Does it matter what day my freight moves?
No. Unlike airlines, which provide different rates based on the day of the week, LTL shipments move at the same rate regardless of which day they are picked up. LTL carriers typically operate Monday through Friday.

Does ShippingDiscounts.com provide packaging?
We do not provide packaging, but we are happy to help you set up a shipment once your item is packaged. Most items need to be on a pallet. High-value or sensitive items, such as motorcycles, will need to be crated before you ship.

Can ShippingDiscounts.com move my furniture?
We can move crated or boxed furniture. We cannot move loose furniture or furniture that is sitting atop a pallet without exterior packaging.

During the holiday season, it helps to be informed about your shipping options- not just for delivering gifts to loved ones, but for shipping the items you need to prepare your home, such as wood stoves, Yule logs (yes, we get requests about these!), and materials for repairs like new sinks or molding. Here are our tips and advice about shipping during the holidays.

Typically, freight carriers do not work on holidays, Christmas Eve, or the Friday following Thanksgiving. Additionally, there is more freight being moved at this time of year, which causes delays when trucks are filled to capacity more quickly. These are both good reasons why you should plan on booking your shipping as early as you can during the holidays.

If you are a vendor, and especially if your industry gets a boost during the holidays (toy suppliers come to mind!), make sure you have your ducks in a row for freight shipping. If you operate out of your home, consider using a terminal or a commercial space for freight pickups and deliveries to save money. If it’s your first time shipping freight, consult our guide to freight pick-ups and our tips for small business owners .

Perhaps the most misunderstood term in LTL freight shipping is freight class. Even experienced shippers can be confused by freight class. However, to get an LTL shipping quote, you need either to know your freight class or to know enough about your item to help a sales rep look up the National Motor Freight Classification. Typically, this means knowing what the item is made of, how it is packaged, or what it is used for. Freight class is not subjectively determined by a carrier or broker; it is determined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association.

There are 18 classes, numbered 50 through 500, as follows:  50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500. Every item imaginable has both a NMFC number and a corresponding freight class. Some examples are:

Automobile engine, class 85, NMFC # 120790

Salad dressing, class 60, NMFC # 73227

Of course, freight classes change from year to year to accommodate changes in the marketplace. New products are being invented all the time!

Shippers often ask, “What is freight class for? How does it affect my price?” The best explanation is that the class is a measure of how dense, breakable, and valuable an item is. The higher the density and/or value, the higher the class, and the greater the cost to ship. This is because items that are unlikely to break are unlikely to result in claims and extra costs for the LTL carrier.

Occasionally, packaging an item in a more secure way, such as in a crate instead of on a pallet, will result in a lower freight class and a lower overall price. This is generally true of machinery and engines.

We hope this shed some light for you on this tricky topic! The next time you need an LTL quote, we’ll be happy to look up your freight class for you.

If you are buying large items from an online seller such as Ebay, IronPlanet, or a liquidation center, it’s important to consider your shipping needs. LTL shipping quotes for goods purchased online are among the most common requests we receive at ShippingDiscounts.com. Here are our notes about how to make your online shopping and shipping as smooth as possible.

First, find out the weight and dimensions from the seller so you can get an accurate quote. If the seller doesn’t know or doesn’t have a scale, try looking up the item online elsewhere to find product specifications. Make sure to factor in the weight of the packaging, especially if your item will be in a wood crate. Wood crates can be heavy!

Next, ask the seller if you will need a purchase order number or another identifying number for your freight, particularly if you are buying from a large operation that handles lots of freight. Some businesses will not release freight to the carrier without a number.

Once you’re ready to book a pick-up, make sure you know your seller’s name, business name, and phone number. Unlike regular mail trucks, freight trucks may not visit the seller’s location regularly, and the driver may need directions. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you know it’s coming from a commercial address so you don’t get an unexpected residential pickup fee.

With these tips, you’ll be able to buy and ship large items online with ease. Happy shopping!