Several key factors demand your attention when selecting a shipping method for your products. You need to balance speed, costs, and visibility for your shipments. Full Truckload (FTL) shipping is an effective way to address these priorities. This method allows you to use the entire space of a truck for your freight, ensuring that your goods have a dedicated and direct route to their destination.
FTL shipping optimises the logistics process, leading to timely deliveries while minimising the risk of damage. By focusing solely on one shipment, you eliminate the complexities that come with sharing truck space. Choosing FTL can significantly improve your shipping efficiency when transporting larger loads.
In logistics, understanding what FTL shipping is crucial for making informed decisions about your freight operations.
FTL Shipping: What You Need to Know?
Full Truckload (FTL) shipping is a logistics method where an entire truck is contracted to transport goods from one place to another. Unlike Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, FTL shipments do not share space with other shippers. This makes it ideal for businesses with enough freight to fill a truck or require exclusive use.
In FTL shipping, the carrier sends a truck to the pickup location at a scheduled time. Once the goods are loaded, they are sealed in the truck, and the vehicle heads directly to the destination without stopping. Since the truck is dedicated to a single shipment, there is less handling of the goods, which reduces the chances of damage and speeds up the transportation process.
FTL is best for shippers with enough cargo to fill a trailer, typically 48 to 53 feet long. This method suits bulky shipments or requires special handling, such as temperature-controlled items. By choosing FTL services, businesses can avoid the additional fees and potential damage that may occur with Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipments.
The trucks used in FTL shipping can vary depending on the freight transport type. Dry vans, reefer trucks for temperature-sensitive goods, and flatbed trucks are commonly used. Businesses often choose FTL shipping for its cost-effectiveness, especially when they have enough freight to justify booking an entire truck.
As eCommerce is growing, the demand for FTL shipping is also increasing, making it an efficient solution for businesses aiming to maintain a steady flow of goods in their supply chain.
Advantages of FTL Shipping to eCommerce
FTL shipping is a valuable option for eCommerce businesses, making it a preferred choice for larger shipments. Let’s find out the advantages of FTL shipping and how it can boost efficiency for online retailers.
Faster Delivery Speeds
FTL shipping is known for its speed because the goods travel directly from the origin to the destination without any stops. Unlike other methods that involve multiple deliveries, FTL shipments avoid extra handling, which allows them to reach customers faster. This can lead to better customer satisfaction due to quicker delivery times.
Higher Security During Transit
Since FTL shipments don’t require the loading and unloading of goods at various points, less handling is involved. This increases the security of the shipment, reducing the risk of theft or tampering. FTL provides more security than other methods to ship expensive or sensitive items.
Cost-effective for Large Shipments
For eCommerce companies shipping bulk orders, FTL is a cost-effective option. FTL shipments can carry a higher payload, which reduces the need for multiple shipments. The ability to send large quantities at once can lead to savings in both time and money.
Easy Shipping Management
FTL shipping also offers simplicity in handling. With only one shipment to manage, businesses deal with fewer documents and coordination issues. The process results in fewer chances for errors, making it easier to keep track of shipments from start to finish.
The Benefits of Choosing FTL Shipping
FTL shipping offers several benefits, such as handling your goods carefully and delivering them promptly without unnecessary delays.
Increased Efficiency
FTL shipping boosts efficiency because the entire truck is dedicated to your freight alone. Fewer stops mean less time on the road and a faster overall delivery process. Additionally, FTL services work on guaranteed appointment times, so you know exactly when your goods will be picked up and delivered. This scheduling advantage allows you to align deliveries with your business needs, reducing wait times and optimising labour and inventory planning.
Fewer Touchpoints
FTL shipping means fewer touchpoints since your goods aren’t loaded or unloaded multiple times along the journey. The risk of damage or theft minimises with just one loading and one unloading. This simple process also allows you to use less packaging, reducing waste and costs. Additionally, fewer touchpoints mean better security, as you can lock and seal the trailer, knowing your goods won’t be tampered with during transit.
Better Visibility
When you choose FTL shipping, you get improved tracking and visibility of your freight. Knowing where your shipment is and when it will arrive helps you make more informed decisions. This level of visibility helps you control your supply chain, keeping inventory on track and avoiding costly out-of-stock situations. Your customers will also appreciate the real-time updates, ensuring a better service experience.
