The Canadian LTL Shipping Guide

LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping is a cost-effective way to transport goods across Canada and North America. It’s ideal for businesses with smaller shipments that don’t require a full truckload.

At Freightcom, LTL Shipping is one of our specialties.

Whether you’re new to LTL shipping, or an experienced shipper looking for a refresher, our guide is here to help.

Discover everything you need to know about LTL shipping for Canadian businesses below.

Understanding LTL Shipping

To understand LTL shipping, it is important to know the key terms and concepts associated with it.

LTL shipping is a type of pallet shipping in which a single business or shipper uses only part of a truck’s storage capacity to transport their goods.

With LTL shipping, multiple shipments from different businesses are consolidated into one truck, reducing costs and maximizing efficiency.

As with any shipping service, LTL shipping is full of various terms that are beneficial for any shipper to be familiar with. A few of the most important among these terms are freight class, accessorial charges, and bill of lading.

Freight Class

Freight Class is a standardized shipping industry pricing classification defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. It identifies the size, value, and difficulty of transporting specific goods. The freight class is a contributing factor in how carrier’s calculate shipping charges.

Accessorial Charges

Accessorials are additional, supplemental, or special services provided to ensure the safe delivery of goods, usually charged as a flat fee. Common accessorials can include tailgate or liftgate services, residential delivery services, and limited access delivery services.

Bill of Lading

A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a document acting as a contract between the shipper and carrier acknowledging the receipt of goods for transport. The BOL describes the nature of goods, weight of goods, size/number of items, and the point of origin and intended destination of goods.

For a more comprehensive list of key shipping terms and definitions, Freightcom’s Shipping Glossary has hundreds of common terms used throughout the shipping industry.

Preparing Your Shipment

Properly preparing your shipment is crucial to ensure a smooth LTL shipping process. Here are some steps to follow when preparing your shipment:

- Package your items securely to prevent any damage during transit. Use new, undamaged boxes that offer space for appropriate packaging materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or foam inserts, but still ensure minimal room for your goods to move around.

- Label your packages and pallets clearly with the destination address, return address, contact information, and any special handling requirements. This will help carriers identify and deliver your shipments correctly. Label every face of the pallet to ensure no information is missed during the shipping journey.

- Provide accurate weight and dimension measurements for your pallet. This information is important for carriers to determine the shipping costs and allocate space on the truck. Always round up to the nearest whole number to avoid inaccuracies and potential chargebacks.

- Consolidate multiple packages into a single shipment whenever possible. This will help reduce costs and streamline the shipping process.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your shipment is ready for LTL shipping and will reach its destination safely, on time, and on budget.

Choosing the Right Carrier

Selecting the right carrier is essential for a successful LTL shipping experience. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a carrier:

Reputation and Reliability

Look for carriers with a proven track record of delivering shipments on time and in good condition. Freightcom’s carrier partners all undergo a strict vetting process and are the best in North America.

Coverage Area

Ensure that the carrier operates in the regions where you need to ship your goods. Freightcom offers unmatched coverage on more lanes through our carriers.

Pricing and Discounts

Compare rates from different carriers to find the most competitive pricing. Freightcom can help you easily compare and access discounted rates on a wide range of shipping services.

Additional Services

Consider any additional services offered by the carrier, such as liftgate services or inside delivery, if you require them. These services can easily be booked within the Freightcom platform.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a carrier that meets your specific shipping needs and provides a seamless LTL shipping experience.

Tracking Your Shipment

Tracking your shipment is important to ensure visibility and peace of mind throughout the LTL shipping process. Freightcom provides a user-friendly tracking system that allows you to monitor the status of your shipments in real time.

Once your shipment is in transit, you can easily track it using the tracking number provided by the carrier. This will enable you to stay updated on the estimated delivery date and any potential delays.

Freightcom's tracking system also allows you to access detailed information about your shipment, such as the current location, delivery status, and proof of delivery. This level of visibility ensures that you can proactively address any issues that may arise during transit.

By utilizing Freightcom's tracking system, you can have peace of mind knowing that your shipment is on its way and can make informed decisions regarding your supply chain.

Optimizing Your LTL Shipping Strategy

To optimize your LTL shipping strategy, consider the following tips:

Plan Ahead

Provide carriers with advanced notice of your shipments to secure the desired pickup and delivery dates. This helps prevent delays and ensures timely delivery.

Utilize Technology

Take advantage of Freightcom's user-friendly platform to streamline your shipping process. The platform allows you to easily compare rates, book shipments, and track packages.

Analyze Shipping Data

Regularly review your shipping data to identify areas for improvement. Look for patterns or trends that can help you optimize your shipping strategy and reduce costs.

Freightcom is the Authority on LTL for Your Business

Freightcom’s easy-to-use all-in-one shipping management platform connects businesses with the most trusted LTL and parcel carriers in the industry, offering discounted rates on a wide range of shipping services, all in the most complete shipping management platform, and for zero upfront or monthly fees.

Talk to one of our shipping experts today and see how Freightcom can help you with access the very best in shipping for less!