Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping allows businesses to save on transportation costs. However, it’s essential to know that freight rates are based on weight and dimensions.
Try maximizing density and using kiln-dried pallets to reduce your LTL shipping costs. This will also help to prevent damage. It is also beneficial to consolidate your shipments as much as possible.
Know Your Freight Class
Your less-than-truckload (LTL) freight class determines freight shipping costs. The freight classification system is designed to help ensure standard pricing for businesses that ship their goods to various locations nationwide. But, with the numerous factors determining freight class, this system can quickly become overwhelming for business owners and freight carriers.
Its density, weight, and dimensions determine a shipment’s freight class. It’s also important to consider the weight of your packaging when calculating freight class, as this can significantly affect the final shipping cost.
Calculating overall logistics expenses involves considering various factors, including transportation methods and handling fees, such as pallet shipping cost, which can significantly impact the total expenditure for goods distribution.
The higher your freight class, the more expensive it will be to ship. Fortunately, there are many ways to lower your freight class, such as using an online density calculator and choosing the proper packaging for your shipment. Ultimately, measuring your freight is critical to getting an accurate freight class and avoiding overpaying for LTL shipping.
Remember that freight classes are only an estimate based on averages and densities. Your carrier may still re-classify your product depending on how it is packaged and the size, shape, and other factors influencing its handling, stowing, liability, and shipping damage risks. That’s why it’s always essential to include a detailed description of your freight on the Bill of Lading.
Organize Your Load
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to freight shipping. In addition to the right pallet, your load needs to be organized to reduce shifting. Shifting can lead to product damage, rejected orders, added charges, and significant headaches.
To minimize the chance of shifting, ensure your pallet is as dense as possible. You can do this by stacking your boxes and containers as tightly as possible without causing them to crush each other. Use packing material like Styrofoam peanuts to fill any voids in your boxes. Additionally, it would help if you tried to limit your shipment height to 60 inches or less. Anything higher will trigger oversized fees.
Lastly, be sure to use high-quality strapping materials. Look for straps made from steel, polypropylene, rayon, or polyester to keep your shipment secure and prevent it from being crushed during transit. Additionally, use cardboard corner boards and corrugated pads to add stability.
Getting the best deal on your pallet delivery can save you a lot of money. But shopping around and comparing prices before settling with the first carrier you find is essential. You can do this alone or partner with a 3PL to do the legwork. The goal is to find a freight delivery company with the best rates and the most minor hidden fees.
Shop Around
Pallet shipping is best for bulky items that can’t be shipped in boxes or envelopes. While you can send shipments in individual containers or even loose cartons, these are more expensive than pallets and require more attention from the carrier to ensure your shipment is safe. This can be an issue for small businesses and retailers that need to ship on a budget.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cut costs on pallet freight shipping. The key is to shop around. You may find that a shipping company in your area charges less than a competitor. The type of pallet you choose is also a factor. For example, plastic pallets are more affordable than wooden ones. The location of your pick-up and delivery also plays a role in cost. The more miles your shipment must travel, the more it will cost. The time of year may affect your journey as well.
If you’re ready to save money on pallet shipping rates, the first step is ensuring you get the best prices. It can help connect you with a trusted shipping professional who can guarantee a cheap and reliable pallet delivery..
Pack Efficiently
Packaging your product efficiently is one of the best things you can do to help save on shipping costs. This can mean optimizing your cargo cube, stacking it differently, or even boxing it differently to allow you to fit more onto a pallet. This will help you reduce the number of pallets needed, lowering your shipping rates.
A common mistake when shipping is to stack boxes on each other haphazardly. This can compromise the structural integrity of your pallet stack and cause damage during transport. To avoid this, place heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on each other. Lining each layer with flat cardboard can also help ensure the stack is evenly distributed and will not shift during transit.
It’s also helpful to consolidate shipments whenever possible. This can save you money by allowing you to take advantage of lower rates during off-peak times. In addition, it can reduce the amount of time your goods spend in transit. Often, this means that you can get the same price for shipping your ten pallets of products once a week as you would for shipping them out as individual packages on separate days.
Another thing to remember is that it’s more expensive to ship loose cartons than to send them on a pallet. Loose cartons require more handling and are more challenging to track throughout the journey.
