Freight is the shipment of large quantities of commodities by road, rail, ship, or air. Freight shipping is an essential aspect of the operations of many eCommerce businesses, especially when international shipping is involved.
This article will discuss what constitutes freight, the various freight shipping techniques, how freight shipping works, and much more.
What exactly is freight shipping?
Freight shipping is the transportation of big quantities of products across the country or around the world by air, land, or sea. The goods are put into pallets or into large, strong containers before being transported by one or more means of transportation.
What constitutes a freight shipment?
Freight is defined as any shipment that is greater than 30 inches by 30 inches by 30 inches or weighs more than 150 pounds. Shipments under this size are often less expensive to transport via parcel.
Freight delivery cargoes might be palletized or floor-loaded onto a truck. Floor-loaded vehicles must be unloaded by hand, whereas palletized cargo can be readily loaded and unloaded with a dock or forklift.
A normal truck has a capacity of 26 pallets. A pallet is typically 48 inches broad by 40 inches long, with a maximum height of 80 inches. A double-stacked pallet is any pallet that is taller than 48 inches.
Typically, truck beds and containers are four feet off the ground. In order to load/unload the truck, warehouses are equipped with an elevated dock.
- If the warehouse and storage facility lacks a dock, an alternative method is to load and unload the truck with a forklift or loading equipment.
- If a pickup/drop-off location lacks a dock or forklift, a truck with a lift gate can be reserved for an extra fee.
5 modes of freight transportation
Full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), partial truckload (PTL), intermodal, and expedited are the five freight shipping methods available. The distinctions between them are explained below:
1. Full truckload (FTL)
A whole container is available for inventory transportation. Full truckload shipments can be transported by road or rail. Most FTL containers have a capacity of 24 to 26 pallets. FTL shipments are those that travel directly from the pickup place to the destination (e.g., from the manufacturer to a fulfillment center).
2. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
A less-than-truckload (LTL) cargo has one to six pallets. The most prevalent approach is LTL freight shipments. Ecommerce inventory is frequently shifted onto different vehicles on the way to its destination in LTL freight delivery.
3. Partial truckload (PTL)
A partial truckload (PTL) shipment consists of 6 to 12 pallets. Once the merchandise is placed onto the vehicle for PTL shipments, the likelihood of the inventory being switched to a different truck throughout the route is low.
4. Intermodal
Intermodal transportation is often a combination of rail and truck, but it can also include a combination of rail, trucks, and ships. One advantage of using rail as a freight shipping method is that it can minimize fuel consumption and shipping expenses.
5. Expedited
Expedited freight is utilized for time-sensitive items and is frequently delivered by truck and air. Expedited freight shipment is the most expensive of all freight delivery options.
How to Obtain Freight Shipping Estimates
You should seek and compare estimates from different freight service providers before committing to a freight shipping partner. Different providers may seek different information in order to offer you an accurate price, but in general, you should be prepared to submit the following:
- Name of the company
- Contact details (email/phone/business address)
- Cargo expiration date
- Address of the supplier/origin
- Address of destination
- Mode of transport (ground/air/ocean/etc.)
- Package design (pallets, boxes, or crates)
- The shipment’s dimensions (length, width, height)
- Shipment weight in kilos and pounds
- Count of containers
- The shipment’s value
A multitude of factors influence quotes, including mode of transportation, delivery distance, shipment size and weight, and others. Precise quotes will vary per firm, but in general, the larger and heavier the package, the farther it travels, and the more difficult it is to send, the more expensive it will be.
Freight prices are particularly erratic, with some of the highest quotes seen since the outbreak. For example, the graph below from Freightos’ index illustrates how much quotes changed over a three-month period for a China/East Asia to North America West Coast route (from USD $15,764 in mid-April 2022 to USD $7,409 in mid-July 2022).
There are dozens of freight providers out there, but only a few stand out from the crowd. Here is a list of our best freight providers, along with estimated quotes.
It should be noted that freight shipping quotes are sometimes unpredictable and can even alter from day to day. As a result, we recommend contacting each provider for a prompt quote.
How do I choose a freight shipping company?
While pricing is crucial, there are other factors to consider when selecting a freight service provider. You may require specific services or capabilities in your freight shipping solution depending on what you’re shipping. Checking to see if a supplier offers these services or can accommodate your needs before signing on will save you time and money in the long run, and will greatly simplify the freight process.
When evaluating various freight partners, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Transportation – What mode of freight transportation are you planning to use? Will you make use of more than one mode? Choose a freight partner who excels in the types of transportation on which you will rely the most.
- Origins and destinations – Where will you be sending most frequently? Choosing a partner who can ship to and from your locations easily and economically. If you need to bring inventory in from or send it overseas, double-check that your partner can handle international freight shipments.
- Special handling – Certain products (such as hazardous materials or perishables) will incur additional shipping fees and charges, as well as unusual delivery restrictions. Ensure that you
- r freight supplier is aware of all specifications and that the proper procedures are in place.
