Let's start with the basics. What is LTL?
When customers think of shipping, images of small packages and brown package cars come to mind.
While UPS's package network can handle an astounding volume of small packages, it wasn't designed to accommodate large volumes of heavy shipments. That's where UPS Freight comes in.
LTL stands for "less-than-truckload" and typically refers to palletized freight weighing over 150 pounds. As UPS's dedicated LTL carrier, UPS Freight handles LTL shipping throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
How do I prepare an LTL Shipment?
Most LTL shipments are palletized, making preparation slightly more complicated than a small package shipment. Our Shipment Guide will help you properly package, stack and wrap your LTL shipments.
What is freight class?
Freight class is an industry standard methodology all LTL carriers use to rate shipments (along with distance, service and any additional services required). The freight class of each item is determined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association in order to standardize rating in the LTL industry. Every product you ship will fall into one of the 18 different National Motor Freight Classification Class codes.
Do I really need a freight class? (Short answer: no.)
If determining a freight class is like learning a foreign language, UPS Freight offers Density-Based Rating - a rating methodology that allows you to simply measure your shipment rather than waste time trying to determine the proper freight class. If you prefer to process your LTL shipments like you process your package shipments, click here to learn more about Density-Based Rating.
Prefer to avoid pallets?
Pallets are heavy and add additional cost to your shipment. If your shipment meets certain criteria, you can avoid the pallet pitfalls with UPS Freight. UPS Freight is the only LTL carrier to offer Ground with Freight Pricing which allows you to process multi-piece shipments without a pallet! Click here to learn more about UPS Ground with Freight Pricing (GFP).
I have a few more questions. Who do I contact?
If you have a few quick questions, please reach out to UPS Freight Customer Service at (800)333-7400.
If you'd like to sit down with your local UPS Freight sales resource to discuss UPS Freight's portfolio of LTL solutions, Email Us.
