignee may be responsible for accepting delivery, inspecting the shipment, documenting visible damage, and coordinating unloading arrangements with the carrier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Consignor:<\/strong> The person or business identified as sending or tendering goods for transportation. The consignor typically provides shipment information and may prepare packaging, labels, and shipping documents before the carrier collects the freight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Consolidation:<\/strong> The practice of combining multiple smaller shipments into a larger shipment or transportation movement. Consolidation can improve trailer utilization, reduce handling inefficiencies, and potentially lower shipping costs when shipments have compatible destinations and delivery requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cubic feet:<\/strong> A measurement of the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by freight. Calculate cubic feet by multiplying length, width, and height in feet. This measurement helps determine shipment density and evaluate trailer space requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deadhead:<\/strong> The movement of a commercial truck without a revenue-generating load, such as traveling empty between a delivery and the next pickup. Deadhead miles create operating costs and can influence transportation efficiency and carrier pricing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Density:<\/strong> A measurement of a shipment's weight relative to its volume, usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot. Density helps determine the freight class for commodities classified using density-based NMFC provisions and can influence LTL shipping costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Detention:<\/strong> A charge that may apply when a truck or driver remains at a pickup or delivery location beyond the carrier's allowed loading or unloading time. Preparing freight and coordinating receiving schedules can help reduce detention charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dock-to-dock shipping:<\/strong> Freight transportation between facilities equipped with loading docks or suitable loading equipment. Dock-to-dock shipments generally don't require liftgate service, which can simplify pickup and delivery operations and help businesses avoid certain accessorial charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-e-l\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">E\u2013L<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Exception:<\/strong> An event or condition that interrupts or changes a shipment's expected transportation process. Examples include missed pickups, delivery delays, damaged freight, or address problems. Tracking exceptions helps shippers respond before problems become more serious.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expedited freight:<\/strong> Transportation arranged to meet faster or more time-sensitive delivery requirements than standard service. Expedited options may include priority handling, dedicated transportation, or faster transit schedules, depending on the carrier and shipment requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Freight bill:<\/strong> A document showing the transportation charges associated with a shipment, including the base rate, fuel surcharge, and applicable accessorial fees. Reviewing freight bills helps businesses identify billing discrepancies and understand their actual shipping costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Freight broker:<\/strong> An intermediary that arranges transportation between shippers and authorized motor carriers without typically transporting freight using its own equipment. Freight brokers help businesses access carrier capacity, compare transportation options, and coordinate shipments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Freight class:<\/strong> A standardized classification used in pricing many LTL shipments. The NMFC system includes 18 classes ranging from 50 to 500, with classification requirements based on commodity characteristics such as density, handling, stowability, and liability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Freight forwarder:<\/strong> A transportation intermediary that arranges the movement of freight and may assume responsibility for transportation under its own operating arrangements. Freight forwarders can coordinate multiple transportation providers and services, depending on their authority and capabilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Freight lane:<\/strong> An origin-to-destination transportation pairing used to describe where freight moves. Shipping costs, carrier availability, and transit times can vary by lane because of differences in demand, capacity, distance, and network coverage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fuel surcharge:<\/strong> An additional transportation charge intended to account for fuel expenses. Carriers may calculate fuel surcharges using published indexes, percentage-based formulas, or contractual agreements, so the amount can change over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Guaranteed delivery:<\/strong> A transportation service that provides a defined delivery commitment, subject to the carrier's terms and exclusions. Some guaranteed services offer refunds or other remedies when qualifying shipments miss their committed delivery windows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Handling:<\/strong> A freight classification consideration involving how easily goods can be loaded, unloaded, and moved through a transportation network. Freight requiring unusual equipment, additional labor, or special handling may have different classification requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Inside delivery:<\/strong> An additional service in which the carrier moves freight beyond the standard exterior delivery point, subject to carrier limitations. Inside delivery may involve extra labor or equipment and typically costs more than standard dock or curbside delivery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Interline transportation:<\/strong> A shipping arrangement in which two or more carriers cooperate to move freight from origin to destination. Interlining can extend geographic coverage when a single carrier doesn't directly serve the entire transportation route.