Shipping freight can be overwhelming, but it does not have to be.

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Less-than-truckload shipping is an affordable, flexible and easy way to move goods, especially if you do not ship regularly or only have a few things to send at a time.

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This step-by-step guide will walk you through each step of the LTL shipping process and help you ship, whether it is your first time or you are a regular shipper.

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1. Know your shipment details.

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Before getting started, collect some basic information about your shipment. You might also want to take photos of your goods.

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In addition to a detailed description of what you want to ship, make sure you know:

• Dimensions of your freight: height, length and width
• Weight, including the weight of the pallet or crate
• Number of pallets or crates
• Complete pickup address, including the ZIP code
• Complete destination address, including the ZIP code

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It can also be helpful to look up the National Motor Freight Classification code or NMFC number of the items you plan to ship.

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2. Confirm if your LTL shipment has any special requirements.

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Some LTL shipments require additional handling, equipment or services. Freight carriers might require a shipping accessorial (and extra charge) if you need anything beyond basic dock-to-dock pickup and delivery.

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Some common shipping accessorials include:

• Liftgate service
• Pallet-jack service
• Oversize or overlength pallet
• Overweight pallet
• Additional pallet
• Truck order not used (when freight is not ready for pickup)
• Pickup or delivery address change
• Pickup or delivery to a trade show, convention or expo hall
• Delivery appointment needed
• Wait time at delivery (when freight is not ready for unloading)
• Use of a container freight station, such as an airport or warehouse
• Delivery to a residence, limited-access area or non-shipping facility, such as a construction site, church, government building
• Tolls or road congestion fees

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You can usually get a discounted rate or pre-negotiated tariff for a shipping accessorial before you ship when getting a quote. The average freight accessorial charge is $66 at these lower rates when pre-booked, according to Mothership’s analysis of 14 leading national LTL freight carriers in the U.S.

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It is crucial to be upfront about any freight accessorials you might need for your LTL shipment, as it can help you avoid surprise fees.

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Freight carriers can rebill you for any extra freight (additional pallets or extra weight), equipment or services used, and the charges can add up. According to Mothership’s analysis of leading national LTL carriers’ common post-shipment rebills, shipping accessorials can be as high as $526 or more.

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Mothership has an AI assistant available to all shippers for free. The technology automatically recommends delivery accessorials and applies discounted tariffs and complimentary services, such as free liftgate or pallet-jack services when needed, which can help you avoid pricey billing adjustments, missed discounts and shipping delays.

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3. Get a LTL quote.

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Contact freight carriers to get a quote for your LTL shipment. You can contact carriers directly or use an online platform or marketplace, like Mothership.

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Mothership is a marketplace that matches shippers and their freight with the nearest carrier in seconds. It saves shippers up to 50% on LTL shipping compared to typical final-mile freight rates.

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4. Choose the right LTL carrier.

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Make sure to pick a LTL carrier that fits your business needs. Some freight carriers specialize in certain regions of the country, which could lead to faster and more reliable pickup, delivery and transit times.

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You might also want to book your LTL shipment with a specialized carrier for the goods you want to ship.

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Mothership works with shippers in industries as diverse as apparel and fashion, building materials, commercial appliances and cooling, consumer-packaged goods, furniture distribution and medical supplies. The expertise results in fewer incidents of damage or loss claims—10 times lower than the industry average—and more consistent, on-time deliveries.

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5. Get your freight ready for LTL shipment.

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It is a good idea to put your freight on pallets or crates so that is protected during shipment. Put heavy items on the bottom and ensure everything is securely wrapped. Label any fragile contents or non-stackable items on all sides of the crate or pallet.

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Everything you ship should have a shipping label with contact information, such as phone numbers and complete pickup and delivery addresses with ZIP codes.

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Do not forget your completed and accurate bill of lading.

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6. Schedule your LTL pickup.

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After you book your LTL shipment and prepare your freight, you will need to schedule a pickup date with the freight carrier.

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Double-check your pickup address and provide an adequate pickup window. Your LTL freight carrier should also have someone’s contact information and any special instructions for your shipment, such as whether a liftgate is needed if your pickup location does not have a loading dock.

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7. Track your LTL shipment.

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Make sure that you have visibility into your freight. Use tracking tools to check on your shipment’s progress and ensure on-time delivery.

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Mothership is the first logistics company to offer real-time tracking for every shipment. You can watch your freight move on a map and share the updates with your team or the recipient—no calls to the carrier or broker are needed.

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What is LTL shipping?

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Less-than-truckload or LTL shipping refers to the movement of goods that do not require a full truck. Generally, a freight carrier consolidates shipments from multiple customers on the same truck, making LTL shipping more economical because space is shared.

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Do I have to ship pallets for LTL shipping?

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LTL freight is often palletized because pallets are easier to load, unload, handle and keep safe in transit. However, LTL shipments do not have to be pallets, as long as the cargo is properly packaged, secured and arranged.

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What is the difference between LTL and other shipping methods?

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Less-than-truckload or LTL shipping usually refers to shipments that are smaller than a full truckload.

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LTL shipping often moves pallets, but a LTL shipment can include anything from multiple packages to close to an entire trailer of cargo.

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In contrast, full-truckload or FTL shipping is the movement of large quantities of goods that fill up most or all of a truck. FTL shipments are not consolidated with other customers’ shipments and are usually transported directly to the destination.

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What are the benefits of LTL shipping?

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LTL shipping offers significant cost savings by maximizing resources. Shippers only need to pay for the portion of a truck trailer’s space they use, rather than the entire truck. The shared cost structure makes LTL shipping more affordable than FTL shipping.

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LTL shipping can also be more environmentally friendly because it could reduce the number of trucks on the road.

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LTL shipping also provides more flexibility. Many freight carriers specializing in LTL shipping offer services, which may not be available for FTL shipments. For example, Mothership provides free liftgate and pallet-jack services, as well as same-day shipments in key markets reaching 85% of the U.S. population, making its LTL shipping more affordable and reliable.

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How much does LTL shipping cost?

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LTL shipping is generally more cost-effective for shippers, especially for businesses that might ship irregularly or may not ship large quantities of goods. Shippers only pay for the space their goods take up in the truck’s trailer with an LTL shipment.

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LTL shipping rates start at $45 per shipment at Mothership, which can deliver your goods the same day in major cities and markets in the U.S.

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Get started with Mothership's less-than-truckload and same-day delivery. Businesses can sign up and get a quote in 60 seconds or less.

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Rick Chen is the director, communications at Mothership. He was previously the head of communications or company spokesperson for Credit Karma, Gusto, Metromile and Blind and has been featured in accounting, HR, insurance and tech trade publications and national outlets like CNBC, Forbes, Lifehacker, Reuters, Rolling Stone and more.