If you’re planning to transport goods using a freight shipping service, it’s good to know whether your items will be sharing space in a truck or lorry with those of other customers.
Should your consignment be deemed a Full Truckload (FTL), it will not share a vehicle with any other shipments and will be sent directly to your specified destination.
If it is Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), it will be loaded into a truck or lorry with products being shipped by other customers - and the freight company will deliver it as part of a schedule.
In this article, we’ll explain a little more about consignments that constitute less than a truckload, discuss how they are treated differently from FTL loads and reveal a little more about shipment sizes.
Is my freight Less-Than-Truckload?
Usually, a shipment of items that is deemed less than a truckload contains between 1 and 6 pallets. Most freight companies specify the pallet dimensions they’ll accept, and this may differ depending on the territories to which your products will be transported.
If in doubt, it’s worth noting that the standard size of pallet that is generally accepted for shipments within the UK and Europe measures 1200 x 120mm, though other commonly used dimensions include 1000mm x 1200mm and 1067mm x 1067mm.
Weight also helps to determine whether your consignment constitutes a full truckload (FTL) or should be combined with other shipments.
Many freight companies prefer the weight of an LTL shipment to come in at no more than 2,500 kg, although minimum and maximum weights may vary depending on the firm you use.
Why should I check whether my pallets make up less than a truckload?
If the number of pallets you are sending constitutes less than a truckload, it is very probable that a freight company will combine it with a number of other smaller shipments and transport them together in a single vehicle.
This is likely to cost less, as the price of shipment will be divided between customers, but it will probably take longer for the consignment to reach its destination - as numerous stops will be scheduled so that the other items in the vehicle can be delivered.
The contents of the vehicle will also be unloaded at every stop so that the correct items can be transferred, which results in a higher likelihood of damage.
If you send a full truckload, your items will not be unloaded until they reach their destination, and the process will usually be quicker.
Freight pricing
The rate you pay to ship your products usually depends on the freight company you choose - along with a number of other factors, the most significant of which we will explain below.
LTL vs FTL rates
If your consignments constitute a full truckload, you will pay more to ship them as the costs will not be divided between multiple customers as LTL loads are.
Spot rates and contracts
If you are sending a one-off shipment, you’ll pay what is known as a “spot rate”. However, if you’re planning to use the same freight company for multiple consignments, you’ll be able to negotiate a contract rate.
The state of the market heavily affects freight costs, so the amounts you’ll pay to ship goods will vary depending on when they are sent.
Spot rates are more volatile, as they’re calculated based on immediate circumstances. If you choose a contract, however, the company you use will work to keep costs a little more stable.
Shipment types
You’ll also pay different amounts depending on the type of products you are sending. For example, there are different rates for refrigerated goods, medicines and chemicals, as they require specialist vehicles and equipment to transport - and may come with significant risks.
Destinations
If your consignment is to be carried over certain borders or into another trade zone, you’ll probably be required to pay a freight company a little more.
This is because the transportation process becomes more complicated as different jurisdictions become involved - plus, it’s likely that the vehicles used will accrue more wear and tear than if the products were being delivered to a closer location.
To sum up - by sending LTL consignments (usually 6 pallets or less), you’ll save on costs - but the time it will take for your goods to reach their destination will usually be greater than they would be if you shipped a full truckload.
An LTL consignment is also at a greater risk of damage if you do not use sufficient protective packaging, due to the amount of unloading and reloading that is undertaken at different locations.