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Less-than-truckload (LTL):<\/strong> A freight shipping method that combines shipments from multiple businesses on shared trailers. LTL allows shippers to transport freight that doesn't require an entire truck while paying for transportation based on shipment characteristics and applicable rates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Liftgate:<\/strong> A mechanical platform attached to a truck that raises or lowers freight between the trailer and ground level. Liftgate service is commonly used at locations without loading docks and may involve additional charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Limited-access location:<\/strong> A pickup or delivery site with operating conditions or access restrictions that may complicate standard freight service. Examples can include schools, construction sites, storage facilities, and certain commercial properties, depending on carrier rules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Linehaul:<\/strong> The primary transportation movement of freight between terminals, cities, or geographic regions. In an LTL network, linehaul typically connects freight terminals, while separate local operations handle collection and final delivery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Linear feet:<\/strong> A measurement of the length of trailer floor space occupied by freight. Some carriers use linear feet to evaluate capacity requirements or determine whether a shipment qualifies for special pricing or additional charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-m-r\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">M\u2013R<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Minimum charge:<\/strong> The lowest transportation charge a carrier applies to a shipment under its pricing rules. Even when a shipment's calculated rate falls below this amount, the carrier may apply its established minimum charge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC):<\/strong> A standardized commodity classification system maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. The NMFC establishes classification provisions for LTL freight based on characteristics such as density, handling, stowability, and liability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NMFC item number:<\/strong> A numerical identifier assigned to a commodity or commodity group within the National Motor Freight Classification. The applicable item helps determine freight classification requirements, including whether density or other characteristics affect the assigned class.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overlength freight:<\/strong> A shipment containing an item that exceeds a carrier's established length threshold. Overlength freight may require special handling, occupy additional trailer space, or result in extra charges depending on carrier pricing rules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pallet:<\/strong> A portable platform used to support and secure freight during transportation and handling. Pallets allow forklifts and pallet jacks to move multiple packages together, helping improve loading efficiency and reduce unnecessary handling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pallet jack:<\/strong> A manually operated or powered device used to lift and move palletized freight over short distances. Pallet jacks are common in warehouses, shipping areas, and delivery locations where forklifts may not be necessary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pickup number:<\/strong> A reference number assigned by a carrier when a freight pickup is scheduled. Shippers can use this number to confirm pickup arrangements, communicate with the carrier, and identify the scheduled collection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Proof of delivery (POD):<\/strong> Documentation confirming that freight was delivered to its destination. A POD may include the delivery date, recipient's signature, and notes about shipment condition, making it useful for resolving delivery questions and claims.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PRO number:<\/strong> A unique tracking identifier assigned by an LTL carrier to a shipment. Shippers use the PRO number to check shipment status, communicate with the carrier, and reference freight during transportation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rate quote:<\/strong> An estimated transportation price based on the shipment details and services provided when requesting pricing. Final charges may differ if weight, dimensions, freight class, accessorial requirements, or other shipment information changes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reclassification:<\/strong> A change to a shipment's assigned freight class following a carrier review or inspection. Reclassification may occur when the original class doesn't match applicable NMFC requirements and can result in adjusted transportation charges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reconsignment:<\/strong> A change to a shipment's destination or consignee after transportation arrangements have been made. Carriers may approve reconsignment requests depending on shipment status, but additional charges and delivery delays can apply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Redelivery:<\/strong> An additional attempt to deliver freight after the original delivery attempt was unsuccessful. Redelivery may be necessary when the consignee is unavailable, unloading equipment is missing, or the location cannot accept the shipment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reweigh:<\/strong> A carrier's verification of a shipment's actual weight after pickup. If the measured weight differs from the weight originally declared, the carrier may adjust the freight charges based on its pricing rules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-s-z\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">S\u2013Z<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shipping mode:<\/strong> A method of transporting goods, such as parcel, less-than-truckload, full truckload, rail, air, or ocean freight. Businesses select shipping modes based on shipment size, delivery requirements, cost, and available transportation services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shipping technology:<\/strong> Software that helps businesses manage transportation activities, including comparing rates, booking shipments, generating documents, and tracking deliveries. Shipping technology can reduce manual work and improve visibility into shipping costs and performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stowability:<\/strong> A freight classification consideration describing how easily goods can be loaded and transported alongside other shipments. Freight with unusual shapes, loading restrictions, or compatibility concerns may have different classification requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Terminal:<\/strong> A freight facility where shipments are received, sorted, consolidated, transferred, or dispatched for delivery. LTL carriers use terminal networks to combine freight from multiple shippers and move shipments efficiently between regions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Third-party logistics provider (3PL):<\/strong> A company that provides outsourced logistics services for businesses. Depending on its capabilities, a 3PL may coordinate freight transportation, manage carrier relationships, provide warehousing, or support broader supply chain operations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Transit time:<\/strong> The amount of time required or expected for freight to travel from origin to destination. Standard LTL transit estimates may vary based on carrier networks, terminal operations, distance, and service conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Volume LTL:<\/strong> A transportation option for larger shipments that occupy substantial trailer space but don't necessarily require an entire truck. Volume LTL pricing is often shipment-specific and depends on carrier capacity, dimensions, weight, and route.