LTL Shipping - What are the common mistakes when shipping LTL

1. LTL Shipping: What are the common mistakes when shipping LTL? There is no denying the fact that Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is the most efficient ways of transporting cargo when you cannot justify the cost of a full truckload (unless you have enough volume for pool distribution). But there are certain challenges that shippers need to overcome in order to avail the maximum benefits of LTL. Shippers need to understand the mistakes that may happen in case of LTL shipping and take actions accordingly to keep the cost down and foster productivity. We have mentioned some of the common LTL mistakes below: 1.Improper packaging When it comes to cargo packaging, remember that your shipment is as good as the medium you pack it in; pack the goods well and they will reach the destination intact and vice versa. When in transit, the goods move a lot and are prone to damage which is why you need to ensure that there’s enough protection for all your items, be it a fragile item or any large load. For example, you may need to band your pallets or put pallet protectors on the four corners of the pallets, just plain stretch wrap may not be enough. 2.Avoiding cargo insurance to minimize shipping costs Spending on insurance may seem like an unnecessary expenditure to you, but think about the cost of replacing all your freight if there is a natural disaster, theft, or when the truck overturns; you will end up spending a lot more money as compared to insuring it against potential disaster. 3.Classifying freight incorrectly With the number of classification codes available, chances are that the shipper may get confused and use the wrong NMFC code, the wrong class, or inaccurate weight and/or dimensions which may lead to a host of problems such as inaccurate quotes, raised shipping costs, reclassification fees and most importantly, damaged shipments caused by mishandled goods.

2. Identifying the right NMFC code is not just important for protecting the shipment, but also for saving money. 4.Shipping without pallets It is imperative to secure your freight on pallets, without which there is a risk of your goods moving around the back of the truck or van and more importantly, getting lost. Palletizing the goods can help avoid loss or damage. Avoid shipping loose cartons with an LTL carrier, but for local cartage (e.g. shipping with a local cartage carrier in the same general area) it is acceptable to ship loose cartons. 5.Misplacing the Bill of Lading (BOL) The BOL is the single most important document of any domestic road shipment. It contains all the information that is needed to pass between the shipper (consignor), the carrier and the receiver (consignee). Missing or incorrect information on the BOL can cause a lot of trouble such as a delay in the delivery, misbilling, or misclassification. 6.Not hiring the right freight broker While all other points are important, this is the most important one; hiring the right freight broker. With an experienced and licensed freight broker by your side, you can focus on your business as the freight broker will oversee the logistics and will make sure that the goods are safe, well looked after and delivered correctly. These were some of the common LTL mistakes and now that you know these, you will be able to manage the LTL shipping better.