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Get a Free QuoteEverything you need to know about moving pallets, machinery, and bulk inventory without overpaying.
Freight and LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping is how businesses move loads that are too big, too heavy, or too palletized for ordinary parcel carriers. Once a shipment outgrows a standard box — think pallets, machinery, furniture, or bulk inventory — you enter a different world with its own pricing logic, paperwork, and carrier network.
ParcelPalth gives small businesses access to a negotiated carrier network for parcel shipping, and the same approach extends to LTL. Whether you ship one pallet a month or run a busy dock, the guides below help you plan it right the first time and keep your freight moving smoothly.
| Attribute | Parcel shipping | LTL freight |
|---|---|---|
| Typical shipment | Individual boxes | Palletized loads (roughly 1–6 pallets) |
| Weight range | Under about 150 lbs | Palletized, or over about 150 lbs |
| Carriers | UPS and USPS | LTL carriers sharing trailer space |
| Priced by | Package weight and zone | Weight, dimensions, class, accessorials |
| Best when | Items small enough to box | Too big/heavy for parcel, too small for a full truckload |
Parcel shipping moves individual boxes — typically under 150 lbs — through carriers like UPS and USPS, priced by package weight and zone. LTL freight moves palletized loads that share a truck with other shippers, priced by weight, dimensions, freight class, and accessorials. As a rule of thumb, once your shipment is palletized or exceeds about 150 lbs, LTL is usually cheaper and safer than splitting it into many parcels.
Freight class is set by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, which assigns one of 18 classes (50 through 500) based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Dense, easy-to-stack, durable freight earns a lower class and a lower rate; light, bulky, or fragile freight lands in a higher class.
The core document is the bill of lading (BOL), which acts as the contract, receipt, and shipping instructions in one. Depending on the shipment you may also need a packing list, freight quote confirmation, and any accessorial instructions such as liftgate or inside delivery.
The most common causes are an understated weight, wrong dimensions, an incorrect freight class, or undeclared accessorials. Carriers reweigh and remeasure freight at terminals and bill the difference — getting every input right at quote time is your best protection.
Yes. You don't need enterprise volume to access negotiated pricing. ParcelPalth gives small and mid-size shippers access to a discounted carrier network for both parcel and LTL freight, with no monthly fees or minimums.
Create a free ParcelPalth account to compare LTL and parcel rates side by side and book discounted freight with no monthly fees.
Get a Free Quote