Plan for Holiday Business Shipping Success
Compare freight options, plan seasonal shipments earlier, and keep your business ready when holiday orders start moving.
FreightCenter helps you enter shipment details, compare available freight rates, book shipments, and get expert help when you need it.
Tools and Services for Your Holiday Shipping Plan
Freight Calculator LTL Freight Shipping Truckload Freight Services Expedited Freight Services
Holiday Business Shipping Success starts with knowing what needs to move, when it needs to move, and which freight option fits the shipment.
FreightCenter gives businesses one place to request rates, compare shipping choices, and book today’s shipment while building a simpler process for the next one.
Thousands of businesses trust FreightCenter to move their freight faster, smarter, and cheaper! From unbeatable rates to top-notch service, our customers are raving about their shipping success.
See why they keep coming back!
Award-Winning Service, Trusted by Shippers Everywhere!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why FreightCenter Supports Holiday Business Shipping Success
Seasonal shipping creates more decisions at a time when your team may already be managing inventory, customer orders, suppliers, and cutoff dates. FreightCenter helps bring freight quoting and booking into one platform, with shipping experts available when a shipment needs more attention.
Benefits:
- Compare freight options in one place. Enter your shipment information and review available rate choices instead of requesting individual quotes one at a time.
- Choose a service that fits the shipment. Review LTL, truckload, expedited, and other available freight options based on what you’re shipping and how it needs to move.
- Get help when shipment details aren’t straightforward. FreightCenter shipping experts can assist when you have questions about service selection, freight class, equipment, or special pickup and delivery requirements.
- Reduce repeat booking work. Businesses shipping the same products can keep reliable packaged weights, dimensions, and other shipment details ready instead of rebuilding that information each time.
- Earn value from eligible repeat shipping. FreightCenter Shipping Rewards allows enrolled customers to earn points on eligible LTL shipments and view their balance through their account.
Build Your Holiday Freight Plan Before Orders Stack Up
A good holiday freight plan starts with the shipments you can predict. Identify incoming inventory, store replenishment, wholesale orders, equipment moves, and other seasonal freight that may need transportation before customer deadlines get close.
FreightCenter recommends preparing early, monitoring shipping supplies, setting clear cutoff dates, and communicating with employees, suppliers, customers, and shipping partners. The U.S. Small Business Administration also recommends businesses prepare for the holiday season by reviewing previous orders, stocking inventory, and making sure needed supplies are ready before demand increases.
Before requesting a rate, gather:
- Packaged shipment weight
- Final packaged length, width, and height
- Pickup ZIP code
- Delivery ZIP code
- Description of what you’re shipping
- Freight class when applicable
- Requested pickup date
- Pickup and delivery requirements
These details are used by our quoting tools to prepare applicable freight options.
Match the Service to the Holiday Shipment
Not every seasonal shipment needs the same type of transportation.
LTL freight shipping can make sense when you have palletized freight that doesn’t require a full trailer.
Truckload shipping is designed for shipments that need dedicated trailer space. Equipment, shipment footprint, weight, lane, schedule, and facility requirements can all affect the options available for the move.
Expedited freight is worth reviewing when a standard transit schedule doesn’t fit the shipment’s timing requirement. It can be considered for urgent pallets, replacement parts, equipment, inventory, and other time-sensitive commercial shipments.
Don’t choose a faster service simply because the calendar says December. Start with the actual pickup date, delivery requirement, shipment details, and available options.
Prepare Popular Products Before You Need the Quote
If your business repeatedly ships the same seasonal products, document their packaged dimensions and weight after the packaging process is finalized.
Measure the shipment as the carrier will receive it. For palletized or crated freight, that means measuring the outside dimensions of the prepared shipment rather than the product alone.
Keeping that information available can reduce repeated measuring and estimating when another order needs to move.
Don’t Leave Special Requirements Until Booking
A holiday shipping rate should reflect how the freight actually needs to be picked up and delivered.
Tell FreightCenter about applicable requirements such as:
- Liftgate service
- Residential pickup or delivery
- Limited-access locations
- Inside delivery
- Specific equipment requirements
- Time-sensitive service needs
Additional services can affect the freight rate, so including them when you request your quote gives you a better basis for comparing options.
Set Internal Cutoff Dates You Can Actually Use
Customer-facing holiday deadlines only work when your shipping team has enough time to prepare the freight.
Work backward from your required shipping schedule and account for your own order processing, picking, packing, palletizing, paperwork, and pickup preparation. We also recommend clearly communicating cutoff dates rather than leaving customers unsure about when an order needs to be placed.
Compare Before You Book
Holiday shipping rates can vary with shipment characteristics and service requirements. Instead of selecting a service based only on a familiar name or the first rate you see, compare the available choices using the same shipment information.
FreightCenter’s freight calculator is built to help businesses enter shipment details, compare available carrier options, and move from quoting to booking in one place.
That’s Shipping Handled.
Seasonal shipping may involve everything from routine replenishment to a shipment that suddenly needs a faster schedule. Explore the FreightCenter tools and services that can help you choose the right approach.
