Freight Shippers Tips - How to Ship Freight Properly

When speaking about shipping freight, for freight shippers, it’s critical to understand what does freight shipping mean and know exactly how to ship freight.

In this quick guide, we’ll unwrap interesting facts revealing how freight shipments work and how transporting freight can save time and money. We will also discuss some of the most popular freight solutions and dive deep into how to send freight in the freight shipping service industry.

Let’s start with the most important first…

What Does Freight Mean

So, what is freight exactly?

To explain this as simply as possible, we can say that freight is the items, or goods, that are moved/transported. For instance, the main difference between traditional parcel shipping and freight shipping is the massive amounts and large quantities that freight shipping comes with.

In most cases, freight requires special handling!

Is Freight The Same as Shipping?

No. Not exactly. Shipping freight and shipping are quite different, and “freight” has a specific meaning.

To better understand what freight is, especially if you’re new to the logistics industry, you need to understand the main factors: size and transportation method. Well, shipping by freight covers everything from less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) to one single-pallet shipping.

So, this is what do freight mean and to ship by freight.

And when you know the definition, you can better communicate with your freight shipper and select the right shipping option.

It does not matter whether you’re dealing with commercial freight shipping or private freight shipping; understanding the basics is crucial for smooth freight deliveries.

What Does Freight Shipping Mean

At its foundation, freight shipping is the actual process of transporting these massive quantities of items from one location to another. The transportation method could be by wheels, by air, or by waterways, but it’s always involved in large quantities.

As mentioned previously, these massive amounts of items, called “freight”, often require special handling, and by definition, that’s what freight means.

When you hear “shipping via freight”, this typically means that there is coordination with the freight shipper who manages the transportation process. It involves everything from loading and unloading, freight classification rules, and the documentation, like as a bill of lading (BOL).

So, now that you know exactly what does freight shipping mean, you will ultimately choose the right freight services and freight options for your shipment.

It does not matter whether it’s a partial truckload, full truckload, or air freight; knowing all of this will help you with the freight costs and delivery times.

How Does Freight Shipping Work

Now that we know what is freighting, it’s time to learn more about how it works. Understanding how does freight shipping works means knowing each step involved in getting your goods from point A to point B.

Here’s the typical process to ship freight properly in a commercial freight delivery:

#1 - Assess Your Freight

The first step is to find out exactly how much your freight weighs, the exact size, and the type of your items and goods. This is extremely important to find the correct freight classification and the best freight option as per your needs.

#2 - Find Freight Shipper

The next step is discovering a reliable freight shipper or freight shipping service, as they will completely guide you through all the steps. These steps commonly involve the full paperwork, packaging, and transportation model.

#3 - Prepare the Shipment

One of the most important steps is to package your freight. The most common approach would be palletized shipments, which is the easiest method for loading and unloading. If your freight is properly packaged, you will reduce the risks of damage and ultimately reduce your freight costs.

#4 - Acquire a Freight Quote

So, the next step is to request freight quotes from multiple providers so you can compare the speed, estimated delivery time, and reputation. That’ll help you choose the best freight shipper.

#5 - Documentation and BOL

The next and one of the most important steps is to properly complete all necessary paperwork, especially the straight bill of lading (straight BOL). This document lists the freight details and the legal contract.

#6 - Freight Transportation

Your shipment is transported via the selected mode — truck, air freight, or water. During transit, your freight shipper often provides tracking updates.

#7 - Delivery and Unloading

Upon arrival, the freight is unloaded carefully. You or the receiver inspect the shipment to confirm it matches the freight shipment order.

#8 - Post-Delivery Support

Good freight services offer support for any issues, including claims for damage or delays, after the step of delivery freight. That’s one of the big benefits of freight shipping.

You now know exactly how to ship via freight, so let’s learn more about how much does it cost to ship freight.

How Much Does Freight Shipping Cost

It’s only natural to wonder how much does freight shipping costs, especially if you’re facing your first major order. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. The price depends on many factors, some of which include the freight weight, size, covered distance, and the transportation modes.

Also, it matters whether you’re going for road freight, water freight, or air freight. Therefore, let’s explore the different costs and help you consider the most cost-effective freight shipping service.

How Long Does Freight Shipping Take

Wondering how long does freight shipping take? Well, transit time depends on the transportation method and the distance your shipment covers.

Here’s a general guide:

The longer transit times usually mean lower costs but more planning. When speed matters, air freight offers the fastest option, while shipping via freight by road or water is generally more cost-effective for larger or less urgent shipments.

What Are the 4 Types of Freight

Freight is not a simple transportation process. There are different modes and ways to move the cargo, and knowing the four main types is important.

Starting with the most common type of freight…

Ground Freight

The “Ground Freight”, also known as “Road Freight”, is perhaps the most used way of moving and shipping freight. This is the most flexible and best way for palletized shipments, and does supports both full truckload and partial truckload models.

This is why most freight shippers rely on this mode of freight transportation for all kinds of hauls.

Rail Freight

Rail Freight is another very reliable option for moving freight across long distances, again on the ground via trains. However, what makes the ground freight and rail freight different is that rail freight is mostly used for raw materials, making it the best choice for cost-effective freight deliveries.

Ocean Freight

The “Ocean Freight” is the foundation of international trade. This is the absolute best way for transportation of large volumes of goods across the ocean.

However, speed here should not be a priority, as this mode of transportation is significantly slower than other models like ground freight.

Air Freight

When time is critical, air freight is unmatched. Though expensive, it offers the fastest transit times for urgent or high-value goods.

It’s commonly used in commercial freight shipping when speed outweighs cost and is ideal for smaller, lighter shipments that need to move quickly across borders.

What Is the 65% Rule in Freight Shipping

If you’ve heard about the 65% rule in freight shipping, but you’re not sure what it exactly means, it refers to the way space is billed when your freight can’t fully occupy the available room. Well, if your freight occupies more than 65% of the floor space, even if it’s not that heavy, you may be charged for a full load, like it’s occupying the entire space.

These rules apply whenever you’re trying to ship a pallet, for example, or other freight that is not stackable in any way. In short, if it occupies the floor, there is no way to put more freight there.

Using this rule, carriers can easily identify how much to ship a pallet of freight.

That’s how to freight ship, and we hope you’ve learned something new today!