WHAT IS FREIGHT?
Freight is any goods being transported in bulk from one destination to another. Usually, this transportation takes place by truck, plane, cargo ship, or train.
WHAT IS FREIGHT SHIPPING?
Freight shipping is the process by which goods (in bulk) are transported from one location to another. There are different types of freight shipping depending on factors such as size, weight, volume, expedited shipping, high value, etc.
WHAT ARE THE SHIPPING LOGISTICS OF FREIGHT SHIPPING?
- LTL – Less than truckload. This type of freight shipping is where the product being shipped takes up less space than a full truck. For LTL, the sweet spot is up to 7 pallets. Something to keep in mind is that with an LTL shipment, other items from other businesses will be transported in the same truck as your product.
- FTL – This stands for “Full Truck Load.” In this scenario, freight occupies the entire truck, and no other product will be transported with it. This is your least expensive shipping option based on the amortization of space.
- Volume – This is an option if your freight doesn’t take up the full truck but is more than 6-7 pallets worth of product.
- Designated Truck – This type of freight shipping is reserved for products or goods that the company wants to be shipped on its own. This shipping method is preferred when transporting expensive items, such as new machinery, because no other products or businesses will be placed in the same truck.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FREIGHT SHIPPING?
One of the benefits of freight shipping is that it is more cost-effective than shipping your product one-by-one. Often, freight is necessary, and most growing consumer goods businesses will need to use it to either receive or send shipments.
The growth of e-commerce has allowed for a boom in the shipping industry. Shipping companies have expanded capacity to keep pace with the ever-growing demand for expedited shipping and smaller LTL shipments.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A FREIGHT SHIPPING COMPANY
There are quite a few companies that offer freight shipping, but not all of them do it right. There are a few important factors to look for in determining who you will entrust to handle your inventory:
- Rates – Shipping can be EXPENSIVE. It’s important to use a company with aggressive shipping rates. These rates are usually determined by the volume the company ships and its relationship with the carriers.
- Customer Service – Most people think that setting up and managing a freight shipment is a simple and hands-free process. The reality is that shipments can often run into issues, such as lost or damaged goods. Often, claims need to be made, and you will want a company that can reliably navigate these problems.
- Variety – Many E-commerce businesses purchase goods from either one or multiple international or domestic sources. Your freight company will need to be able to handle international shipping by plane or boat. These goods will need to be cleared through customs before they can be authorized to arrive at your facility. Some carriers do not ship certain goods, such as CBD. While other carriers will not ship to specific facilities, such as Amazon. Your freight supplier will need to have an affordable backup to ensure your business runs smoothly.
RECAP
Knowing the basics of freight is only half the battle. As one of the premier freight and fulfillment companies in Utah, we can help you determine the best shipping method for your inventory. Whether that’s FTL, LTL, Designated truck, etc. We will do our best to ship your freight in a timely manner and at the most cost-effective rate for you.
As a full-service eCommerce and wholesale fulfillment center, we can handle your warehouse fulfillment needs. From scheduling shipments from your manufacturers to wholesale or direct-to-consumer clients. Top of Form
