What is Freight?
The term freight can be defined as goods, items, or commodities weighing more than 150 lbs., requiring specialized transport methods.
What is Freight?
If you’ve ordered from Amazon, you probably have a vague idea of how package deliveries work. The customer orders, your item is packaged and put on a delivery truck or van, and your package is on your front step within a few days (maybe weeks if you didn’t order from an express delivery website).
But when you order stuff from Amazon, the package is usually small, or at least enough to where one person can carry it to your front step. What do you do when your package is something like long steel pipes? Or how about a bronze horse statue or a grocery store worth of food and beverages? These items can’t usually be delivered by the usual delivery companies, like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS, and involve lifting heavy or fragile goods from one place to their destination. These items are what we call freight.
Freight refers to oversized items or large quantities delivered in bulk through various transportation methods. These modes include train, ship, plane, or truck, with the last one being the most common. There are many ways to ship your items by freight, depending on your shipment’s quantity and fragility. Freight shipping is a major part of the logistics industry; we wouldn’t have all the products on the shelves at a store or delivered to your home without teams of workers, drivers, and carriers moving freight around the country and worldwide.
Learn more about freight and how it works below.
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Why Choose FreightCenter for Freight Shipping?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
What’s The Difference Between Freight and Parcel?
Parcels are a good or small collection of goods packaged and delivered by mail. Freight and parcels are often mistaken because they are both shipping types. Here are some common misconceptions to give you a better understanding:
- Freight is the shipment of large products or large amounts of items, often more significant than 150 lbs. At the same time, a parcel is a shipment of one or many individually shipped packages weighing in at less than 150 lbs.
- Freight delivery is curbside without moving assistance. Your package will not be brought up to you or brought inside unless booked at shipping. If you need those services, you would want to learn more about white glove delivery or inside delivery. On the other hand, a parcel is brought to the mailbox or doorstep and often hand-delivered to you. You can customize where your item is dropped off, like at your back door, porch, or parcel locker.
- Freight delivered via semi-trailer uses larger trucks, restricting certain shipping areas, such as areas with tricky turns, gates, small streets, etc. Smaller trucks deliver shipments with parcels, making it easier for the driver to maneuver through limited access areas.
- To deliver freight, carriers may need to utilize accessorials, which are additional services to help deliver the cargo. This includes items like a liftgate attached to the back of a truck to lift freight from the ground up to the trailer, or white glove delivery, which has carriers handle items with extra care and attention. Parcels don’t require additional help or services since they are easy for drivers to carry and deliver.
Parcels usually start as part of a bulk of goods in a freight delivery; they are delivered from a manufacturer or supplier to a fulfillment center or warehouse facility, waiting until a customer orders a specific commodity. The good is then packaged into a parcel (insulated bag, box, or case), labeled, and shipped out as a regular parcel delivery.
There are specific goods, however, that absolutely cannot be shipped by a parcel delivery service. These oversized items may need special handling and equipment, such as a flatbed truck or multiple escorts.
Types of Freight Shipping Transportation Modes
Freight can be shipped via four transportation modes: rail, ocean, air, and truck.
Rail: Freight can be shipped on a train. Unlike passenger rail (which includes railroad companies like Amtrak), freight rail consists of several class-level railroad companies that travel on rail lines throughout the country to transport freight. They may have lines running through ports or terminals that allow for switching, intermodal services, or transloading. The Class 1 railroads are the most famous freight railway companies, including Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
Ocean: Freight transported on ocean vessels is put inside metal rectangular boxes called containers. These containers can keep items safe and secure during transport, which can take months to go from one port to another. Once a container reaches shore and completes customs clearance, it can be stored on the port until the receiver is ready to have it delivered, or it can be shipped by rail or truck to a distribution center to be broken down and shipped in new shipments or shipped directly to the receiver.
Air: Freight can be transported by air via a cargo airplane or drone from domestic and international destinations. This is the fastest way to ship freight, since it only takes hours for a cargo airplane to go from point A to point B. This is also how parcel packages are delivered long distances, so many parcel delivery companies have air cargo divisions such as FedEx and UPS. This is also an expensive way to send freight since it’s being expedited.
Truck: This is the most common method of domestic freight transportation. The typical truck used to transport freight is the semi-trailer, a large rig attached to a trailer. Other types of trucks can transport loads if the load is not suited for the average semi trailer, such as flatbeds, step decks, refrigerated (reefers), and lowboys. This is also the least expensive transportation mode, though it also has different options for shipping your freight on a trailer (see below for details).
Shippers can choose to use one or a combination of these modes of transportation. If used in combination, it is called intermodal shipping; for example, an item can start on an ocean vessel in a container and then be loaded onto a train to be transported to a terminal; the loads are then sorted and loaded into trucks to send to their final destination. This creates an optimized shipping route that reduces wasted miles and shipping costs.
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.
Rail shipping is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation method that utilizes trains to move goods over long distances. It's known for its efficiency in handling large volumes of cargo, making it a sustainable and economical choice for businesses seeking reliable freight transport options.
Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to meet urgent delivery needs. It prioritizes speed and quick turnaround, ensuring that packages or goods reach their destination faster than standard shipping options. Expedited shipping is the go-to choice when time-sensitive deliveries are essential, providing businesses and individuals with reliable and prompt service for critical shipments.
