Shipping Rate
Find the best shipping rates, with access to nationwide carriers and high-volume discounts. Get an instant online quote to get started. Save up to 95%.
Find the Best Shipping Rate with FreightCenter
Why waste a ton of time comparing freight carriers, one at a time, to find the best shipping rate when, with just one FreightCenter quote, you can instantly reach the best freight rates and transit times from multiple carriers at once?
We work with an extensive network of Less-than-Truckload (LTL) and Truckload (TL) freight companies so that you can access various services and prices. On top of that, you get access to high-volume discounts as great as 95% off.
Find the Best LTL Shipping Rate
When you lack the time, money, and resources to contact over 50 plus carriers individually, turn to FreightCenter, we offer the convenience of finding all the best LTL rates in one place. LTL shipping is ideal for businesses and individuals with freight shipments of less than 10,000 pounds.
Just one call to us or running one quote online will instantly grant you rates from our extensive carrier network. You won’t have to guess which carrier services your lane or gives the best shipping lane rate. FreightCenter shipping rates software handles that part for you. We work hard to bring you the cheapest prices for your ltl shipping needs.
Find the Best Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping Rate
Our dedicated truckload division has over 25 years of experience matching business cargo with loads. Finding the best shipping rate can mean negotiating with many trucking companies, which means spending time on the phone, which takes you away from other vital business needs.
Let our truckload agents spend time and effort matching your cargo with the appropriate carrier based on your commodities, origin, and destination locations. We will pair your load with a trusted freight carrier at a low shipping cost.
Why Choose Us For A Freight Quote?
- Shipping quotes anytime
- Get Freight shipping quotes to anywhere in the U.S. & Canada.
- Unbeatable discounts on your freight LTL, truckload, rail, air, and more
- Automated freight tracking, paperwork & invoices
- Manage all quotes & shipments in one place
- 24+ years of logistics experience working for you!
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 Choose FreightCenter To Get A Shipping Rate?
We are an award-winning logistics company and an American veteran-owned business. We bring a lot to the table regarding less-than-truckload and full-truckload services. Our history, competitive pricing, and level of service are unmatched in the industry. Over the years and many miles, we have formed a dedicated and respected network of partners in the industry to help customers meet deadlines.
Our mission is to meet and exceed customer expectations in all that we do. We take care of truckload freight shipping from pickup to delivery. Excellent customer service is our hallmark, and it goes a long way in building a relationship of trust. Customers who select FreightCenter to handle their truckload freight shipment trust us to do the job.
How Do We Get Such Great Discounts?
Shipping volume plays a crucial role in shipping rates. Many individuals and small to medium sized companies need help with negotiating rates. Carriers only want to give cheap rates if you are willing to sign a long-term contract. They need help finding cheap shipping rates. Since many carriers don’t specialize in more than one or two services, carrier contracts can be limited.
That’s where working with a third-party logistics provider like FreightCenter is handy. We’ve been building relationships with the carriers in our nationwide network since 1998. That means we’ve got long-standing contracts that keep our rates down.
Our extensive customer base helps too. We service hundreds of freight shippers a day. That high volume helps us get great discounts to pass on to you.
How to Get an Accurate Freight Shipping Rate
Double Check Shipment Details
The first step to getting an accurate shipping rate is ensuring your shipment details are correct.
Make sure you have your origin and destination addresses right. It’s also essential to correctly note if they are commercial or residential locations. Bring up the site on google maps and see if the address is a business or a non-commercial location without easy access for a tractor-trailer. Our trained freight experts will take this step to ensure accurate pricing. If the area is non-commercial, we will give you alternatives, like bringing your freight to a freight carrier’s hub or terminal to reduce costs.
Even more important than that is the size of your shipment. The weight and dimensions must be accurate and include all packaging and crating material (including the pallets). To determine the weight of your shipment, we recommend using a certified scale or referring to the manufacturing specifications. Then add the weight of your packaging materials. Finding the dimensions is more manageable but measure the total footprint. The carrier will price your shipment with the highest, widest, and longest points.
Carriers will complete an audit of your shipment at the freight terminal. Any discrepancies found can result in costly billing adjustments.
Sometimes you can get a cheaper shipping rate by packaging your freight differently. Some items are cheaper to ship if packaged in a crate than just strapped to a pallet. Using a crate to protect the cargo can lower the shipping rate by reducing the risk of damage.
Along the same lines, it is packaging an item to reduce its footprint that can lower your freight class. It may put you into a lower freight class category and lower the shipping rate.
Choose the Right Services
The second step is ensuring you’ve requested the services necessary to transport your shipment. For example, can the consignee only receive shipments in the morning? Make sure to ask for guaranteed delivery before noon.
