Less-Than-Truckload Shipping: Know The Basics (2024)

E-commerce businesses today need to find smart and affordable shipping solutions to keep up with the rising need for efficient shipping options for smaller shipments. Fortunately, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping is a great solution for this.

So, if you need to send a few pallets of products across the country, LTL is the answer. In this blog post, we’ll explain how LTL shipping works, its benefits, and what to consider when using it.

Key Takeaways

• LTL shipping is the ideal option for small to medium-sized shipments. It provides a cost-effective solution that helps save money while ensuring timely delivery.
  
  
• LTL shipping reduces the number of trucks on the road by consolidating shipments from multiple businesses. It also lowers fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to a greener supply chain.
  
  
• Proper packaging, labelling, and accurate freight classification ensure that shipments are handled safely and efficiently. It also minimizes the risk of damage and errors during transit.
  

What Is Less-Than-Truckload Shipping?

Less-than-truckload shipping is a logistics service for shipments that are too large for parcel delivery but do not require an entire truck. It allows multiple shippers to share space on the same truck, paying only for the portion they use.

For example:

Imagine you run an online furniture store and must send three pallets of chairs. You can use LTL shipping since renting an entire truck can be costly and inefficient. This way, your pallets will be loaded onto a truck with shipments from other businesses, saving you money and ensuring timely delivery.

Difference between Less-Than-Truckload and Full-Truckload Shipping

LTL shipping puts shipments from multiple online stores into a single truck, making it ideal for smaller loads that do not require a full truck. Shippers only pay for the space that their products occupy.

On the other hand, full-truckload (FTL) shipping uses a complete truck for a single shipment, making it more cost-effective for larger loads that can fit within the truck. FTL often provides shorter transportation times because the vehicle drives directly to the destination without making additional stops.

Here’s a table you can use as a reference for their features:

How Does Less Than Truckload Shipping Canada Work?

LTL shipping in Canada consolidates shipments from multiple businesses into a single truck. This process allows each shipper to pay only for the space in their goods.

Carriers collect these smaller shipments from various locations, transport them to a central terminal where they are sorted and consolidated, and then distribute them to their final destinations.

This method is cost-effective for smaller loads and ensures efficient use of transportation resources across Canada.

Why Use LTL Shipping?

In this part, we elaborated on some of the reasons why you should consider using LTL shipping for your items:

1. Competitive Shipping Costs

With LTL shipping, instead of bearing the expense of renting an entire truck, you only pay for the portion you use. This cost-efficient model is particularly beneficial for smaller shipments, helping you save money while ensuring timely delivery.

2. Flexible Shipping Options

LTL shipping offers flexible options that can adapt to various shipment sizes and schedules. Since smaller loads can be shipped without needing to fill an entire truck, LTL shipping provides a cost-effective solution for fluctuating shipping needs.

This flexibility helps e-commerce businesses manage inventory more efficiently and respond to customer demands promptly.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact

By consolidating shipments from different online stores onto a single truck, LTL reduces the number of vehicles on the road, resulting in lower fuel consumption and emissions. This efficient use of transportation resources contributes to a greener and more sustainable supply chain.

4. Access To Specialized Services

Using LTL shipping also gives you access to specialized services tailored to meet specific shipping needs. Many LTL carriers provide additional services like:

• liftgate delivery
  
  
• inside delivery
  
  
• white glove services for handling delicate or oversized items
  

These specialized services ensure that your shipments are handled with care and delivered to their destination safely and efficiently, even if they require extra attention or handling requirements.

5. Reduce Need To Warehousing

LTL shipping reduces the need for warehousing because it provides a more direct and efficient route for smaller shipments. With LTL, online businesses can send out products as they’re ready rather than wait to gather enough for a full truckload.

This minimizes the need to store excess inventory in warehouses, leading to cost savings and streamlined inventory management processes.

6. Lessen Risk of Damage

Using LTL shipping lessens the risk of shipment damage compared to other shipping methods. With LTL, your goods are typically handled less frequently as they remain on the same truck throughout the journey, reducing the chances of mishandling or damage.

Additionally, LTL carriers often provide specialized equipment and handling procedures to ensure that fragile or delicate items are transported safely. With this process, LTL shipping gives you peace of mind, knowing that your goods are in good hands.

Things To Consider For LTL Shipments

Now, that you learned why you should opt for LTL shipping, here are some of the things you need to consider when using the said shipping service:

1. Ensure Proper Packaging and Labelling

It is essential to pack your items securely and label them clearly when shipping LTL. Proper packaging helps protect your parcels from damage during transit, while clear labelling ensures they are handled correctly and reach their destination without delays and confusion.

Proper labelling also helps shippers identify your package, as LTL shipments are often consolidated with packages from various stores. This ensures that your shipment is accurately sorted, loaded, and delivered, minimizing the risk of errors or mix-ups.

2. Determine Accurate Freight Class

It’s crucial to correctly classify your freight based on its characteristics to ensure accurate pricing and proper handling during LTL shipping.

Freight class determines the freight rate based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. By accurately determining the freight class, you can avoid unexpected charges, delays, or issues with your shipment.

This step ensures a smooth and cost-effective shipping process from pickup to delivery.

3. Use Freight Management System

Using a Freight Management System when shipping LTL involves employing specialized software or platforms to streamline and optimize logistics. These systems automate tasks such as:

• Quoting
  
  
• Booking
  
  
• Tracking
  
  
• Managing paperwork
  

These help online businesses efficiently manage their LTL shipments. By using a Freight Management System, online stores can improve visibility, reduce manual errors, and track shipments in real-time.

4. Ship With LTL Shipping Carriers

When choosing this shipping option, use carriers that specialize in LTL shipping. These carriers have the infrastructure, expertise, and network to efficiently handle smaller shipments, consolidating them onto trucks with other shipments for cost-effective delivery.

By choosing LTL shipping carriers, online businesses can benefit from competitive rates, reliable service, and access to specialized LTL shipping options and features tailored to their needs.

Ship With The Best E-Commerce Shipping Provider

Your online business deserves to have a shipping partner that offers hassle-free shipping strategies, no matter the size and volume of your shipment.

Many shipping carriers in Canada offer a range of shipping options. But remember to carefully compare their features and consider the one that offers fast and reliable delivery services, flexible shipping rates, and advanced tracking capabilities.

All the features above are crucial for meeting customer expectations and providing a positive shopping experience. Additionally, the right one offers extensive networks, allowing them to reach customers across the country, which helps e-commerce businesses expand their reach and grow their online sales.

By partnering with the best e-commerce shipping provider, online stores can streamline shipping operations, reduce shipping costs, and boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Choose Stallion

Let us save your time from comparing multiple shipping carriers and go straight to Stallion.

Stallion is a shipping carrier that helps Canadian e-commerce sellers develop their business by providing complete shipping solutions. Their features are simple and easy to use, assisting even starting online businesses in building their brand and growing their market base.

By choosing Stallion’s Canada shipping service, you can take advantage of the following:

• 50% cheaper shipping costs across Canada
  
  
• Full tracking and visibility features from drop-off location to customer destination
  
  
• Faster delivery time from 2-8 business days
  

So, be among the fast-growing Canadian e-commerce sellers who are satisfied with our services by creating your account and shipping with Stallion today!

Final Thoughts

Using LTL shipping can significantly enhance the efficiency and success of your online business. By following the considerations above, you can streamline your shipping processes, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

Remember to choose a reliable shipping partner like Stallion to optimize your shipping experience and propel your e-commerce business to greater heights.

Aman Chopra

Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.