With the advance in technology and globalization, the world has become more connected than ever before. Nowadays, people can sit in the comfort of their own homes and buy anything online, regardless of where the product originates or is manufactured from. If you have ever ordered something and then later received a large item at your doorstep, freight shipping has likely been involved in some way. After all, there needs to be a way to transport items or shipments from one country to the next – it just does not magically appear out of nowhere.
As such, freight shipping is integral to many e-commerce business operations, in particular when international shipping is involved.
Let’s take a look at what exactly freight shipping is, what transport options are there, and what benefits it brings.
What is freight shipping?
Freight shipping is essentially transporting large shipments of goods and cargo either domestically or internationally. Although it originally was referring to transporting goods via sea, it now includes both air and land travel. However, the packages cannot be qualified as parcel shipments – as parcels usually include smaller boxes and packages. Furthermore, parcels are often transported by carriers such as FedEx and UPS, whereas freight shipments use semi-trucks, planes, and ships. The criteria may vary depending on the carrier and freight shipping company you use, but what determines a cargo for freight shipment is if it weighs over 150 pounds or is larger than 30 inches by 30 inches by 30 inches. The commodities are then packaged and loaded onto pallets or large sturdy containers. Generally speaking, any item that needs to be transported on a pallet is considered freight.
Items that are often used in freight shipping include furniture, construction materials, cars, and large pieces of equipment. Though there are exceptions – any hazardous items such as aerosols and fireworks, valuables like jewelry, and perishables like frozen foods and meat, do not classify as freight. Instead, these products require more specialized containers when transporting them.
Types of freight shipping transport
When it comes to transporting goods, there are a few different options. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, with factors such as the type of product, the volume and amount as well as the urgency the product needs to be shipped all affecting which method is suited best. Overall, there are five types of freight shipping methods, which are: full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), partial truckload (PTL), intermodal and expedited.
Full Truckload (FTL)
Full Truckload is a kind of freight transport where one entire truck is in charge of a single shipment that solely occupies the trailer. These shipments tend to be on the larger end, usually weighing more than 15,000 pounds. Most containers can carry up to 24-26 pallets. As the goods are transported from the pickup location to the destination directly, it is comparatively faster, with packages less likely to be damaged. On the flip side, it can be also slightly more expensive.
Less-than-truckload (LTL)
Similar to FTL, this method is designed for shipments that are larger than parcels but are not big enough to require a full truckload trailer. Shipments tend to range between 150-15,000 pounds, or 1-10 pallets, which makes them a great option for smaller freight shipments. Because they do not take up the entire trailer, users end up paying less than FTL. However, as packages must share space, this method is one of the longest in terms of travel time due to additional stops. Additionally, more unloading and loading increases the risk of damage to products. Despite their slow transit times, LTL still remains a popular method for moving e-commerce inventory.
Partial truckload (PTL)
Although the concept is similar to LTL where space is split with other shippers, its sizes are typically larger in comparison. PTL usually is between 6-12 pallets, and unlike LTL, it does not have as many stops in between. This means the same truck that is going to pick up a shipment is the same truck that will deliver it. As such, PTL is faster than LTL, with less risk for damages.
Intermodal
Much as its name suggests, intermodal shipping uses multiple freight transportation methods in combination with one another, such as rail and truck, or planes and trucks. The process often begins with a container first being moved either by truck or rail, then finally back to a truck in the last stages of transportation. Due to using the railway system, intermodal transportation requires less fuel, making it more environmentally friendly and cheaper. On the flip side, it is slower and can be less reliable when one part of the supply chain breaks down.
Expedited
If time is of the essence, then expedited freight is the way to go. Often involving transporting via truck or air, this option promises faster delivery speeds compared to standard options. Trucks with expedited goods travel from pickup to delivery without any stops in between to ensure you get your items in around two days. Due to its fast delivery times, expedited freight generally remains the most expensive as a result of paying a premium for speed.
Benefits of freight shipping
Even now, freight shipping remains the most common and best way to ship and transport items around the globe. Here are a few key benefits that they provide, especially for businesses:
- Economical: Freight shipping is an incredibly cost-effective way when it comes to transport substantial amounts of goods over huge distances. Depending on the method you choose, and whether the item is time critical or not, there are several ways you can save on costs. In particular, PTL and LTL are great options for businesses on a budget.
- Delivers large items easily: Large bulky items can be cumbersome and annoying to move, especially if they have to be transported over huge distances. Moreover, regular parcel carriers or delivery companies cannot help to deliver large items, as most of them have a weight limit. This is where freight services come in – they specialize in dealing with bulk items, so you do not have to worry about them.
- Save on warehousing: Shipping a container from one location to another is one thing but finding a place to store them is another difficulty. Fortunately, most freight shipping companies will spend money on their customer’s behalf to store items in warehouses, making it a hassle-free and smooth experience.
- Transport goods safely: Shipping goods using pallets ensures they are protected from damage or theft. This is fantastic, as most businesses would not want their products getting into the wrong hands or getting broken, whilst buyers would not want to receive substandard items. Luckily, freight shipping is one of the safest ways to ship things, with items being properly locked and secured, so customers need not dwell over it.