Is the delivery address a residence or a home-based business (the equivalent of a residential place)? You’ll need residential delivery and a truck with a lift gate.
Would it be cheaper to use a carrier that bills the freight charges off of dynamic pricing and not freight class? Being a 3PL with access to many different shipping companies and pricing structures benefits our customers directly. We will shop the carriers to find you the best shipping prices.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
A cornerstone of the logistics industry involves transporting goods that fill an entire truck trailer from the shipper's origin to the destination. FTL shipping rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for businesses, impacting their bottom line and supply chain efficiency. Understanding the nuances of FTL shipping rates, including factors that influence them and strategies to optimize costs, is essential for businesses seeking to streamline their transportation operations.
PTL utilizes space-efficient methods while maintaining the advantages of reduced handling and transit times, combining the benefits of LTL and FTL, unlike Full Truckload (FTL) shipping, where a single shipment fills the entire truck trailer.
LTL shipping allows businesses to share trailer space and costs with other shippers, making it a vital component of modern supply chain management. Understanding the intricacies of LTL shipping, including its benefits, challenges, and rate determination, is crucial for businesses seeking to optimize their freight transportation strategies.
These services cater to goods that require extra attention, handling, equipment, or expertise due to their size, shape, fragility, value, or regulatory requirements. Understanding the complexities of specialized shipping rates, including the factors influencing costs and strategies for efficient management, is essential for businesses dealing with non-standard shipments and seeking customized solutions for their logistics needs.
Many factors, including distance, mode of transport, shipping volume, cargo type, customs duties, and more, influence these rates. Understanding international shipping rates is essential for businesses engaged in global commerce to optimize costs, plan logistics, and ensure smooth cross-border operations.
Airfreight offers speed, reliability, and accessibility, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking to expedite shipments and meet tight deadlines. Understanding the intricacies of air cargo shipping rates, including influencing factors and strategic considerations, is essential for companies looking to optimize their supply chain operations and make informed transportation decisions.
Ocean freight is a cornerstone of global trade due to its capacity to carry vast goods across continents. Understanding the complexities of container shipping rates, including factors influencing rates and strategies for optimization, is crucial for businesses engaged in global commerce seeking to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and efficient supply chain management.
Expedited shipping is characterized by its focus on speed and timeliness, enabling businesses to fulfill customer demands, respond to supply chain disruptions, and optimize inventory management. Understanding the nuances of expedited shipping rates, including factors influencing them and strategies for cost-effective solutions, is essential for businesses aiming to balance urgency with budget constraints.
Cold chain logistics involves transporting perishable and temperature-sensitive items such as food, pharmaceuticals, and certain chemicals. Understanding temperature-controlled shipping rates, including factors influencing costs and strategies for efficient management, is essential for businesses that rely on maintaining a controlled environment for their products.
This specialized service is essential for industries such as construction, mining, energy, and manufacturing that require the movement of large and heavy machinery, equipment, and structures. Understanding the intricacies of heavy-haul shipping rates, including influencing factors and strategies for efficient management, is crucial for businesses dealing with extraordinary freight transportation needs.
Rail transport is known for its capacity to carry large volumes of cargo, making it a preferred choice for industries dealing with bulk commodities, such as agriculture, mining, energy, and manufacturing. Understanding the intricacies of rail shipping rates, including the factors influencing costs and strategies for efficient management, is essential for businesses aiming to optimize their supply chain operations and environmental impact.
This service goes beyond standard shipping by offering extra care and attention to detail and often includes services like inside delivery, assembly, installation, and even debris removal. Understanding the intricacies of white glove shipping rates, including factors influencing costs and strategies for efficient management, is essential for businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction and require a high level of service.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
International Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Mode of Transport: Opting for either air or ocean transportation substantially impacts the rates. Air freight is generally faster but more expensive than ocean freight, which offers greater capacity for large shipments.
- Distance and Route: Similar to domestic shipping, the distance, and specific route significantly determine international shipping rates. Longer distances and complex routes typically result in higher costs.
- Cargo Weight and Volume: The weight and volume of the cargo influence rates, particularly in ocean and air freight, where carriers charge based on chargeable weight, which considers both factors.
- Container Type and Size: The type and size of containers used can affect rates for ocean freight. Different container types (standard, high cube, reefer, etc.) have varying costs.
- Freight Incoterms: The chosen Incoterm (terms of sale) between buyer and seller can impact shipping costs. Some terms require the seller to cover transportation expenses up to a certain point, affecting the overall rate.
- Customs and Duties: Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are crucial to international shipping costs. These vary by country and are typically paid by the importer.
Air Cargo Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Weight and Volume: The weight and volume of the cargo play a significant role in determining air cargo rates. Airlines typically charge based on the actual or volumetric weight (whichever is higher) to account for space usage.
