Less Than Truck Load (LTL)

How Does Less than Truck Load Shipping Work?

With Less than Truck Load Shipping, only part of the truck's loading area is used. Even in this way, the truck can already start its journey. The advantage of this is that the truck usually arrives on time, as it does not have to make any additional stops. The disadvantage of LTL transport with only a partial load is that you have to pay a surcharge for the transport of the empty space. LTL Less than Truck Load transport is most profitable when the cargo space is shared with several senders. Then the transport proceeds as follows.
 

Picking up the LTL Part Load

First, the freight must be collected from the sender. Since the truck cannot simply collect all partial loads and take them from there to the consignee, your freight is first taken to a transhipment warehouse.
 

Transhipment Warehouse of LTL Transports

The Less than Truck Load carriers collect all the goods that come in the same truck or are shipped to the same region in a transhipment warehouse. This can take some time, which is the reason why there can be delays in the Less than Truck Load Shipping.
 

Dispatch of the Less than Truck Load to the Recipient Region

As soon as the truck is loaded with all partial loads, the Less than Truck Load carriers take the freight to the recipient's region. Once there, however, it has to make another stop, as the freight has to be sorted again in a transhipment warehouse.
 

Arrival of the Part Load at the Consignee

When all partial loads have been unloaded and sorted, the freight is loaded onto a truck. Then, the Less than Truck Load carrier takes the goods directly to the recipient.


 

How Can an LTL Transport Succeed?

To really save costs in LTL transport, it is important to plan properly. Due to the transhipment of the freight and the consolidation of the various part loads, there can often be delays on arrival. Therefore, plan enough time for your Less than Truck shipping.
The freight should also be adequately protected. Packaging therefore plays an important role in LTL freight shipping, as the goods are frequently reloaded during LTL transport. If you pay attention to these things, this type of transport can be a favourable option for you.