How To Select The Best Shipping Method

With so many shipping methods, you might wonder which one is the best fit for your freight. This article shares the most common shipping methods their pros and cons, which helps you find the optimal option.

Less Than Truckload

Less than truckload or LTL is one of the popular ways to optimize your shipping. LTL is the feasible option when your cargo doesn’t belong to the parcel category with more than 150 lbs. It is ideal for shipments where you don’t need a full truck or require a cheap shipping option.

Various shippers share the whole vehicle. The advantage is that you only pay for the container space you use. The cost is calculated by dimension and freight weight. If you’re looking for a metal shipping container for your business, it’s important to know the average cost of shipping containers so you choose the right one. For more information, click here.

However, this method has its drawbacks. Remember that the products will be transferred during shipping, so there’s a chance for loss, theft, and damage. Thai issues can delay the arrival time, resulting in customer dissatisfaction. 

Full Truckload

Full truckload or FTL is ideal for oversized cargo or large volumes. The shipper pays for the whole vehicle and can use it to its capacity. There is no shared container with other companies. You can find out more about FTL here: https://migway.com/services/full-truckload/.

Shipments with specific requirements require a dedicated load. Freight without package, perishable products, and luxury goods are transported with FTL. This method includes transporting the goods from point A to B without transferring them to other vehicles or warehouses. That does not only shorten the arrival time but also minimizes the risk of damage during handling. 

Partial Truckload

The partial truckload or LTL belongs somewhere between LTL and LTL. It is intended for shipments with a minimum of 8,000 lbs or between 6 to 18 pallets. This method also does not require to indicate a freight class.

Intermodal Shipping

Intermodal rail shipping is a method that combines trucks and rail for an efficient and affordable shipping process. The method is underrated, so don’t forget to consider its feasibility when choosing the best shipping method. 

In intermodal rail shipping, the trucks overtake the cargo from the rail hub. Then, the freight is transported to the final destination. Trains use less fuel, which can be part of your eco-friendly practices.

Air Freight

Air freight is a fast and efficient method for transporting freight. Even though it is costlier than the other shipping methods, many choose it because of the speed. Shippers can send their cargo to different continents quickly. Also, air freight has modern tracking technology to minimize loss and damage.

International Shipping Options

If you need to transport cargo internationally, you can do it by ocean or air. Transporting your cargo by ocean freight liner is the most feasible and efficient option. The cargo ship has a large capacity and can transport many containers. There is an option to consolidate freight with others and send your cargo as a small portion of a container. Or you can send a whole container with your freight.

When you need to ship goods internationally and don’t have a tight deadline, the boat method is a good option.

If you need fast transit, consider the air method. It allows you to ship your freight internationally and caters to different needs. It is often expedited, meaning that the date and time of arrival are precisely determined. 

Specialized Services

Shippers can request specialized services to meet their needs. Expedited shipping, air-ride, and guaranteed delivery are some services catering to shipers.