Freight shipments: its types, methods, and more

Freight ship on water

Source: ZGGShip

Freight delivery or freight shipping

Freight delivery or freight shipping is the shipment of goods from point a to point b, in the most optimal way possible, while considering factors like time, budget, and prioritization of the goods.

Why choose freight shipping

Freight shipping services play a huge role in businesses especially those in e-commerce. It is a practical way for entrepreneurs to allow their businesses to grow because the costs of transport are shared by clients. It is economical especially for businesses because logistics chains can manage unpredictable and varying factors in the shipment of goods. One of these factors is policies that each freight should conform to. A few of the things that bring freight shipping to clients is the maintenance of safety and security of their cargo.

Common freight types

Less than truckload freight

Truck freight shipping on the road

Source: Pexels

Less than truckload freight is a shipment option that allows consignees to share the cost of one truckload. This happens by dividing the shipping fee according to freight classes. Goods that weigh around 150-15000 pounds and can be transported via LTL. If you are looking to ship cargo that cannot occupy a full truckload, this is the shipment method for you.

Full truckload freight

Full truckload freight

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Full truckload, known as FTL, is a transportation method in which a truck transports a single consignment. This shipping method is perfect for cargo that is temperature sensitive like perishable goods. If you are looking to ship an item that exceeds 15,000 pounds this shipping option may work best for you.

International shipping

International shipping via air, land, and sea

Source: iStock

International shipping is the transport of products between countries by sea, air, or road. E-commerce businesses can use this delivery option to ship their items to their clients overseas. There are various options under this method to cover perishable, high-valued, and standardized cargo.

Intermodal rail freight

Intermodal rail freight

Source: iStock

Intermodal freight is comprised of goods and raw materials that are shipped in a container by a range of vehicles, including semi-trailer trucks, railroads, and container ships. If you are looking to reduce shipping costs, then intermodal freight is the one for you. This option is perfect for all types of cargo.

Air freight

Air freight

Source: iStock

Air freight logistics, as the name implies, involves the transfer and shipment of products through an aircraft, either commercial or charter. This shipping option is fit for those who are looking to deliver cargo quicker than usual. This shipping method classified cargo into two types: general cargo is your usual, everyday stuff that does not require further precautions. Special cargo, on the other hand, is classified as items that require safety precautions to lower the risk of damage.

Ocean freight

Ocean freight

Source: iStock

In ocean transportation, the cargo is trucked to the shipping vessel at the port of origin and sent overseas to the importer at the port of destination. Goods are packed in shipping containers, and the freight forwarder reserves the space or container. The route can go from port to port, door to door, door to port, or port to door, and it can also include truck pick-up and delivery.

Expedited freight

Expedited freight

Source: iStock

The primary goal of expedited freight is to move the shipment quickly and efficiently from point A to point B. Cargos shipped in this method are delivered directly from pick-up to its drop-off point. Consignees may use this method in shipping goods that are perishable and high-value.

Guaranteed delivery freight service

A girl processing an order for shipping

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Essentially, it is LTL shipping as usual, but with more frequent and precise delivery timeframes. Guaranteed delivery freight service is regarded as an add-on service, but if you require assurance regarding your shipment, it’s a cost-effective investment. If you prefer your cargo to arrive at a specified time frame, this method is perfect.

Freight forwarder: who is it and what does it do?

A female freight shipping staff

Source: iStock

A freight forwarder is essentially an entity that organizes the transportation of products from one location to another. Remember that they typically aren’t in charge of how the goods are handled. Instead, they serve as a liaison between their clients and the various logistics firms with which they must deal.

The role in the logistic chain

By initiating and enabling the transfer of goods, freight forwarders unite the many supply chain management verticals by providing the corresponding information at the appropriate time to the proper destination.

The differences between freight forwarders and freight brokers
The shipper of the products and the freight forwarder or carrier are connected through the freight broker, without directly handling the cargo. However, a freight forwarder takes control of the cargo and offers storage, handling, packaging, consolidation, and paperwork.

Most Common shipping questions and answers

What are some problems with shipping?

Problems with shipping would be less likely to happen if consignors know the corresponding delivery criteria to be applied in any logistic activity. But, some of the common problems are as follows:

• Items are damaged during handling or shipping.
• Shipping costs are unreasonably high.
• Lack of knowledge about international shipping.
• Shipping route disruptions.
• Lost items.
• The stress of “split shipments”
• Harsh environmental conditions along the shipping route.

What are the steps of shipping?

• Receiving
  • This is done by assessing whether your inventory permits the order. A system that is streamlined to your business makes it a lot easier for the sales to flow.
• Processing
  • This process consists of checking each item in the order of whether it corresponds to the accurate information.
• Fulfilling
  • It involves receiving products, processing them, sending orders to clients, and refunding requests.

What are the important measures for the freight?

Freight dimensions

To measure your freight dimension, the volume of the cargo (length x width x height in inches) is divided by a factor that varies from carrier to carrier.

Freight class

Freight classes are groups determined by carriers. Common classifications are ease of handling, value, mass, dimensions, density, and liability. These are utilized to determine costs.

Freight weight

This is determined by the combined mass of the cargo and its packaging. Any variations in the result of the shipping scale are adjusted accordingly to the shipping costs.

Freight measurement

Freights in boxes are measured straightforwardly. Cargos in pallets should include their size in measurement while making sure that it does not exceed the pallets.

What are the freight classes?

Freight classes are among the important things every client should know before placing their orders. These classes are live, liquid, and loose freight classes. These classifications are vital in maintaining the safety of cargos from one another so that they arrive in mint condition to their destinations. Other than that, it also ensures that each cargo follows rules and regulations of the locations where they need to be.

How are freight classes determined or calculated?

Conclusion (50 WC)

The world we live in is heavily-reliant on one another, making global trade significantly important. There is a variety of freight shipping methods to address the need of each cargo. It is important to know how they differ from one another so that your items are shipped safely to their destinations.