White glove shipping is a premium service that goes beyond standard delivery, offering meticulous handling, specialized packaging, and in-home setup or installation for valuable or delicate items, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers.
Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a smart logistics solution for businesses with smaller shipments. It combines multiple smaller shipments into a single truckload, optimizing space and reducing costs. LTL shipping offers affordability and efficiency while ensuring timely delivery, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to save on transportation expenses without compromising on service quality.
How Does Freight Shipping Work?
Every freight transportation has a particular way of booking and shipping loads. We’ll be focusing on truck shipping, as this is the most common type and has some unique steps necessary for a successful shipment.
To begin, shippers must have all information on their freight and where it is going to be sent. The shipper must also determine their commodities’ size, weight, and quantity to ship freight. This will determine what kind of shipping option they can utilize. This will also determine your shipping rate since items will cost more or less depending on their weight, density, stowability, fragility, and liability.
The following are the different types of freight shipping to choose from:
LTL (Less Than Truckload): For shipments that are more significant than a parcel, don’t fill an entire truck. Shippers are allowed to pay only for the space their shipment occupies. By using capacity sharing, shipping LTL freight reduces shippers’ costs. This is one of the most popular freight shipping methods because it is cheaper and more convenient; however, since freight shipments of all shapes and sizes share the same trailer space, there is an increased risk of damage during transport. It is also not the fastest method, as LTL freight makes multiple stops at its destination.
Full Truckload: This involves transporting goods that require an entire semi-trailer and is often a practical option for large shipments. This truck can be filled as much as possible and transported to your desired destination. This is a more expensive venture than LTL, but it comes with a few benefits: shippers have an entire trailer to themselves, they save money if the shipment is large enough, and the truck only travels from the pickup location to its destination; it does not handle any other deliveries.
Intermodal: Transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation such as truck, train, boat, plane, etc. Intermodal shipping reduces cargo handling, improves security, reduces damage and loss, and allows freight to be transported faster. For example, intermodal shipping would be used if cargo needs to be shipped from China to Austin, Texas. The freight would be brought by a cargo vessel to the Port of L.A., where it would be dragged by a drayage truck to a terminal, where a long hauler truck would deliver it to the Austin Terminal.
Expedited: Allows urgent shipments to be delivered quickly, typically by truck or plane, often moving directly from pick up to delivery with few stops. Expedited shipping involves handling critical or time-sensitive loads; there are usually no accessorials on this type of shipping. However, while this gets items delivered quicker than traditional freight shipping, it is also very expensive and not always available during certain days.
Once you have selected your shipping option, you can book your freight shipping order. You can do this in a couple of ways:
- You can book directly with a carrier. You will need to research what carriers will accept your load, and you’ll need to get quotes from several carriers before making a decision. While this is the most direct way of getting your freight delivered, it can also be much more expensive, and the carrier may not have additional accessorials and
- You can use a freight brokerage or 3PL to help with booking. These companies pool quotes from their network of carriers and present them to the shipper. Once a shipper has chosen a carrier, a freight broker or agent assists the shipper in filing paperwork, tracking the shipment, and solving any issues along the way.
If you want more information on how to freight ship your order, you can view our page on the freight shipping process.
Learn More About Freight with FreightCenter
There’s a lot more to freight than what is discussed here. You will need to learn how to package your freight, what to do about specialized freight like perishables and valuables, some of the services you can use to enhance your shipping experience, and more.
Luckily, FreightCenter can help you learn the ins and outs of freight. We’re a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that’s been a part of the freight shipping business for over 25 years. We’re committed to helping our customers have the best freight shipping experience without breaking their budget. We are connected to over 50 freight carriers nationwide, which we leverage to offer discounted rates you won’t find anywhere else. We also provide tailored solutions to your shipping needs, including expedited shipping, white glove services, and specialized freight shipping.
No matter what your freight looks like, we can ship it! If you’re ready to try freight shipping, try our free online quote tool. This will allow you to get discounted quotes from our carrier network in seconds to compare and choose from. Or you can talk to one of our live agents at (800) 716-7608. We’re here to make freight shipping easy and affordable!
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freight
Q. What is freight shipping?
Freight shipping, or cargo or freight transportation, refers to transporting goods, commodities, or merchandise by land, air, or sea. It involves the movement of large quantities of goods from one location to another, typically using specialized carriers or freight services.
Q. How does freight shipping differ from other shipping methods?
Unlike traditional parcel shipping, which is typically used for smaller, individual shipments, freight shipping is designed for more extensive and heavier loads. Freight shipments often require specialized handling, equipment, and documentation due to their size, weight, and volume. Additionally, freight shipping is commonly used for commercial or industrial purposes, such as transporting goods between manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or consumers.
Q. What are the different modes of freight transportation?
Freight can be transported using various modes of transportation, including trucking (road freight), rail freight, air freight, and ocean freight. Each mode offers distinct advantages and is chosen based on the destination, transit time, cost, and nature of the goods transported.
Q. What factors influence the cost of freight shipping?
Several factors can influence the cost of freight shipping, including the weight and dimensions of the shipment, the distance traveled, the mode of transportation used, the shipping speed or service level selected, any additional services required (such as insurance or specialized handling), fuel prices, market demand, and regulatory compliance costs. Understanding these factors can help shippers estimate and manage their shipping costs effectively.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Freight Shipping
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