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Weight and inspection (W&amp;I):<\/strong> A carrier process used to verify shipment details, including weight, dimensions, commodity descriptions, and freight classification. W&amp;I findings may lead to billing adjustments when the verified information differs from the original shipping documents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"ltl-freight-faqs\">\n    <div class=\"bg-grey-lightest background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-faqs block not-prose ss-hw\" style=\"--ss-hw:500;\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content--lg\">\n        <div class=\"accordion-block\">\n            <div class=\"container\">\n                    <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-full\">\n                                        \n                                            <h2>LTL freight FAQs: 20 common questions answered<\/h2>\n                                        \n                                            <div class=\"lead\">LTL shipping comes with questions about costs, delivery requirements, carrier services, and freight handling. These answers cover common situations businesses encounter when planning and managing LTL shipments. <\/div>\n                                        \n                                        \n                                    <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"accordions\">\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What is LTL freight, and how does it work?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight combines shipments from multiple businesses on shared trailers. Carriers collect freight, move it through their transportation networks, and deliver it to individual destinations. Shippers pay for transportation without reserving an entire truck. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What is the minimum weight for an LTL shipment? <\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">There's no universal minimum weight for LTL shipping. Shipments weighing approximately 150 pounds or more are often candidates, but lighter shipments may also qualify. Dimensions, packaging, carrier requirements, and total shipping costs help determine whether LTL makes sense. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can I ship LTL freight without a pallet?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Yes. Some carriers accept properly crated or otherwise packaged freight without a pallet. However, palletizing is common because it helps protect shipments and makes loading and unloading easier. Always confirm your carrier's packaging requirements before scheduling pickup. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>How far in advance should I schedule an LTL pickup? <\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Scheduling at least one business day ahead is often helpful, although some carriers offer same-day pickups. Availability depends on the carrier, location, and cutoff times. Planning ahead gives you more time to prepare freight and documentation. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What is the difference between an LTL carrier and an LTL freight forwarder?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">An LTL carrier physically transports freight using its equipment and network. An LTL freight forwarder arranges transportation with carriers and may coordinate additional logistics services. Freight brokers also arrange transportation, but their legal responsibilities and operating models can differ from those of freight forwarders. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What should I look for when comparing LTL freight services?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Compare total shipping costs, transit times, geographic coverage, tracking capabilities, and service reliability. Also consider specialized requirements, such as liftgate delivery or limited-access locations. The lowest quote isn't always the best option when delivery needs and additional charges are considered. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can LTL freight be delivered to a residential address?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Yes. Many LTL carriers offer residential delivery, although availability varies. Residential shipments may require additional fees, delivery appointments, or liftgate service. Confirm the delivery location and unloading requirements when requesting your quote. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>How do I know if my freight needs liftgate service?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Liftgate service may be necessary when the pickup or delivery location lacks a loading dock or suitable unloading equipment. A liftgate lowers freight between the truck and ground level. Confirm the shipment's weight and dimensions because liftgates have capacity limits. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can I combine several orders into one LTL shipment?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Yes. Consolidating multiple orders traveling to the same destination can reduce handling and potentially lower transportation costs. However, consolidation should account for delivery timing, freight compatibility, packaging, and whether the combined shipment is more economical than separate shipments. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Why did my final LTL freight bill exceed the original quote?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Final charges may increase because of inaccurate weight, dimensions, freight classification, or missing accessorial services. Carrier inspections can also identify discrepancies that result in billing adjustments. Comparing the final invoice against the original quote helps identify the cause. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What happens if an LTL carrier reclassifies my freight?