Five Myths About Freight Shipping, Busted!
When it comes to the freight industry, there are many misconceptions regarding shipping and the processes involved. To outsiders, freight shipping may come across as a complicated and expensive venture that doesn’t cater to every business. However, these myths can lead to confusion and missed opportunities.
In reality, freight shipping provides a wide range of flexible and cost-effective solutions, making it accessible to anyone. Understanding the freight industry can help you make more informed and efficient decisions. Let’s bust some common myths and reveal the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Freight Shipping is Too Complicated for Beginners
Dimensions, freight class, Bill of Lading…oh my! Freight shipping can come across as intimidating, especially to those who haven’t dipped their toes into it before.
Between the rules, regulations, and modes of transportation, it can seem too overwhelming to get your items from point A to point B. But this is just another misconception about freight shipping. Nowadays, the majority of carriers provide many resources, tools, and support teams.
And even after the myth is busted and it still seems too overwhelming, working with a third-party logistics company is a great option. A third-party logistics company manages the shipping process for you by walking you through every step from beginning to end while offering continuous support, erasing the worry that freight shipping is too complicated.
Myth #2: Freight Shipping is Only for Large Businesses
Considering shipping freight, but you own a small business and don’t think freight shipping is suitable for your needs? Think again. Most people believe the myth that freight shipping is only suitable for big companies or large-scale operations, but that’s not the case.
Whether you’re a small business or even just an individual needing to ship your items because of a move or other personal reasons, freight shipping is an option. There is an array of shipping options available for shipping anything, and whether it’s large and bulky items or smaller ones, it can be shipped!
Myth #3: Freight Shipping is Always Expensive
That brings us to busting myth #3. While some freight options can be pricey depending on the mode of shipping and the amount of freight being shipped, there are many affordable methods available depending on your needs – especially for people who are small business owners or just looking to ship an item for personal use.
Of course, factors such as distance, weight, and service can influence the cost. But working with a 3PL and using modes such as less-than-truckload shipping (LTL), which allows you to share space on a truck, can reduce shipping costs.
Myth #4: All Freight Shipments Require a Full Truckload (FTL)
When most people think of freight shipping, the idea of utilizing a large semi-truck comes to mind. This isn’t entirely false; a significant amount of freight is transported by truck every day. However, not all freight shipments require a full truckload – there are lots of other methods of transportation.
Depending on what you need to ship and where you need to ship it to, there are different modes, including shipping by sea, air freight, rail freight, and even utilizing only the space you need in a truck by shipping less-than-truckload (LTL).
Myth #5: Freight Shipping Take a Long Time
While sea freight has the longest shipping time – which can range from 20 to 60 days depending on the distance and route – general freight shipping time isn’t as long as you may think. Freight shipping takes anywhere from two days to one week.
However, carriers do offer quicker delivery times through expedited shipping, depending on your specific needs, especially if you’re shipping perishable goods.
Now that we’ve busted some common myths about freight shipping, you can now transport your items with ease and comfort with help from experts, any way you’d like, and all without breaking the bank!
By understanding the real options available to use, you’re better equipped to make informed decisions that suit your needs. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back – discover the world of freight shipping and enjoy a stress-free experience.