Dedicated Delivery for Your Goods
With FTL shipping, the truck is entirely dedicated to your goods. You can choose your preferred routes, schedules, and carriers. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor the shipping process to their needs and customer demands.
This also reduces the risk of delays or complications caused by other shipments. Since the truck is customised to fit your specific freight, specialised care is given to ensure safe delivery, providing greater confidence in their timely and secure arrival.
Service from Expert Drivers
FTL drivers often become experts in handling specific types of freight, especially when regularly transporting similar goods. This expertise ensures that your shipment is precisely loaded, transported, and unloaded. Having knowledgeable drivers adds an extra layer of reliability so your shipments will arrive in the best possible condition.
Insured and Protected
FTL shipping also provides an added layer of protection through insurance. The operators usually offer coverage for the goods being transported, giving you peace of mind knowing that your shipment is insured throughout the journey. This is especially beneficial for high-value or delicate items.
Understanding the Process of FTL Shipping
FTL shipping involves transporting large quantities of goods in one shipment using an entire truck. Let’s break down the steps involved in FTL shipping.
Booking the Shipment
The first step in FTL shipping is making a booking. The shipper contacts a carrier or freight broker to arrange the shipment. During this stage, the shipper provides crucial details like the cargo’s size, weight, pickup location, and delivery address. This information helps ensure the reservation of the appropriate truck for the job.
Loading the Cargo
Once the truck is arranged, the goods are loaded. The shipper is responsible for placing the cargo safely onto the truck. It’s essential to ensure the cargo is packed securely to avoid damage during transit.
Transit Process
With the cargo loaded, the truck heads directly to the destination. The key feature of FTL shipping is that it doesn’t make stops along the way, which means the cargo moves faster from the pickup point to its final location.
Unloading the Shipment
After reaching the destination, the unloading begins. This step may involve the receiver or a third party, depending on the agreement made with the carrier. The focus is on ensuring the goods are unloaded efficiently and without damage.
Keeping the Documentation
Proper documentation is vital throughout the process. Documents, including the bill of lading and shipping manifest, are essential for compliance and tracking. Maintaining these records helps ensure seamless delivery and payment.
Finalising Payment
The last step is payment. After the shipment is delivered, the shipper pays the carrier or freight broker per the pre-arranged terms. This step completes the FTL shipping process, preparing it for the next shipment.
Start Your FTL Shipping Journey With Shiprocket Cargo
Shiprocket Cargo provides a tech-enabled platform that simplifies shipping heavy and bulk goods if you’re looking for a reliable solution for your cargo needs. Whether starting your journey with full truckload (FTL) shipping or needing other services like air cargo, it offers the right solution to meet your business needs.
Shiprocket Cargo makes FTL shipping easy by offering multiple services, including a network of 14 carriers that help optimise your supply chain. You can trust that your goods will easily reach their destination, as it covers more than 24,000 pin codes across India. This extensive network coverage ensures businesses can ship their products to almost any location.
What makes the FTL service stand out is the real-time tracking feature. You can monitor the movement of your shipment from the moment it is dispatched until it is safely delivered. This adds convenience and provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
Affordability is another crucial feature of Shiprocket Cargo. With up to 40% cost reductions, businesses can manage their logistics budget better without compromising on service quality. The pricing for FTL shipping remains competitive, making it an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes.
You can schedule appointment deliveries easily, ensure timely arrivals, and stay informed through seamless email and SMS communications. In addition, its API integrations allow easy syncing with major ERP systems, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
A dedicated customer support team is available 24/7 to handle issues that might arise. Additionally, AI-based recommendations help you choose the exemplary courier service based on your shipping needs. These features, combined with Pan-India coverage and other helpful tools like NDRs and weight dispute redressal, make Shiprocket Cargo a trusted partner for businesses starting their FTL shipping journey.
Conclusion
FTL shipping is an efficient method for transporting goods from a single shipper, making it ideal for large shipments. This approach boasts several advantages, including faster transit times and a lower chance of damage. By minimising freight handling and ensuring pre-scheduled pick-up and delivery, FTL enhances overall shipping efficiency. Additionally, it offers greater control over the shipment process, which can lead to major cost savings for businesses. For shippers prioritising speed and security, FTL is an excellent choice for their transportation needs.
