Techniques for Lowering LTL Shipping Expenses

In a perfect world of shipping, every decision made would result in maximum efficiency, safety, and revenue while delivering the lowest possible shipping costs. If you find that Utopian situation, then you’re probably running the world’s most profitable shipping company. For the rest of the shippers operating in the real world, finding ways to lower expenses is a daily challenge, especially when it comes to LTL shipping. What you need then is a 3PL provider that can find you the most cost efficient LTL trucking company.

Helping Canadian Ltl Carriers Save On Ltl Trucking

Anyone who has ever had to arrange shipping for a small amount of freight understands the value of less than truckload shipping in Canada. On the other hand, they also know that it can be hard to get cost certainty knowing that freight may take longer to get to its destination. To reduce the expenses incurred when utilizing the services on an LTL trucking company, there are multiple things that can be done. That can be as simple as ensuring your Bill of Lading is 100 percent accurate. There are far too many examples of BOLs containing the wrong information that have resulted in shipments being hundreds, if not thousands, kilometers off course.

That said, there are other more practical steps a shipper can take to reduce the expenses being charged by the LTL trucking company. For example:

• The ultimate costs you may be charged by a shipping company is determined by the weight of your freight, the overall dimensions, and the pallet count. If there’s more than one pallet common sense says it’s going to cost you more money. However, if the Bill of Lading doesn’t properly reflect the actual weight of your shipment, the company will have no choice but to have the shipment removed and weighed again. That involves more labour which results in higher costs from such penalties. In reality, you could be paying hundreds more just for having to reweigh your shipment.
• Every shipment has a final destination (hopefully, not one similar to those in the movie of the same name). There may be additional costs involved depending on whether the shipment is heading to a proper loading dock or winding up in some residential area or commercial property than makes unloading difficult. If your freight has to be shipped to a different location than what’s on the BOL there will be a charge; you may have to pay a liftgate fee as well. Ultimately, having accurate information is always helpful when trying to find the most cost-effective way to ship LTL loads.
• There are multiple classifications of freight being moved by Canadian LTL carriers. What class is attributed to your freight depends on a matrix of factors. These include the density of the goods being shipped, the liability involved in shipping them (pillows are less expensive to ship than dynamite), and the ease in handling the loading and unloading of the materials. If your goods are not properly classified at the beginning of their journey as marked on the BOL, you could wind up paying a much more significant amount that what you had originally planned.
• Preparing the freight for shipping is a critical process. Securing items to the pallet – assuming a pallet is necessary – should be a process undertaken with great care. Improperly securing freight to its pallet could result in significant damage during the loading, shipping, or unloading process. Paying for lost freight adds to your costs, especially if the shipment is a total loss. Some goods may require a special trailer to facilitate delivery. This may cost more money as well, especially if this need isn’t identified from the beginning.
• Not all goods are as easy and trouble-free to ship as simple consumer goods like couches and microwaves. There are companies who may need LTL trucking for items that are potentially hazardous. There is great insurance risk in transporting dangerous goods via ground transportation; if such shipments travel through high-density urban areas or even regular residential area on their way to their final destination it could cost more to route the freight. Working with a professional LTL trucking company that has thoroughly researched the steps involved in shipping such goods is a critical but necessary step.

Working With Nats Canada Is Another Way To Save On Ltl Trucking

As one of Canada’s best 3PL providers, NATS Canada offers a full-service menu for companies reliant on trucking and shipping. Our vast network of carriers includes the best LTL trucking companies in North America, with flatbed and dry van expertise being a large part of our capabilities. We deliver reliable and cost-effective solutions for businesses in all industries looking for low-cost LTL cargo solutions provided by Canadian LTL carriers. We can quickly provide a competitive quote and then follow through with expert services including taking care of the administration of shipments heading through customs, professional tracking, and other related needs. Our reputation in the industry for LTL trucking solutions is the reason why we remain your best choice for reducing LTL expense.

For professional LTL trucking services, work directly with NATS Canada.