- Distance and Route: Like other shipping modes, distance, and route are vital factors. Longer distances, especially on international routes, often result in higher rates.
- Airline and Carrier: Different airlines and air cargo carriers have varying rate structures based on their networks, capacities, and services.
- Fuel Costs: Fluctuations in fuel prices can impact air cargo rates, leading to adjustments to cover fuel expenses.
- Origin and Destination: The airports involved in the journey affect rates. Airports with higher handling fees or congestion may result in increased costs.
Container Or Ocean Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Container Type and Size: Different container types (dry, reefer, flat rack, etc.) cater to varying cargo needs and affect rates. The container size, such as 20-foot or 40-foot containers, also impacts pricing.
- Container Load: Rates can be based on full container loads (FCL) or less than container loads (LCL). FCL offers more control and potentially lower rates for larger shipments.
- Cargo Weight and Volume: The weight and volume of the cargo significantly influence rates. Carriers often charge based on chargeable weight or cubic meters, whichever is higher.
- Distance and Route: Similar to other shipping modes, the distance and route the vessel takes influence rates. Longer routes may result in higher costs.
- Seasonal Demand: Fluctuations, peak shipping periods, and availability of vessel capacity can impact pricing.
Expedited Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Urgency and Delivery Time: Urgency and desired delivery time are fundamental to expedited shipping rates. Faster delivery timelines often come with higher costs.
- Transportation Mode: Expedited shipping can involve various modes such as air, dedicated ground transport, or express services. Airfreight is usually the fastest but tends to be more expensive.
- Distance and Route: Similar to standard shipping, the distance between origin and destination, as well as the specific route, plays a role in determining rates.
- Weight and Volume: Heavier or larger shipments may incur higher costs due to the need for dedicated space or expedited handling.
Expedited Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Urgency and Delivery Time: Urgency and desired delivery time are fundamental to expedited shipping rates. Faster delivery timelines often come with higher costs.
- Transportation Mode: Expedited shipping can involve various modes such as air, dedicated ground transport, or express services. Airfreight is usually the fastest but tends to be more expensive.
- Distance and Route: Similar to standard shipping, the distance between origin and destination, as well as the specific route, plays a role in determining rates.
- Weight and Volume: Heavier or larger shipments may incur higher costs due to the need for dedicated space or expedited handling.
Temperature-Controlled Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Mode of Transport: The method of transport affects rates due to factors such as insulation, ventilation, and available temperature-controlled facilities.
- Equipment and Technology: Utilizing temperature-controlled containers, reefer trucks, or climate-controlled cargo holds requires specialized equipment and technology, contributing to rates.
- Accessorial Services: Services like temperature monitoring, tracking, and expedited delivery tailored to temperature-sensitive goods come with additional costs.
Heavy-Haul Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Cargo Weight and Dimensions: The weight and dimensions of the cargo are the primary factors influencing rates. Oversized and overweight loads require special handling, equipment, and permits.
- Equipment Required: Specialized equipment such as flatbeds, lowboys, or multi-axle trailers may be needed depending on the cargo, which affects rates.
- Permitting and Regulations: Heavy-haul shipments often require specialized permits to ensure compliance with road regulations and safety standards, adding to the overall cost.
- Route Complexity: The route taken and the specific roads and bridges encountered can impact rates due to road restrictions, detours, and tolls.
- Escort Services: Oversized loads may require escort vehicles to ensure safe transit, contributing to additional costs.
White Glove Shipping Rates
Factors Influencing Rates:
- Type of Goods: The nature of the goods being shipped influences rates. High-value, fragile furniture, electronics, and specialized equipment require extra care and attention.
- Delivery Scope: The range of services provided—inside delivery, room placement, assembly, installation, and removal of packaging materials—can impact rates.
- Special Handling Requirements: If the goods require special handling, such as temperature control or protective packaging, rates may increase.
Get Started With Guidance From FreightCenter
Run a free instant quote and get shipping and transit time estimates from multiple carriers. Need help? We have a team of freight experts ready to answer your questions. They can help you determine which freight company is best for your shipment or what services are required. They can also help ensure you get the best shipping rate possible. Give them a call at 800.716.7608.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Shipping Rates
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Shipping Rates
Instant Rates
FreightCenter lets you get shipping quotes anytime and anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. By calling FreightCenter, you can get quotes for Mexico and international locations when you need to export or import goods.
Trusted Carriers
FreightCenter has access to a network of trusted carriers and uses a proprietary system that compares rates and services from multiple freight carriers to find the best option for your needs.
Custom Freight Solutions
FreightCenter's team of experts can tailor custom freight solutions according to your precise requirements. This extends to a variety of scenarios, including government and residential shipping. FreightCenter can adeptly formulate solutions that cater to your specialized needs.
