Definition
Less Than Truckload Shipping, commonly abbreviated as LTL, is a freight shipping method used when a shipment does not require the full space of a truck trailer. Instead, freight from multiple shippers is consolidated into the same trailer, and each shipper pays for the portion of space, weight, and handling their shipment requires.
LTL shipments are typically larger than parcel shipments but smaller than full truckload shipments. FedEx describes LTL freight as shipments that typically weigh more than 150 pounds, travel by truck, and require only part of the trailer space. Old Dominion defines LTL as transportation that combines freight from multiple shippers on the same trailer.
For marketing, LTL matters because it affects how brands deliver products to retailers, distributors, customers, event locations, field teams, and channel partners. It is especially relevant when shipping palletized goods, retail displays, samples, event materials, printed collateral, packaging, or product inventory that is too large for parcel shipping but too small to justify a full truckload.
How LTL Relates to Marketing
LTL shipping connects marketing execution to physical delivery. A campaign may be built in a marketing automation platform, planned in a content calendar, and approved in fourteen separate meetings because apparently that is where civilization is now—but if the promotional materials, retail displays, or product inventory arrive late or damaged, the customer-facing experience suffers.
Marketing teams may rely on LTL shipping for:
| Marketing Need | How LTL Supports It |
|---|---|
| Retail promotions | Ships displays, signage, product inventory, and promotional materials to stores or distribution centers. |
| Event marketing | Moves booths, signage, samples, printed materials, and equipment to conference or field event locations. |
| Product launches | Delivers initial product shipments to retailers, distributors, sales teams, or regional warehouses. |
| Channel marketing | Sends co-branded assets, demo kits, and sales enablement materials to partners. |
| Direct-to-business fulfillment | Supports B2B shipments that exceed parcel limits but do not require full truckload capacity. |
| Distributed inventory strategies | Helps move smaller quantities of goods closer to demand without waiting for a full trailer. |
For marketers, LTL is most useful when campaign planning is coordinated with inventory availability, warehouse operations, carrier capacity, delivery windows, and retailer receiving requirements.
How to Calculate LTL Shipping
LTL shipping is not calculated through one universal formula. Carriers and brokers typically price LTL shipments based on several variables, including shipment weight, dimensions, freight class, origin, destination, service level, fuel surcharge, and accessorial services.
A common calculation used in LTL pricing is freight density:
Freight Density = Shipment Weight ÷ Cubic Feet
To calculate cubic feet:
Cubic Feet = Length × Width × Height ÷ 1,728
For example, a pallet that measures 48 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 48 inches high has:
48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 cubic inches
92,160 ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 cubic feet
If the pallet weighs 600 pounds:
600 ÷ 53.33 = 11.25 pounds per cubic foot
Freight density is important because it can affect freight classification. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), is used to classify freight in LTL shipping. NMFTA states that the NMFC helps keep LTL shipping consistent by establishing standards for how freight is identified and classified.
A complete LTL rate calculation may include:
| Pricing Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | Heavier shipments generally cost more, though rates are often structured by weight breaks. |
| Dimensions | Length, width, and height determine cube and density. |
| Freight class | Classification affects price based on shipment characteristics. |
| Origin and destination | Distance, lane demand, and delivery region influence the rate. |
| Service level | Standard, expedited, guaranteed, or time-definite delivery options may carry different costs. |
| Accessorial services | Liftgate, inside delivery, residential delivery, limited-access delivery, appointment delivery, and reweigh fees can add cost. |
| Fuel surcharge | Carriers may apply fuel-related charges that change over time. |
How to Utilize LTL Shipping
LTL shipping is useful when a business needs to move freight economically without filling an entire truck. It is often used for palletized shipments, recurring replenishment, regional distribution, or moderate-volume freight that does not fit neatly into parcel shipping.
Common use cases include:
| Use Case | How LTL Is Used |
|---|---|
| Retail replenishment | Ships smaller quantities of product to retailers or regional distribution points. |
| E-commerce operations | Moves bulk inventory between warehouses, 3PLs, and fulfillment centers. |
| Trade show logistics | Transports booths, displays, printed materials, samples, and event equipment. |
| B2B product shipments | Delivers commercial orders that are too large for parcel but too small for full truckload. |
| Product sampling | Ships cases or pallets of samples to agencies, field teams, partners, or customers. |
| Seasonal campaign support | Moves promotional inventory or marketing materials ahead of major campaign periods. |
| Reverse logistics | Returns damaged, excess, or unsold goods from stores, events, or partners. |
Marketing teams should involve logistics and operations early when LTL shipments are tied to campaign launch dates, retailer windows, events, or customer commitments. LTL can be cost-effective, but transit times, terminal handling, appointment scheduling, and accessorial requirements need to be planned in advance.
