Delivery Freight

Freight delivery is the transport of goods that are too large, heavy or numerous for a parcel network, typically on pallets, in crates or as loose heavy items. It moves by truck, rail, air or ocean and travels with a bill of lading that records the shipment. Common types include less-than-truckload, partial truckload, full truckload, expedited dedicated trucks and air freight. Receiving freight usually requires a loading dock, a liftgate or a forklift. Businesses use freight delivery for inventory, raw materials, equipment and anything else shipped in bulk, while parcel services handle individual boxes.

Parcel shipping moves individual packages, usually light enough for one person to lift, through sorting hubs on fixed routes. Each box is labeled and tracked on its own. Freight delivery moves larger shipments, such as pallets, crates and heavy equipment, on trucks or aircraft, with a bill of lading describing the whole load. Parcel carriers set weight and size limits per package, and shipments beyond those limits must move as freight. Freight also needs loading equipment and often a delivery appointment. In everyday speech, shipping refers to the whole journey, while delivery usually means the final handoff to the receiver.

LTL stands for less-than-truckload. It is a shipping method for freight that does not fill a whole trailer, typically from one to several pallets. The shipment shares space with freight from other shippers and moves through a network of terminals, where it is sorted and transferred between trucks before final delivery. LTL is cost-effective for smaller shipments because shippers pay only for the space they use, often based on weight, dimensions and freight class. The trade-off is time and handling, since each terminal stop adds both. For urgent or fragile freight, a dedicated truck that runs direct is usually the better choice.

Partial truckload, sometimes called volume LTL, sits between LTL and full truckload. It is used for shipments that take up a large share of a trailer but not all of it, often several pallets or a few thousand pounds and up. Unlike LTL, partial loads usually stay on the same truck from pickup to delivery and share space with only one or two other shipments, so there is less sorting and handling. Pricing tends to be based on the space used rather than freight class. Partial truckload can be a good middle option for medium-size shipments that do not need a dedicated vehicle.

Full truckload, or FTL, means one shipper's freight uses an entire trailer, usually a 53 ft dry van, reefer or flatbed. The truck picks up the freight and drives directly to the destination without stopping at terminals or picking up other shipments. FTL is the most efficient option for large shipments, and it involves less handling than LTL, which reduces the risk of damage. It also suits shipments that weigh a lot even if they do not fill the space. A shipper can book a full truckload even for a smaller load if speed or exclusive use matters more than cost.

A bill of lading, or BOL, is the main document in a freight shipment. It identifies the shipper, the receiver, the pickup and delivery addresses and the freight itself, including the number of pieces, weight and any special handling instructions. It serves three purposes: a receipt showing the carrier received the goods, a document of title in some cases, and evidence of the contract of carriage. The driver signs it at pickup, and the receiver signs it at delivery, noting any damage or shortage. Accurate details on the BOL help prevent billing disputes, delivery problems and claim delays.

The three most common types are the straight bill of lading, the order bill of lading and the blanket bill of lading. A straight BOL names a specific receiver and cannot be transferred to anyone else, which makes it the usual choice for domestic freight that has already been paid for. An order BOL can be transferred by endorsement, so ownership of the goods can change while they are in transit. It is common in international trade and financing. A blanket BOL covers several shipments to the same receiver over a set period, which reduces paperwork for regular deliveries.

A PRO number, short for progressive number, is a tracking number a carrier assigns to a freight shipment. It usually appears on the bill of lading and on labels attached to the freight, often as a barcode. The shipper and receiver use it to check the shipment's status, locate it in the carrier's system and reference it on invoices and claims. PRO numbers are most common with LTL carriers, which handle many shipments through terminals and need a way to identify each one. For dedicated trucks, the broker's load number serves a similar purpose alongside the bill of lading.

Freight class is a standardized category used mainly in LTL shipping to price freight based on how easy or difficult it is to move. The National Motor Freight Classification system assigns classes from 50 to 500 using four factors: density, how easily the freight can be stowed with other shipments, how easily it can be handled, and liability for damage or theft. Dense, sturdy freight gets a lower class and generally costs less to ship, while light, bulky or fragile freight gets a higher class. Freight class rarely matters for dedicated trucks, where the vehicle and the trip drive the cost.

A liftgate is a powered platform at the back of a truck that raises and lowers freight between the truck bed and the ground. It is needed when a pickup or delivery location has no loading dock, such as a store, office, job site or home. The driver rolls a pallet onto the platform with a pallet jack and lowers it to the ground. Liftgates are common on box trucks and straight trucks but not on most full-size trailers. If either end of a shipment lacks a dock, mention it when booking so a liftgate truck is sent and the delivery is not delayed.