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">The carrier may assign a different freight class after reviewing the shipment's commodity information, density, or other classification characteristics. That can change the transportation charge. Shippers can review the adjustment and dispute an incorrect classification with supporting documentation. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can an LTL shipment be expedited?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Yes. Some carriers offer expedited or guaranteed LTL freight services for time-sensitive shipments. These options may cost more and have specific service conditions. Confirm the delivery commitment and any exclusions before booking. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What happens if an LTL delivery is missed?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">The carrier may reschedule delivery, hold the freight at a terminal, or contact the consignee for instructions. Depending on the circumstances and carrier rules, redelivery or storage charges may apply. Contact the transportation provider promptly to determine the next steps. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can I change the delivery address after an LTL shipment is picked up?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Sometimes. Carriers may allow a shipment to be redirected through a service called reconsignment. Approval depends on the shipment's location, destination, and carrier policies. Additional transportation charges or delivery delays may result. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Is LTL freight insurance included automatically?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Not necessarily. Carriers generally have liability obligations subject to applicable laws, tariffs, contracts, and limitations. Separate cargo insurance provides different protection and typically must be purchased. Review coverage terms before shipping valuable or damage-sensitive goods. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>How is LTL pricing different from parcel or truckload pricing?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Parcel pricing commonly considers package weight, dimensions, destination, and service level. LTL rates depend on factors such as freight class, weight, dimensions, lane, and additional services. Truckload pricing focuses more heavily on equipment, capacity, route, and market conditions. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can I use LTL shipping for hazardous materials?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Some LTL carriers accept properly classified and prepared hazardous materials. Requirements depend on the material, applicable regulations, and carrier policies. Shippers must meet packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation requirements and confirm carrier acceptance before tendering the shipment. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>Can an LTL freight forwarder help with international shipping?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Yes. An LTL freight forwarder may coordinate domestic freight movements connected to international transportation, including shipments moving to or from ports and border facilities. International services, customs arrangements, and carrier capabilities vary by provider. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What shipping performance metrics should businesses monitor?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Useful LTL shipping KPIs include on-time pickup and delivery rates, cost per shipment, damage frequency, claims activity, and invoice accuracy. Reviewing these measurements by carrier and shipping lane can reveal opportunities to improve service and control costs. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"accordion\">\n                            <div class=\"question\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                                <h5>What&#039;s one of the biggest mistakes new LTL shippers make?<\/h5>\n                                <div class=\"icon\">\n                                    <svg class=\"span-2\" width=\"16\" height=\"17\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                                        <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5\" \/>\n                                    <\/svg>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"body-content\">\n                                <div class=\"prose\">Providing incomplete or inaccurate shipment information is a common mistake. Incorrect dimensions, weight, freight class, or delivery requirements can lead to additional charges and delays. Confirming these details before booking helps reduce avoidable problems. <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\" id=\"build-a-shipping-strategy-with-more-options\">\n    <div class=\"bg-white background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<h2 id=\"h-build-an-ltl-shipping-strategy-with-more-options\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build an LTL shipping strategy with more options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right shipping mode can change from one shipment to the next. What matters is having the options to make the right call without adding more systems, providers, or complexity to your operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/fulfillment\/shipping\/ltl-freight\/\">parcel and LTL freight in ShipStation<\/a>, you can compare rates and services, choose the right mode for each shipment, and manage more of your shipping in one place. Whether you\u2019re sending individual packages or palletized freight, you have the carrier options, technology, and support to keep shipments moving as your business grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to learn more? Log in or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/start-a-free-trial\/\">sign up for a free trial today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-banner block not-prose content-banner content-banner--pos-center content-banner--valign-middle content-banner--col-wide content-banner--h-md\">\n    <div class=\"bg-cobalt-lighter background--bleed content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content-banner__grid\">\n                <div class=\"content-banner__column content-align-center\">\n                    \n                                            <h2>Your Entire Freight Workflow in One Platform<\/h2>\n                    \n                                            <div class=\"lead\">Move pallets faster, cut shipping costs, and take total control of your freight operations.