There are endless industries that use shipping in a variety of ways. The type of carriers, the amount they carry, and their prices all vary and one kind of freight service might work for one company but not another. Understanding the different types of freight shipping will help you to decide what kind your business should be utilizing.

1. LTL Shipping

LTL stands for “less than truckload”. This means that the freight is smaller and often takes up less than half a truck. This is ideal for companies that send out small shipments on a regular basis, such as an ecommerce business or regularly send out freight that is less than a truckload. The weight of the freight can range anywhere from 100 pounds all the way up to 10,000 pounds, although the latter is more rare.

2. Partial Truckload Shipping

This is the next step up from LTL shipping. Loads usually start around 5,000 pounds and go up. They usually take up at least half of the truck, but still don’t make a full truckload. Partial truckload carriers are a good choice for companies whose freight is lightweight but takes up a great deal of space, or for fragile freight because it entails less handling.

3. Full Truckload Shipping

This kind of shipping speaks for itself. It’s freight that takes up an entire truckload. If you have large amounts of freight that need to go out at once on a regular basis, then this is a good option your company. Full truckload carriers dedicate entire trailers to a single customer rather than carrying mixed loads.

4. Overweight Shipping

Overweight shipping is a bit more complicated, because it requires truckers to arrange an overweight permit to carry something that goes above their truck’s weight limit. There will often be a fee charged for this. This is obviously a better option for companies that ship out large, heavy loads.

5. Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipping is for companies that need to get their freight to its destination fast. When customers order expedited shipping it often means they will be getting their items within half the normal time or less.

It is up to your company to decide what kind of truckload carriers you need. You may need more than one depending on what you’re shipping and the size of your business.