7 Common LTL Shipping Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Avoid costly errors in your LTL shipping operations. Learn the most common mistakes shippers make and practical solutions to fix them.
Rachel Torres•Sep 16, 2024Even experienced shippers make costly mistakes with LTL freight. Here are the seven most common errors we see, and how to avoid them.
1. Inaccurate Weight and Dimensions
The Mistake: Estimating instead of measuring, or using product specs instead of packaged dimensions.
The Cost: Carriers weigh and measure shipments. If they find discrepancies, you’ll face reweigh fees and adjusted rates that can double your shipping cost.
The Fix: Always measure and weigh your packaged freight. Include pallets, stretch wrap, and any packaging materials in your calculations.
2. Wrong Freight Class
The Mistake: Guessing at freight class or using the wrong NMFC code.
The Cost: Reclassification charges can add 20-50% to your shipping bill. Repeated errors may even result in audits of your entire shipping history.
The Fix: Use the NMFC database or work with a freight broker who can help you classify correctly. Keep documentation for every commodity you ship.
3. Poor Packaging and Palletizing
The Mistake: Inadequate packaging, overhanging pallets, or unstable loads.
The Cost: Damage claims, refused deliveries, and additional handling charges. LTL freight is handled multiple times, so it needs to withstand the journey.
The Fix:
- Use quality pallets (48x40” standard)
- Keep freight within pallet edges
- Stack heavier items on bottom
- Secure everything with stretch wrap and bands
4. Missing or Incorrect BOL Information
The Mistake: Incomplete addresses, missing contact info, or vague product descriptions.
The Cost: Delivery delays, returned freight, and additional fees for address corrections or redelivery attempts.
The Fix: Double-check every BOL before shipping. Include complete addresses, phone numbers, special instructions, and accurate product descriptions.
5. Not Understanding Accessorial Charges
The Mistake: Booking a standard shipment when you need liftgate, inside delivery, or appointment scheduling.
The Cost: Surprise charges that appear on your invoice weeks later. Accessorials often cost $50-$200 each.
The Fix: Know your delivery requirements upfront. Common accessorials include:
- Liftgate (pickup or delivery)
- Inside delivery
- Residential delivery
- Limited access locations
- Appointment/notification
6. Ignoring Transit Times
The Mistake: Assuming all carriers deliver at the same speed, or not accounting for pickup/delivery windows.
The Cost: Missed deadlines, unhappy customers, and expedited shipping charges to fix problems.
The Fix: Consider transit time when selecting carriers, not just price. Build buffer time into your shipping schedule, especially for time-sensitive deliveries.
7. Not Tracking Shipments
The Mistake: Shipping freight and forgetting about it until the customer calls asking where their order is.
The Cost: Poor customer experience, missed delivery exceptions, and reactive instead of proactive problem-solving.
The Fix: Use a platform with real-time tracking and proactive notifications. Address exceptions immediately before they become bigger problems.
The Bottom Line
Most LTL shipping mistakes come down to one thing: lack of visibility and control. Modern freight management platforms eliminate these errors by automating processes, catching issues early, and keeping you informed every step of the way.
Start shipping smarter with FreightSimple and get instant quotes, automatic tracking, and proactive anomaly detection.