What Information Is Needed to Get the Right LTL Quote?
Do you need shipping services for any freight? Getting an LTL freight estimate should be your first step.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind each and every time you prepare a goods quotation, regardless of whether you are an expert shipper or a novice, is to make sure all of your information is correct.
We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to always ensure the information on your LTL quotation is precise. Even the tiniest error may cost you time and money.
The following details are the most crucial to provide in your next LTL freight quote:
Origin and Final Location
In order to get an LTL freight price, you must first provide the pickup and delivery points (origin and destination, respectively). You will need the zip codes and addresses of the origin and destination, at the very least.
The shipper and consignee terms in logistics relate to the origin and destination companies, respectively.
The location type of the shipper and consignee must be accurately noted on your quotation. Whether it is a company or a household is determined by the location type. The shipper or consignee must request a liftgate as a special handling service, or what’s known as an accessorial, if they do not have a dock. Businesses often have loading docks. You must ask for residential delivery service and will probably require liftgate service if the shipper or consignee is a home or a company situated in a residential neighborhood.
Shipment Weight
The weight of your cargo is a major factor in determining the cost of your LTL shipping.
When you book your cargo, the information from your LTL quotation, including the weight, will be transmitted to the bill of lading. The total weight of the cargo includes the pallet and any additional packing.
Also, if the carrier chooses to weigh your cargo, you will be charged a reweigh fee if the listed weight is wrong on your freight quotation.
Two methods exist for estimating a shipment’s weight when no freight scale is available:
- The total weight of all items in your shipment, or its “gross weight,” is the sum of their weights. The total weight of a pallet holding 10 boxes, each weighing 75 pounds, would be 790 pounds (10 x 40″ x 48″ boxes x 40 pounds per pallet).
- Make use of the package’s dimensional weight. A shipment’s dimensional weight is the amount of space it takes up in comparison to its actual weight. Shipment cubic feet (length * width * height) divided by 166 yields the dimensional weight. (please keep in mind that dimensional weight is not an exact science, but it does provide a decent approximation of real weight).
Freight Category
The weight, distance, and freight class of the cargo are the three elements that will have the most impact on your LTL freight charge. The density, stowability, convenience of handling, and responsibility of the consignment are taken into account while determining the freight class. The price of a cargo rises as the freight class does (classes vary from 50 to 500).
The right freight class might be difficult to decide, so if you have any issues, get in touch with a Vineyard Brokerage representative who can guide you. Once again, accuracy is crucial because if your BOL identifies your cargo as Class 55 but the carrier decides it should be Class 200, you may be charged a reclass fee and your freight may be delayed as a result of the additional work the carrier must do.
Specifics and Measurements
- Unit count refers to the total number of pallets or other individual units of handling in your cargo.
- The total number of pieces, or the total number of boxes on the pallet.
- The dimensions of the unit are its length, breadth, and height.
Extra Care Required (Accessorials)
The price of your quotation will go higher if you need to add on specific services for your cargo, known as “accessorials,” which are not necessary for the pickup and delivery of a regular business-to-business shipment. Residential delivery, liftgate service, restricted access delivery, the use of a refrigerated vehicle, and the transfer of hazardous products all incur additional costs due to their unique handling requirements.
Achieving an accurate LTL quotation is facilitated by having all the information you need about your cargo at hand before you begin the quote process.
Vineyard Brokerage
A committed group of seasoned shipping experts work with Vineyard Brokerage, a full -fledged freight broker, to deliver cutting-edge logistics technologies. You will always get a variety of carrier alternatives, the lowest prices, and the greatest service when you utilize Vineyard Brokerage for your LTL shipment. Get a price for LTL shipping right now, by giving us a call at (317) 939-3769.
