Freight terminologies: Everything you need to know

Shipping is the most common question, especially for new buyers. Because cost impacts profit margins, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Here are a few terms to know as you navigate the world of freight.

ACCESSORIAL:

An optional service that can be requested for an LTL shipment. Lift gates and residential delivery/pickup are common. The additional cost varies by service and carrier.

BILL Of LADING (BOL):

shows all relevant details of a freight shipment. The BOL includes pickup and delivery information, weight, class, contact information, billing information, and carrier information. BOLs are given to carriers at time of pickup and accompany freight during transit.

CARRIER:

An organization with its own equipment that transports goods across the country using drivers, dispatchers, and terminals.

CONSIGNEE:

The recipient of a freight shipment. It is the opposite of a shipper.

DENSITY:

The density of an item is expressed in pounds per cubic foot. The density of an item is determined by its length, width, height, and weight. A key aspect of LTL shipping is the density, which determines freight classing and pricing.

FREIGHT BROKER:

The role of a freight broker is to act as a link between the customer and the carrier by providing them with shipping rates and services. In addition to lowering shipping rates, full-service brokers provide complete shipping services to their customers (often through TMS).

FREIGHT CLASS:

A number that identifies a shipment as transportable. An NMFC number appears on the BOL and is used to determine shipping costs and pricing.

HANDLING:

An item’s freight class is determined by its handling. Oversized or fragile items are often harder to handle, resulting in higher freight classes.

LTL (LESS THAN TRUCKLOAD):

Freight shipping for shipments that take up less space than a full truckload. Pricing and quoting for LTL (including volume quotes) are structured differently. Furthermore, LTL shipping has a separate carrier and broker structure from truckload shipping.

LIFTGATE:

A liftgate is an attachment on the back of some carrier trucks that aids in loading and unloading freight when a dock or forklift is not available. Typically used for residential deliveries and pickups.

NMFC NUMBER:

The NMFC number on a BOL indicates an item’s class under the National Motor Freight Classification System.

PRO NUMBER:

This number is assigned to freight after it has been picked up by a carrier and is used to track and trace it.

RECLASS:

An invoice discrepancy occurs when a carrier invoices a shipment at a higher or lower class than what is indicated on the Bill of Lading.

REWEIGH:

An invoice discrepancy occurs when a carrier invoices a shipment at a higher or lower class than what is indicated on the Bill of Lading.

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TMS):

Carrier and freight broker’s online freight system for tracking, coordinating, and invoicing customers’ shipments, including but not limited to: building BOLs and creating shipments.

TRUCKLOAD (TL):

A type of freight shipping that specializes in moving full truckloads of freight. It has a distinct carrier and broker structure that is completely different from LTL.

W&I CERTIFICATE:

Reweighting or reclassifying a shipment requires a Weight and Inspection certificate.

 Wanna learn more? Check out our helpful Seller’s Blog. 

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