How do I get a volume LTL rate?

Everyday, LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments are booked and transported across the United States. For shippers, LTL provides a tremendous opportunity to ship freight if your shipment is only a couple of pallets. But when your LTL shipment is a little too big for a normal LTL transportation, and still too small to be considered as a truckload, you may worry about receiving an affordable LTL shipping rate. That is why a volume rate may come in handy for you. A volume rate is applied when you are transporting a larger than usual LTL shipment. Although the specifics vary from each carrier, generally speaking, this volume rate, also known as a spot rate, applies to LTL shipments greater than 5-6 pallets, over 5000-7000 pounds, over 10-12 feet in length and more than 750 cubic feet.

Of course, there are some shippers who may only be shipping 1 or 2 pallets, but their shipment weighs over 8000 pounds. They may wonder if they would and should get a volume LTL rate. With each carrier having a different volume rate policy, you might want to check with your freight forwarder to determine the specific LTL volume requirements. Unlike regular LTL shipments, volume LTL maintains different transit times between locations. And the pricing for a volume LTL rate is also different due to the size and weight of your shipments. That is why proper planning is very important.

Many shippers who frequently use LTL shipping never receive a volume rate due to smaller cargo. But some shippers do encounter volume LTL from time to time, and that is why it is important to understand it.