Enter your freight details and compare available shipping rates before booking your holiday shipment.
Review LTL freight options for palletized seasonal shipments that don't require an entire trailer.
Compare truckload options when seasonal inventory requires dedicated trailer space or specific equipment.
Review time-sensitive freight options when your required delivery schedule doesn't fit standard service.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
What Affects Holiday Freight Rates and Service Choices?
Holiday freight rates depend on the shipment you enter and the service requirements attached to it. Accurate information gives you a better basis for comparing the options available for your move.
Key factors include:
- Shipment dimensions: Length, width, and height show how much space the prepared freight occupies. Measure the outside dimensions after palletizing or crating.
- Shipment weight: Weight is used when preparing freight rates and, for applicable LTL shipments, works with dimensions when determining density.
- Origin and destination: Pickup and delivery locations define the shipping lane and are required inputs when FreightCenter prepares rate options.
- Freight class: Freight class can affect applicable LTL pricing and is based on shipment characteristics including density, handling, stowability, and liability.
- Pickup and delivery requirements: Liftgates, residential service, limited-access locations, inside delivery, and other added services can affect the rate.
- Timing: Requested pickup dates and time-sensitive requirements help determine which service options fit the shipment.
- Equipment or service type: LTL, truckload, expedited, and specialized equipment serve different shipment requirements and can produce different rate options.
- Shipping frequency: Frequency doesn’t replace the shipment-specific details used to prepare a rate, but repeat shippers can reduce preparation work by keeping accurate packaged measurements and shipment information on file.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Business Shipping Success
Q. What is the best first step toward Holiday Business Shipping Success?
Start by gathering accurate shipment information before requesting rates. Have your packaged weight, dimensions, origin, destination, shipment description, applicable freight class, timing, and special service requirements ready so you can compare relevant freight options.
Q. How do I get a holiday freight quote from FreightCenter?
Enter your shipment information into FreightCenter’s quote tool to review available freight rates. The quoting process asks for details such as shipping option, pickup and delivery locations, weight, dimensions, dates, and other shipment information.
Q. What information should I have before requesting a holiday shipping quote?
Have the final packaged shipment details ready whenever possible. This includes weight, length, width, height, pickup and delivery locations, a description of the shipment, applicable freight class, and any special pickup or delivery needs.
Q. Can I compare freight rates before I book?
Yes, FreightCenter lets customers review available freight rate options before choosing a shipment to book. Enter consistent and accurate shipment details so the options you’re comparing are based on the same shipping requirements.
Q. Should I use LTL or truckload for holiday inventory?
The better fit depends on how much freight you’re moving and the space or equipment it requires. LTL is intended for freight that doesn’t require an entire trailer, while truckload service is designed for shipments that need dedicated trailer space.
Q. When should I consider expedited freight during the holidays?
Consider expedited freight when a standard shipping schedule won’t meet your required delivery timing. FreightCenter offers expedited options for time-sensitive commercial shipments, but the right choice should be based on the shipment’s actual deadline and available services.
Q. Can FreightCenter help if I don't know my freight class?
Yes, FreightCenter provides freight-class tools and access to shipping experts. Weight, dimensions, density, product characteristics, and other information can help determine the class needed for an applicable LTL shipment.
Q. Do special pickup or delivery services change my holiday freight rate?
They can. Services such as liftgate delivery, residential pickup or delivery, limited-access service, inside delivery, and specific time requirements may add costs, so identify them when requesting the quote.
Q. Should repeat holiday shippers create a FreightCenter account?
An account is useful for businesses that plan to return to FreightCenter for additional quotes and bookings. Account access also supports participation in FreightCenter Shipping Rewards when the customer and shipment meet current program requirements.
Q. Can holiday shipments earn FreightCenter Shipping Rewards?
Eligible LTL shipments can currently earn FreightCenter Shipping Rewards points for enrolled customers. Customers can create or sign into a FreightCenter account and enroll through the Rewards module; current program rules should be reviewed before booking.
Q. How can my business reduce repetitive work for recurring holiday shipments?
Keep accurate packaged shipment information available for products you ship repeatedly. Recording the weight, dimensions, description, class when applicable, and common service requirements can reduce the amount of information your team has to rebuild for each new quote.
Q. What should I do when I'm ready to ship holiday inventory?
Request a FreightCenter quote using the most accurate shipment information available. Compare the applicable rate and service choices, ask a shipping expert for help if something is unclear, and book the option that fits your shipment requirements.
3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Holiday Business Shipping Success
Your Holiday Freight Plan Starts With the Packaged Shipment
The dimensions that matter are the dimensions of the freight as the carrier will receive it. Measuring after palletizing or crating gives you better information for requesting and comparing rates.
The Fastest Option Isn't Automatically the Right Holiday Option
Expedited freight is intended for shipments whose delivery requirements don't fit a standard schedule. Compare the timing your shipment actually needs before choosing a faster service.
Repeat Holiday Shipments Can Get Easier to Quote
Businesses that repeatedly ship the same packaged products can keep accurate weights and dimensions on file instead of starting the measurement process from scratch for each quote.
