Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping lets you ship freight that is too large or heavy for standard parcel shipping without paying for an entire truck. Instead, multiple shipments from different businesses share space on the same trailer, helping reduce shipping costs.
ShipStation lets you compare freight rates, book shipments, generate shipping documents, and track freight shipments from the same platform you use to manage your parcel shipments.
With LTL shipping in ShipStation, you can:
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Compare rates from multiple freight providers.
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Book and manage freight shipments alongside parcel shipments.
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Keep freight documents and shipment tracking in one place.
LTL shipping is a good option when your shipment:
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Weighs more than a typical parcel shipment.
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Ships on one or more pallets, crates, or other handling units.
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Doesn’t require an entire truck.
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Needs freight services such as scheduled pickup or liftgate delivery.
If your shipment is small enough to ship in standard packages, parcel shipping is typically the better option.
LTL shipping follows a standard freight process from quote to delivery. After you create a shipment, the carrier coordinates pickup, transports the freight through its network, and completes delivery.
Get a Quote → Create a Shipment → Schedule Pickup → Transport Shipment → Deliver Shipment
Once you create a shipment, the provider schedules pickup, transports the shipment through its freight network, and delivers it to its destination.
To create and manage an LTL shipment in ShipStation:
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Connect a supported freight provider account
Worldwide Express (WWEX) and Unishippers are currently the only supported freight providers for LTL shipments.
Connect your WWEX or Unishippers account before creating LTL shipments.
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Enter your shipment details
Provide the shipment information needed to receive freight quotes.
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Compare available freight rates
Review rates and available services from supported providers.
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Book your shipment
Confirm your shipment and generate the required shipping documents, including the Bill of Lading (BOL).
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Track your shipment
Monitor shipment status and access shipping documents throughout the shipping process.
After you create a shipment, the provider manages pickup, transportation, and delivery while ShipStation provides access to shipment status and shipping documents.
ShipStation currently supports the following freight providers:
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Worldwide Express (WWEX)
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Unishippers
Note: Additional freight providers may be supported in future releases.
After booking a shipment, ShipStation provides access to the documents needed to prepare and manage your freight shipment.
Depending on the shipment, available documents may include:
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Bill of Lading (BOL)
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Rate Quote
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Packing List
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Pallet Labels
Understanding common LTL shipping terms can help you prepare shipments and navigate the freight shipping process.
|
Description |
|
|---|---|
|
Bill of Lading (BOL) |
A shipping document that includes shipment details and serves as the contract between the shipper and the carrier. |
|
Freight Class |
A standardized classification used to help determine shipping rates |
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Handling Unit |
A pallet, crate, skid, or other physical unit that contains freight. |
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Commodity |
The type of goods or products being shipped. |
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NMFC Code |
A National Motor Freight Classification Code that identifies the type of commodity being shipped. |
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Accessorial |
An additional freight service, such as liftgate pickup, inside delivery, or appointment delivery. |
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PRO number |
A carrier-assigned identification number used to track an LTL freight shipment. |
In North America, freight is assigned one of 18 freight classes, ranging from Class 50 to Class 500. Freight class is determined by factors such as:
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Density
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Dimensions
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Ease of handling
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Value
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Liability
If you’re unsure of your shipment’s freight class, contact your provider.
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system categorizes Commodities Shipped by LTL carriers.
Each commodity is assigned an NMFC code, which works with the shipment’s freight class to help determine shipping rates and handling requirements.
If you don’t know your shipment’s NMFC code, contact your freight provider.