- Technology – To avoid dealing with a freight supplier that has clumsy or obsolete technology or operational procedures, inquire about the capabilities of their software.
How to Get Ready for a Freight Shipment
Freight shipping preparations differ from those of a conventional parcel shipment. Here are a few critical points to consider to guarantee that your freight shipment is shipped, handled, and received as securely and accurately as possible.
Make appropriate-sized pallets.
Pallets are used to consolidate supplies and facilitate mobility. A high-quality pallet should be composed of wood or plastic and weigh between 20 and 70 pounds. When selecting a pallet, ensure that it is strong enough to handle the load and large enough to avoid overhang, which can cause damage.
Design non-palletized shipments
If you are not utilizing a pallet, prepare proper shipping containers, crates, or corrugated boxes that are strong enough to handle the package’s weight. Remove previous shipping barcodes and labels if you’re reusing containers to reduce the chance of items being transported to the wrong destination. Many major carriers advise against recycling boxes for freight transportation, but if you must, inspect them for any holes or tears before utilizing them.
Use dunnage on all sides of the container to secure things and reinforce edges to prevent bending. Close all gaps and seams with stronger tape.
Attach the required labels.
Depending on the specifics of your shipment, you may need to attach labels and documentation on pallets before shipping them.
On each side of a standard freight pallet, there should be visible labeling with a phone number and the shipper’s address, as well as a packing list and bill of lading (BOL). A commercial invoice and a certificate of origin are also required for international freight (although these are often sent electronically).
If you work with a 3PL, your partner may have special freight labeling requirements. For example, Get Loaded and Rolling requires customers to complete a WRO process and attach the WRO to the cargo (or, if cross-docking, attach one WRO for the cross-dock location and another for the end destination).
Observe the freight carrier’s guidelines.
Every freight company will have its own set of guidelines for preparing for pickup. Some cargo pickups do necessitate prior authorization. For a stress-free pickup, thoroughly read the instructions provided by your freight company.
The Situation Of The Freight Transportation Industry In 2022
COVID-19’s aftershocks were still reverberating through the global supply chain in 2022, feeding the ongoing supply chain crisis.
Consumer demand began to fall in 2021 and continued to cool in 2022, particularly as inflation and interest rates rose. With the coming American recession on the horizon, consumers are beginning to cut down on their spending, which will almost certainly lead freight volumes to fall and even bring in a new freight slump.
This past year was likewise filled with worldwide problems for freight companies. A COVID outbreak forced a lockdown in Shanghai, resulting in a 20-30% decline in export volumes and a temporary surge in air freight rates, while geopolitical problems in Europe drove up oil and gas prices. As a result, many freight companies have had to pass on fuel surcharges to their clients, which, if sustained, might contribute to future declines in freight volumes.
What’s the good news? While freight prices remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, they appear to be leveling down. However, costs can vary depending on the mode of transportation and route. As of the end of June 2022, Asia-US ocean freight prices to both coasts had declined by more than 13% year on year, but Europe-US East Coast rates were 42% higher.
With more factors expected to influence freight volumes and pricing in 2022 and 2023 (such as new COVID variations or a deepening of the Russo-Ukrainian war), freight companies should brace themselves for the difficulties ahead.
What role does freight play in eCommerce order fulfillment?
When collaborating with a 3PL for order fulfillment, eCommerce businesses deliver merchandise to the 3PL’s fulfillment centers using freight shipping. Many logistic service providers assist their clients in booking freight shipments with third-party providers, as well as guiding them through the essential shipping and receiving processes and freight shipping rates to guarantee that inventory arrives safely at the fulfillment center.
Get Loaded and Rolling, for example, works with eCommerce companies of all sizes who want to outsource their inventory receiving and storage, as well as order fulfillment and shipping logistics. You may arrange your freight shipment and disperse your inventory across dozens of Get Loaded and Rolling fulfillment centers with the help of Get Loaded and Rolling’s warehouse workers, who will pick, pack, and dispatch your DTC and B2B orders for you.
How Get Loaded and Rolling assist e-commerce enterprises with freight management?
Get Loaded and Rolling can assist you if you are having difficulty navigating the complexities of freight (particularly in the current supply chain crises). Get Loaded and Rolling streamlines the freight shipping and inventory receipt processes for eCommerce firms by integrating with key freight service providers.
Get Loaded and Rolling’s managed freight program FreightBob, in particular, is meant to assist you in avoiding port congestion and supply chain obstructions, reducing time-in-transit, and strategically distributing your product.
This program, powered by Flexport, loads inventory onto guaranteed weekly sailings from China to reduce transit time to 15-30 days, keeping your freight shipments predictable and your customers satisfied. Get Loaded and Rolling merchants may stock inventory faster thanks to dedicated containers and priority dock space at Get Loaded and Rolling fulfillment centers, and we’ll even help you distribute your merchandise strategically across the US.
If you’re interested in learning more about shipping with Get Loaded and Rolling, now is the best time to get started. Sign up with Get Loaded and Rolling today.
