Common freight shipping questions, answered
Everything you need to know about LTL shipping, freight class, accessorial charges, freight brokers, and working with Route 89 — in plain English.
General freight shipping questions
What is freight shipping?
Freight shipping is the transportation of large or heavy commercial goods — typically on pallets — via truck, rail, air, or ocean. Most businesses shipping manufactured goods, raw materials, or retail products use freight carriers rather than parcel services like UPS or FedEx, because freight is more cost-effective for shipments over 150 lbs.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL shipping?
LTL (less-than-truckload) means your freight shares trailer space with other shippers and you pay only for the portion you use — ideal for 1–12 pallets or under 15,000 lbs. FTL (full truckload) gives your freight a dedicated trailer from pickup to delivery — better for large loads, time-sensitive freight, or shipments requiring extra care. A freight broker can quote both options and tell you which saves more for your specific load.
How long does freight shipping take?
Transit times vary by mode and lane. LTL shipments typically take 1–5 business days depending on distance and carrier. FTL shipments are usually faster since there are no stops or terminal transfers — most cross-country FTL lanes run 2–4 days. Expedited freight can move same-day or next-day when needed. Your freight broker can give you a transit estimate specific to your origin and destination.
How is freight shipping priced?
LTL pricing is based on freight class (determined by density), weight, distance, and any accessorial charges for non-standard pickup or delivery conditions. FTL pricing is based primarily on lane (origin and destination), current market capacity, and load characteristics. Fuel surcharges apply to both modes and fluctuate weekly based on diesel prices.
What is a freight class?
Freight class is a standardized rating system (Classes 50–500) used by LTL carriers to price shipments. It is determined primarily by the density of your freight — weight divided by cubic feet — along with stowability, handling difficulty, and liability. Lower class means denser freight and a lower rate. Higher class means lighter, bulkier freight and a higher rate. Getting freight class right before booking prevents costly reclassification fees.
What is a BOL (Bill of Lading)?
A Bill of Lading (BOL) is the legal document that travels with your freight shipment. It serves as a shipping contract between the shipper and carrier, a receipt of goods, and delivery instructions for the driver. It includes the shipper and consignee information, commodity description, weight, freight class, and any special handling instructions. You should always have a signed copy of the BOL after pickup.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) questions
What is the minimum shipment size for LTL freight?
There is no formal minimum — most LTL carriers will accept a single box or pallet. However, very small shipments (under 100–150 lbs) are often cheaper to ship via parcel carriers like UPS or FedEx. LTL becomes cost-effective once your shipment is too large or heavy for standard parcel services.
How do I know what freight class my shipment is?
Freight class is determined by calculating the density of your shipment (weight ÷ cubic feet) and cross-referencing it with the NMFC density table. Some commodities have fixed NMFC item numbers that assign a class regardless of density. Your freight broker will verify your freight class before quoting — this prevents reclassification fees that show up as surprise charges after delivery.
What happens if a carrier reclassifies my freight?
If a carrier inspector determines your freight class was incorrect, they will reclassify the shipment and send an adjusted invoice — often higher than the original rate, plus a reclassification fee. The best prevention is accurate weight and dimensions combined with the correct NMFC class before the shipment moves. Route 89 verifies freight class on every LTL quote.
Can I track my LTL shipment?
Yes. LTL carriers provide a PRO number when your shipment is picked up, which you can use to track it on the carrier's website. Your freight broker also has visibility into shipment status and can provide updates or escalate if a delivery is delayed.
What is a liftgate and when do I need one?
A liftgate is a hydraulic platform on the rear of a freight truck that lowers freight from truck bed height (about 4 feet) to ground level. You need a liftgate any time your pickup or delivery location does not have a loading dock — including most small businesses, home-based businesses, and residential addresses. Liftgate is an accessorial charge that should be declared when booking.
Why did my freight invoice come in higher than my quote?
The most common reasons are undeclared accessorial charges (liftgate, residential, inside delivery, or delivery appointment that weren't on the original quote) or a freight class reclassification by the carrier. Working with a freight broker who asks about accessorials upfront and verifies freight class before booking eliminates most invoice surprises.
Working with a freight broker
What does a freight broker do?
A freight broker acts as the intermediary between shippers and carriers. We source carrier capacity, negotiate rates, verify freight classification, prepare the Bill of Lading, coordinate pickup and delivery, track shipments, and handle claims and billing disputes. The goal is to get your freight moved at the best available rate with the least amount of effort on your part.
How does a freight broker make money?
Freight brokers earn a margin on the difference between what they charge the shipper and what they pay the carrier. This is built into the all-in rate you receive — there are no separate broker fees. Because brokers shop freight across large carrier networks, the rate they quote is often lower than what a shipper could get booking direct, even after the broker margin.
Is it cheaper to use a freight broker or book direct with a carrier?
For most shippers, a freight broker is cheaper — especially for LTL. Brokers have negotiated blanket rates with multiple carriers based on volume that individual shippers cannot access by booking direct. The savings on rate typically exceed the broker margin. Where booking direct can be competitive is on high-volume lanes where a shipper has enough leverage to negotiate directly with a specific carrier.
How do I know if a freight broker is legitimate?
Any legitimate freight broker operating in the US must hold an active FMCSA broker authority license and a $75,000 surety bond. You can verify this at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov using the broker's MC number. Route 89 Logistics is a licensed freight broker operating as a business partner of GlobalTranz, one of the largest freight brokerages in North America.
What is the difference between a freight broker and a 3PL?
A freight broker arranges transportation between shippers and carriers but does not take physical possession of goods. A third party logistics provider (3PL) offers a broader range of services that may include warehousing, fulfillment, inventory management, and transportation — essentially outsourcing a larger portion of your supply chain. Route 89 operates as both a freight broker and a 3PL partner, depending on what your business needs.
Does Route 89 handle freight outside of Utah?
Yes. While we are based in Herriman, Utah, we move freight in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. Our carrier network through GlobalTranz covers every major lane in North America. Utah-based shippers get the added benefit of local, personal service — but our reach is nationwide.
Accessorial charges and fees
What are accessorial charges?
Accessorial charges are fees carriers add for services beyond standard dock-to-dock delivery. Common accessorials include liftgate pickup or delivery, residential stops, inside delivery, delivery appointments, limited access locations, and driver assist. These fees apply based on your actual pickup and delivery conditions — declaring them upfront means you know the full cost before committing.
What is a residential delivery fee?
Carriers charge a residential delivery fee when freight is delivered to a home address or a location classified as residential in their system. This includes home-based businesses and some rural addresses. Residential fees typically run $50–$100 and are often combined with a liftgate fee, since most residential locations lack a loading dock.
What is a limited access delivery fee?
Limited access fees apply to locations that are difficult for a standard freight truck to service — schools, churches, construction sites, military bases, farms, prisons, and certain downtown locations with restricted loading zones. Carriers publish lists of location types that qualify. Declaring limited access when booking prevents a surprise fee on the invoice.
What happens if freight can't be delivered on the first attempt?
The carrier will charge a redelivery fee — typically $100–$200 — for each additional delivery attempt. The freight may also go into storage at the destination terminal if multiple attempts fail, adding daily storage fees. To avoid this, make sure your consignee knows the expected delivery window and has someone available to receive the freight.
Don't see your question? Contact our team or call (801) 988-9645 — Mon–Fri, 7 AM–6 PM MT.
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