<\/div>\n                    \n                                            <div class=\"btn-group\">\n                                                                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/start-a-free-trial\/\"\n                                       target=\"_self\"\n                                       class=\"btn\">Start a Free Trial<\/a>\n                                                            \n                                                    <\/div>\n                    \n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-content-section block not-prose\">\n    <div class=\"bg-green background--full content-theme--light content--lg \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"content content-align-left items-start content-width-full\">\n                                \n                                \n                                                    <div class=\"content-section-body body-size-lead\">\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipstation-cards-v2 block not-prose\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943d337\">\n            <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/npm\/swiper@11\/swiper-bundle.min.css\" media=\"print\" onload=\"this.media='all'\" \/>\n    <noscript><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/npm\/swiper@11\/swiper-bundle.min.css\" \/><\/noscript>\n    <script defer src=\"https:\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/npm\/swiper@11\/swiper-bundle.min.js\"><\/script>\n    <script defer src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/shipshape\/blocks\/cards\/cards.js\"><\/script>\n        <div class=\" \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n                        <div class=\"content content-align-center items-center content-width-full\">\n                                                \n                                    <h3>Related Resources<\/h3>\n                                \n                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                        \n                                                <!-- Carousel Mode -->\n                    <div class=\"swiper block-cards-swiper\" id=\"block-cards-6af585943d337-swiper\" data-columns=\"3\">\n                        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/shipstation-blog-thumbail-two-shipping-operations-1.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Merchants Are Running Separate Shipping Operations for Parcel and LTL Freight<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">Here's what that divide is costing merchants\u2014and how to close it.<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/merchants-are-running-two-shipping-operations-and-only-optimizing-one\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/shipstation-blog-thumbnail-modern-shipping-is-more-than-a-parcel.png\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Modern Shipping is More Than Parcel<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">What parcel and LTL freight actually mean, why growing businesses end up needing both, and the signs it's time to add LTL freight into your shipping strategy.<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/modern-shipping-is-more-than-parcel\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ltl-freight-accessorials.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">LTL Freight Accessorial Fees<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">Learn what LTL freight accessorial fees are, explore common accessorial charges, and get practical tips to avoid unexpected shipping costs.<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/ltl-freight-accessorial-fees-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-avoid-them\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/freight-optimization.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Freight Optimization<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">How to build a smarter LTL shipping strategy<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/freight-optimization-how-to-build-a-smarter-ltl-shipping-strategy\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/shipping-mode-blog-shipstation-1.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">Choosing a Shipping Mode<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">9 times to compare parcel and LTL<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/choosing-a-shipping-mode-9-times-to-compare-parcel-and-ltl\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide card card-thumbnail card-auto  bg-white\">\n                                    \n\n\n    <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/shipstation-guide-banner-2026-merchant-insights-report-1.webp\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"card-content \">\n        <div class=\"card-text\">\n                    <!-- Standard heading\/eyebrow for all other card types -->\n            \n                                                <h3 class=\"h5\">ShipStation\u2019s 2026 Merchant Insights Report<\/h3>\n                                            \n                    <div class=\"body\">What 868 merchants told us about how they manage freight today<\/div>\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"link-btn no-underline\" \n                   href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" \n                   target=\"_self\">\n                    Learn More                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    \n                                        <div class=\"carousel-actions\" data-swiper-id=\"block-cards-6af585943d337-swiper\">\n                        <div class=\"swiper-actions\">\n                            <div class=\"btn-swiper btn-swiper--left js-prev\" data-swiper-target=\"block-cards-6af585943d337-swiper\"><\/div>\n                            <div class=\"btn-swiper btn-swiper--right js-next\" data-swiper-target=\"block-cards-6af585943d337-swiper\"><\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                            \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n                                \n                                \n                                \n                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LTL freight shipping lets businesses move oversized shipments without paying for an entire truck. This guide covers freight classification, pricing, packaging, documentation, and carrier selection to help you ship smarter and control costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":184,"featured_media":102487,"template":"","categories":[],"tags":[],"ss_product":[13805,13801],"ss_funnel_stage":[],"ss_business_type":[],"ss_industry":[],"ss_company_size":[],"ss_region":[],"ss_topic":[],"class_list":["post-101829","guides","type-guides","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is LTL Shipping? Your Guide to Less-than-Truckload Freight<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is LTL shipping? 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