Logistics is an important part of every business that needs to meet its customers' needs at the right time. Every product, no matter how small or big, is transported from manufacturing units to the final destination. This entire process involves many steps, and freight shipping is one of them.
The term "freight shipping" is basically the backbone of how big, heavy, oversized, or bulk items are transported from one place to another. From the couch at your friend’s apartment to the produce in your local supermarket, almost everything large around is shipped through some kind of freight system.
What Exactly Is Freight Shipping?
In the simplest terms, freight shipping is the transportation of goods that are too large, too heavy, or too bulky to be sent through regular parcel companies. If something can’t be put into the back of a small delivery van, it usually qualifies as freight.
Examples of these include the following:
- Pallets stacked with boxes
- Crates full of equipment
- Furniture
- Heavy machinery
- Vehicles
- Construction materials
- Bulk commercial products
Freight shipments are usually loaded onto trucks, ships, planes, or trains, depending on the distance, urgency, and cost.
Different Freight Shipping Options
Shipping freight can feel confusing until you realize there are many ways to move your products. Each option has its own unique method: some are slower, some are faster, and some are affordable.
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
LTL is what people use when they don’t have enough freight to take up a whole truck. Your freight is shipped along with other packages. Although this option is more affordable, the trucks often stop more to pick up other freight and also take a bit longer to get where they are going. However, it is usually the smartest choice if you are not in a hurry.
FTL (Full Truckload)
FTL is when the whole truck is yours, whether you fill it or not. Your freight gets loaded once and stays like that until it reaches its final destination. Also, there is no swapping or transferring, making the trip faster and less stressful. This option is great for larger shipments or fragile products that need faster delivery.
Expedited Freight
This is the fastest option if you want your freight to be delivered quickly. Trucks also take the fastest route, but it often costs more.
Ocean and Air Freight
For international shipping, it usually comes down to two choices: ocean or air.
- Ocean freight is a budget-friendly shipping option. It is often slower compared to other ways, but it gets the job done without emptying your pocket.
- Air freight is the opposite. It’s fast, sometimes incredibly fast, but the price is very high. It is perfect for urgent shipments or anything valuable that you don’t want to be on a ship for weeks.
Rail Freight
Rail is used for shipping huge amounts of heavy loads like lumber, grain, steel, or machinery. Although not as flexible as trucks, they’re dependable, efficient, and built for distance.
The Benefits of Freight Delivery and Shipping
Freight shippers have all the right equipment and experience needed to move your cargo safely from one place to another. Some of their benefits include the following:
Reliable Shipping
When you book a freight shipment, you get a clear time for both the pickup and delivery. You can also track your shipment during its journey, so you always know where it is. That kind of transparency reduces stress and worry from the shipping process.
Cost Effective
Cost is another reason people choose freight shipping. Sending several items separately can get expensive fast. Freight lets you combine everything into one shipment, which usually brings the cost down. This is a great option for businesses that ship regularly and also do not want to spend all their money on shipping.
Multiple Shipping Options
No matter your preference, freight shipping has many options available that you can choose from. This can include shipping a few pallets or using a full truckload to transport your furniture. You can also choose the delivery speed and add any extra help you need, such as loading equipment or special handling.
Shipping Safety
This shipping ensures your freight is fully protected, handled by trained professional, and moved with the right equipment. This reduces the risk of damage and ensures your shipment is in the right hands from pickup to final delivery.
What Affects the Cost of Freight Shipping
Here are some of the main things:
- How heavy and big is the shipment.
- How far is the shipping distance.
- The type of shipping option you choose.
- Special handling if required.
- The pickup/delivery location (easy for a truck to access or not).
- Residential areas, tight driveways, dirt roads, and limited parking.
The Final Thoughts
Freight delivery isn’t as complicated as it sounds. It’s really a great process that is used in a system to move big cargo from one place to another. Once you understand the process, it stops feeling confused and becomes very straightforward.
Unify Logistic Solutions is a company that provides freight broker services for every industry across the United States. We have a network of thousands of carriers, the required permit, and the documentation needed to ship your freight without delay. Contact us today to get the right carriers anytime you need it.