Comparison to Similar Shipping Methods
| Shipping Method | Best For | Main Difference from LTL |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel Shipping | Small packages, individual consumer orders, lightweight shipments | Parcel is typically used for smaller packages, while LTL is used for larger freight. |
| Less Than Truckload (LTL) | Freight that needs part of a trailer | Multiple shippers share trailer space. |
| Partial Truckload | Larger shipments that do not require a full trailer but may need less handling than LTL | Usually involves fewer transfers than LTL and may suit mid-sized shipments. |
| Full Truckload (FTL) | Shipments large enough to fill or justify a dedicated trailer | One shipper typically uses the full trailer. |
| Intermodal Freight | Longer-distance freight using truck and rail | Can reduce cost on some lanes but may involve longer transit times and more coordination. |
| Air Freight | Urgent or high-value shipments | Faster but usually more expensive than ground freight. |
| White Glove Delivery | Fragile, high-value, or installation-sensitive goods | Includes additional handling, placement, setup, or specialized service. |
Best Practices
Define shipment requirements before rating the load. Accurate weight, dimensions, freight class, origin, destination, and delivery requirements reduce reclassification, reweigh, and rebilling issues.
Package freight for repeated handling. LTL shipments may move through terminals and be transferred between trailers. Freight should be palletized, secured, labeled clearly, and packaged to withstand forklift handling.
Confirm accessorial needs in advance. Liftgate service, residential delivery, inside delivery, limited-access delivery, and appointment scheduling can materially affect cost and delivery timing.
Match the shipping method to the campaign requirement. LTL may be appropriate for planned promotional materials or retail replenishment. It may be less appropriate for fragile, urgent, highly customized, or high-value shipments unless the service level and packaging are designed for that risk.
Coordinate marketing calendars with shipping lead times. Event materials, product launch inventory, and retail displays should not be shipped as an afterthought. “It leaves tomorrow” is not a logistics strategy; it is a tiny opera with a freight bill.
Track shipment performance. Marketing and operations teams should review delivery timeliness, damage rates, accessorial charges, carrier performance, and cost per shipment when LTL supports recurring campaigns or retail programs.
Use clean product and shipment data. Incorrect dimensions, weights, commodity descriptions, or freight classes can create cost disputes and delays. This is especially important when LTL shipping is integrated with order management, warehouse management, transportation management, or customer data systems.
Future Trends
LTL shipping is becoming more data-driven as shippers, brokers, carriers, and 3PLs improve digital quoting, shipment visibility, dock scheduling, route optimization, and exception management.
Freight classification is also becoming more important. NMFTA has been modernizing the NMFC classification system, with greater emphasis on density, handling, stowability, and liability. This will increase the need for accurate product dimensions, weights, and shipment data.
For marketing teams, the practical future trend is that logistics data will become more connected to campaign planning. Retail media, product launches, field marketing, and direct-to-business fulfillment will increasingly depend on real-time visibility into inventory, carrier performance, and delivery risk.
As customer expectations continue to rise, LTL will remain important for brands that need flexible freight movement without the cost or volume requirements of full truckload shipping.
Related Terms
- Freight Class
- NMFC
- Freight Density
- Full Truckload Shipping
- Partial Truckload Shipping
- Parcel Shipping
- Transportation Management System
- Accessorial Charges
- Freight Broker
- Order Management System (OMS)
- Warehouse Management System (WMS)
- Ship From Store (SFS)
- Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS)
- Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
- Proof of Delivery (POD)
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Sources
FedEx. “LTL Freight Shipping Services and Rate Quotes.”
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight/ltl.html
FedEx. “Freight Class Calculator: How to Determine Freight Class.”
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight/ltl/class-calculator.html
FedEx. “Freight Shipping Quotes: Freight Rates Calculator.”
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight/resources/calculate-freight-quote.html
FedEx. “Freight Packing and Packaging Guidelines.”
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight/resources/packing-guide.html
National Motor Freight Traffic Association. “National Motor Freight Classification.”
https://nmfta.org/standards/classification/nmfc/
Old Dominion Freight Line. “What is LTL Freight Shipping?”
https://www.odfl.com/us/en/resources/freight-knowledge/odfl-blog/ltl-guide.html
UPS Supply Chain Solutions. “Ground Freight.”
https://si.ups.com/us/en/supplychain/freight/ground