Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Freight Shipping Services

How LTL Freight Moves in Practice

LTL shipments move through shared carrier terminal networks, where freight from multiple shippers is consolidated onto linehaul routes and transferred between terminals before reaching its final destination. Because freight may be handled more than once in transit, how a shipment is prepared, classified, and documented has a direct impact on how smoothly it moves.

Key factors that influence LTL performance include:

• Accurate NMFC classification and freight class
• Proper palletization and packaging for terminal handling
• Accessorial requirements identified before pickup, including liftgate or limited access delivery
• Pickup and delivery window flexibility
• Terminal routing and lane density

Getting these details right before freight moves helps reduce the likelihood of reclassification adjustments, unexpected accessorial charges, and avoidable transit disruptions.

Freight Class and NMFC: Why Classification Matters

Most LTL shipments are classified under the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system and assigned a freight class used to support rating and handling decisions. The NMFC structure includes 18 freight classes ranging from class 50 to class 500, and the class assigned to your freight can directly affect transportation cost and may influence handling requirements and transportation planning.

Freight class is determined using four primary factors:

• Density — weight relative to the space the freight occupies in the trailer
• Stowability — how easily the freight can be loaded and transported alongside other shipments
• Handling — the ease or difficulty of moving the freight through terminal networks
• Liability — the risk of damage, theft, perishability, or damage to surrounding freight

For many standard commodities, density is often the most influential classification factor. Higher-density freight generally receives a lower freight class and lower transportation cost, while lower-density freight typically receives a higher class and higher cost. Depending on the commodity, handling, stowability, and liability characteristics may also affect the final classification.

Misclassification is one of the most common and costly LTL shipping mistakes. If a carrier inspects freight and determines the reported class is incorrect, the shipment may be reclassified and the invoice adjusted, sometimes significantly. First Call reviews NMFC classification before pickup to help reduce the risk of reclassification and unexpected billing changes before freight moves.

For a deeper look at how classification affects shipping costs, see How Freight Classification Affects Your Bottom Line.

LTL Accessorial Charges: What to Plan For

Accessorial charges are fees applied to LTL shipments beyond standard linehaul transportation. They are among the most common sources of unexpected costs on LTL invoices — not because they are hidden, but because shipment requirements are not always communicated or confirmed before pickup. A full breakdown of common accessorial charges is available in our guide to understanding accessorial charges.

Common accessorial charges to plan for include:

• Liftgate pickup or delivery — may be required when freight must be loaded or unloaded at ground level and dock equipment or material handling equipment is unavailable
• Residential delivery — applies when freight is delivered to a residence or location classified by the carrier as residential
• Limited access delivery — applies to locations such as schools, churches, construction sites, storage facilities, and other locations with operational access constraints
• Appointment delivery — applies when delivery must be scheduled in advance or coordinated with the consignee
• Inside delivery — applies when freight needs to be moved beyond the standard delivery point
• Redelivery — charged when an attempted delivery cannot be completed and another delivery attempt is required

Identifying accessorial requirements before pickup is one of the most effective ways to reduce invoice adjustments after delivery. First Call reviews shipment details upfront to confirm which accessorials may apply and reduce the likelihood of unexpected billing changes after freight moves.

How First Call Supports LTL Freight

LTL coordination involves more than securing transportation capacity. Classification, carrier alignment, accessorial planning, and shipment planning all need to be confirmed before freight moves to reduce avoidable billing issues and delivery disruptions.

First Call supports LTL shipments through:

• NMFC and freight class review prior to pickup
• Carrier alignment based on lane characteristics, service requirements, and network fit
• Accessorial identification and coordination, including liftgate and appointment delivery requirements
• Pickup window scheduling and shipment confirmation
• Shipment visibility and communication from pickup through delivery

By coordinating shipment details upfront, First Call helps reduce the likelihood of reclassification adjustments, unexpected accessorial charges, and avoidable transit disruptions after freight is already in motion.

LTL vs. Full Truckload: When LTL Makes Sense

The right mode depends on shipment size, delivery requirements, freight characteristics, and transportation priorities. LTL is generally the better fit when:

• Your shipment includes multiple pallets or partial trailer quantities that do not efficiently utilize full truckload capacity
• Freight volume and weight do not justify the cost of purchasing full truckload capacity
• Cost efficiency and shipment consolidation are higher priorities than direct transit speed
• You need consistent freight movement without paying for unused trailer capacity on every shipment
• Pickup and delivery timing can accommodate terminal-based routing and shared transit networks

Full truckload is typically the better fit when freight uses most available trailer capacity, direct routing is required, or reducing freight handling is a priority. As shipment size grows, the cost and operational advantages of FTL may outweigh the per-shipment savings available through LTL.

For a deeper comparison of the two modes, see Truckload vs. LTL: What’s the Difference?

Not sure which mode fits your freight? Talk to a specialist.

Specialized and Time-Sensitive LTL

Not all LTL freight moves under standard network conditions. Some shipments require tighter timelines, higher service levels, or additional handling requirements beyond a standard LTL shipment.

First Call supports specialized LTL scenarios including:

• Expedited LTL service options for time-sensitive freight
• Temperature-controlled LTL for freight requiring controlled temperature conditions throughout transit
• Appointment coordination and limited access delivery requirements
• Shipment escalation and coordination when exceptions or delays occur within the carrier network

When shipment requirements change or transit conditions shift, First Call coordinates with the carrier and communicates shipment status through delivery.

Less-than-Truckload Frequently Asked Questions