With the e-commerce industry booming in modern times, the global economy and online businesses heavily rely on freight shipping to get their goods transported from one location to another. However, understanding freight shipping thoroughly and choosing a freight shipping company that matches your needs is highly important for any new business in this industry.
If you’re an e-commerce business that has recently decided to ship on a bigger scale, then we’re sure you’d be looking into learning more about freight shipping. If that is the case, then this article has you covered.
What is Freight Shipping?
Any shipment over 150 lbs. is considered freight. Hence, freight shipment refers to the transportation of large shipments, either domestically or across the seas, via air, land, or sea. The freight goods are packed and loaded on large, sturdy containers or pallets and are then transported around using one or more modes of transportation.
Types of Freight Shipping
Now that you understand what freight shipment is, the next aspect that you should consider is the numerous types it has. Yes! Although a generic term, freight shipment encompasses a wide range of types, each tailored to a business’s specific needs for shipment. Here are some of the most common types:
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
This form of shipment is generally a good pick for smaller shipments ranging from 150 to 15’000 pounds. As indicated by its name, the LTL is a form of shipment that has a space coverage less than a truckload, which means that it won’t take up an entire container.
Hence, such shipments can share space with other business shipments, which can be friendly on the pocket. However, while cheaper, what should be remembered is that these shipments are generally slower because of the additional stops and the loading and unloading of goods. This can increase the risk of damage.
Full Truckload
Any shipment larger than LTL or weighing over 15,000 pounds falls under the Full Truckload category. The goods you are shipping will travel faster with a full truckload because the entire container is yours and will not have to make any additional stops or go through any unloading. This ultimately means that the goods are less likely to be damaged, though the cost might be higher than LTL.
Partial Truckload
Although it may appear similar to LTL, partial truckload has distinct aspects that set it apart. While this form of shipment does share space with other business goods, the shipment itself is usually larger than an average LTL shipment. This means that only a few companies share space, which not only reduces the number of stops in comparison to LTL but also ensures better handling.
Sea Transport
While all modes of transportation are conducted through trucks, sea transport is another great form of freight shipment. In fact, sea transport is one of the most popular and chosen forms of shipment because of its low price and the longer route coverage.
Air Freight
Next up on the list of types of freight shipping is air freight. The best thing about air freight is that it is fast and reliable, allowing your goods to be shipped across oceans in no time. However, while it does save you time, it also costs a lot of money, making it one of the most expensive freight shipping types on our list. Hence, companies usually reserve air freight for times when they have to rush in orders or the orders are small and won’t be pricey for them.
Rail Freight
If you aren’t on a tight schedule for delivery, then rail freight is yet another cost-effective option for you to pick. Typically, rail freight is used to transport goods from ports to a location closer to their final destination, before being transferred to trucks for the final leg. This mode of transportation can effectively be used to move large and heavy goods quickly without having to pay a hefty sum.
Freight Shipping Process: Step-by-Step
- Once you have chosen the freight shipping type through which you would like to deliver your products, the next aspect is to understand the overall freight shipping process and how it works. Here is a step-by-step instruction on it for you:
- Prepare all documents required for the shipment of your goods, including those that your carrier must review.
- Now, choose a pallet or crate of the ideal size to send your shipment in safely without any substantial damage.
- Always ensure to check your goods thoroughly before loading them for cargo and make any necessary replacements if needed. If there is minor damage, please note it on your end. All this helps you keep track of any damage caused by the shipper.
- If you are using a pallet, then ensure that you stack all boxes or goods vertically in a consistent order to ensure nothing hangs over the edge. If not a pallet, then ensure to carefully load everything in a box or crate and use protective padding where required. Use straps and bands to secure all contents within the container.
- Ensure that you create proper labels with all the contents within the shipment and the destination address to which they have to be shipped. These labels could include barcodes or any other identifier that will be attached to them during shipment.
- Move the packed shipment to an area where the carrier can easily pick it up. Ensure to take pictures of the pallet or package to keep as proof in case something goes wrong during shipment.
Freight Shipping Costs: What You Need to Know
The cost of the freight shipment depends on a few factors. Below are a few variables that play a significant role in impacting the price of your shipment:
Distance: This is an obvious factor. The total distance that your package needs to travel generally impacts the price charged for the shipment.
Timing: Choosing a high-priority, rushed shipment will incur a higher cost than slower shipments that take longer to reach their destination.
Mode of Transport: As we mentioned earlier, the transportation mode plays a significant factor in cost. Air freight is expensive, while ocean freight is generally the cheapest option.
Weight and Size: These are two other factors that also impact the cost of freight shipping. The larger the size or weight, the more likely your cost would be.
Time of the Year: Yes! This is also a factor that goes into deciding your freight shipping cost. Whether it’s hocking seas or blizzard-covered roads, weather-related issues during certain times of the year will impact your shipping costs.
Lastly, your freight provider will determine your freight shipping cost. You can search and get an estimated cost for freight shipping from multiple carriers who offer the services that you are looking for. Compare the price of all shipping providers and then choose the one that suits your budget best.
How to Choose the Right Freight Shipping Partner?
The freight partner you choose for your freight shipping is one of the most important aspects of your overall shipping journey. Why is that? Well, a quality partner would ensure that your goods reach the destination on time, without damage, and at the best price possible. However, the question is, how will you choose the right freight shipping partner for your business? Here are some factors that will help you with it:
Budget-Friendly
Ensure to check the price each carrier quotes. The market is diverse, and every carrier will quote a price that is somewhat similar but slightly different from its competitors
Carrier Network
Another important factor to look into while choosing a freight shipping partner is how skilled the carrier is and their access to capacity. Always choose carriers that have a wide array of networks.
Customer Service
It is important to read reviews and understand the customer service of the carrier you are choosing. Any good company will care about its customers and prospects, guiding you through any queries. Moreover, they will offer timely and safe shipment.
Industry Experience
Any company operating in a saturated and competitive market for years is bound to hold industry experience compared to a newbie in this field. So, if the goods you are shipping are worth a lot of money, we highly recommend going for a company with commendable industry experience.
How NextSmartShip Makes Freight Shipping Easier?
While there are many amazing shipping businesses in the industry, when it comes to naming one, we will always recommend NextSmartShip. The company simplifies freight shipping by offering its customers an all-in-one logistics solution perfect for any e-commerce business. From warehousing to inventory management and then picking, packing, and delivering internationally, this carrier has it all covered.
The service utilizes global fulfillment centers and collaborates with major carriers to provide faster shipments at reasonable rates. The platform is straightforward to use, enabling real-time order tracking and inventory management. This company is one of the best decisions that you can make for your cross-border shipments, and we assure you that you won’t have to worry about the freight logistics problem anymore.
FAQs
It typically estimates around 1-3 days for early delivery, 5-10 days on average, and 20-45 days for slow delivery, depending on the mode of transportation.
Shipping is a term that refers to the activity of carrying goods, while shipment denotes the quantity of goods sent or the act of transporting them.
The shipper is responsible for the goods and pays the costs linked to the transportation.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about freight shipping, its types, and how to choose the best carrier, we hope this article was helpful. If you’re looking for the best carrier for your services, we highly recommend considering NextSmartShip.
