Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is supposed to be the cheapest way of shipping limited items.
But if affordable shipping is your goal, getting the best LTL quote might be very challenging. For instance, one carrier may quote a price that’s too good to be true, and another can offer a rate that’s nearly double.
Finally, you decide to book a shipment that seems like a fair price, only to get the final bill full of hidden fees.
But here’s the thing! You don’t always have to be at the mercy of unpredictable freight charges.
You can take control and save money with some smart strategies!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to get accurate quotes and avoid overpaying to lock in the best LTL Quotes.
Let’s get started.
What Factors Affect the Cost of an LTL Freight Quote?
Before you start saving money, you need to understand what actually determines your shipping costs.
According to us, the main things that impact your quote are:
1. The Category of Your Shipment
The freight class is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of your shipment.
The NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) system assigns a class (from 50 to 500) to categorize shipments based on handling, difficulty, stowability and liability.
Therefore, choosing the wrong class can lead you to pay reclassification fees. That means you’ll have to pay more than you expected.
2. Weight and Dimensions
Size is a critical factor that affects the cost of your shipment. An LTL carrier typically charges you based on the weight and space that your shipment takes up.
For instance, a well-packed pallet that maximizes space is often cheaper than a bulky, oddly shaped load. In short, if your shipment is mismeasured, you could face extra shipping fees.
3. Shipping Distance
The farther your shipment travels, the more you’ll pay. However, some regional carriers may offer better rates for shorter routes.
Moreover, different carriers offer different rates. Thus, if you choose the right carrier you can save a lot of money on your LTL quote.
4. Extra or Hidden Fees
LTL shipping is designed for dock to dock shipments. You’ll likely have to pay extra if your shipment requires a liftgate, residential pickups, or any special deliveries.
We would recommend that you request these services upfront, otherwise higher last-minute rates may get added to your final quote by your carrier.
How Can You Get the Best LTL Quotes?
Now that you know what affects the pricing, let’s see how you can lower your shipping costs and get the best quotes:
1. Choose the Right Freight Class and Pack Smart
Your freight class and packing play a big role in pricing. You should:
- Double check your freight class
- Use stackable pallets
- Properly secure and label your shipment
This is important because carriers reclassify your shipments if they do not match the quoted price. Additionally, improper packaging may damage your shipment, leading to extra costs.
2. Consolidate Shipments Whenever Possible
Every shipment comes with handling and processing fees.
That means: Fewer Shipments = Higher Costs.
For smaller loads, we recommend that you combine them into fewer, larger shipments. Plus, LTL carriers often provide volume discounts for bigger shipments. Therefore, one large shipment may be cheaper than multiple smaller ones.
3. Book Early and Be Flexible
Last-minute shipments mean premium pricing. Since shipping schedules fluctuate, we recommend you book early and lock in for better pricing. Plus, waiting too long can also mean you have to pay higher rates.
4. Compare Carriers and Use Freight Marketplaces
One of the best ways to get an affordable LTL quote is to compare multiple quotes on a shipping marketplace. This will help you understand the average price of LTL shipping.
However, we also recommend that you don’t just choose the carrier that offers the lowest quote.
Rather, in our experience, the best way to get an affordable quote is to choose a carrier that covers all the services you need at the most affordable cost.
How to Avoid Hidden Fees on LTL Shipments?
Unexpected fees can quickly add up, even if you received a great initial quote. Here are a few tips to help you avoid paying unexpected fees:
- Be accurate with weight and dimension of your LTL shipment
- Understand what accessory services you require
- Check the carrier’s shipping policies beforehand
To avoid hidden fees, we also recommend double-checking everything before booking your shipment to avoid any surprises.
Common Pitfall You Must Avoid
Even with a low base rate and proper planning, there could be some details you might miss. To avoid the same, we have a list of a few common pitfalls:
- Do not guess the size of your shipment.
- Misclassifying your shipment could mean paying more than you need to.
- Picking the cheapest carrier might not be the best choice, we suggest comparing multiple options.
- Not reading carrier policies may lead to last-minute add-ons.
If you want an easy way to compare quotes and find the best LTL shipping carriers, we recommend exploring a shipping marketplace.
It can help you get multiple quotes, compare vetted carriers, and choose the ideal carrier for your shipment!
Happy Shipping!
