What is Freight? A Beginner's Guide to Freight Shipping, Types & How it Works

Large-scale shipping goes beyond the usual pickup bed or parcel service. Ever wondered how goods get to your doorstep? How does it move from the manufacturer to the warehouse and then to you? That is freight action!

Freight is the bedrock of global trade.

In this guide, we thoroughly break down what freight shipping is, the types of freight shipping, and how it works in a simple, beginner-friendly way.

Types of Freight Shipping

• Road freight (trucking)

Road freight is the most common and flexible mode of freight transportation. They're trucks that move bulky goods to your doorstep because most freight companies use them as last-mile delivery or as regional and domestic transport. 

There are two types of truck freight - less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL).

• Rail Freight

Another ground freight mover apart from road trucks is rail freight. Rail freight is ideal for much heavier goods and long inland distances.  Rail freight is often the most cost-effective mode of freight transportation, though it is limited to moving on tracks. 

• Ocean Freight

You've definitely seen a ship with many loaded containers. That's ocean freight. Ideal for the international shipping of bulk inventories in secured containers. Ocean freight travels from one seaport to another country via sea. They're much slower compared to rail freight. Ocean freight has two categories. Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than a Container Load (LCL)—giving customers options depending on their needs.

• Air Freight

Air freight is the fastest and most expensive freight. Customers take their goods to the nearest cargo-only airport, and the goods will be airshipped to the destination freight airport.  Air freight is highly secure, and goods are not exposed to saltwater corrosion, unlike sea freight.  One downside of air freight is that it doesn't transport dangerous goods, such as batteries.

Types of Freight by Size and Load

• Full Truckload (FTL): This type of freight means one shipper, one full trailer. A fully loaded truckload comes with a faster transit timeline due to the absence of delays that come with multiple shipments.
• Less-than-truckload (LTL): Less-than-truckload means multiple shipments and shared space—a cheaper but slower freight option.
• Oversized and Heavy Freight: Regular oversized freight includes construction and mining equipment, wind turbine components, and prefabricated structures. Such cargoes require permits and special handling.

How freight shipping works (step-by-step)

• Booking and Quote

Research a reputable carrier company online, or get a word-of-mouth recommendation from family and friends. Request the quote and the shipment details. Select the route and transport mode (truck, rail, air, or sea) that best works for you.

• Pickup and Loading

Are your goods well packaged as you desire?  The carrier will examine its weight and dimensions. Then, it will be loaded onto the carrier if all goes according to plan.

• Transportation

You can track the transit through a unique tracking number (bill of lading number) on the carrier's website to understand the progression of your shipment.

• Delivery and Unloading

When your shipment reaches the terminal or your doorstep, you and the driver will conduct a final inspection of your goods to ensure their integrity is not compromised. Afterwards, you will sign a document that confirms receipt of the cargo.

4 Key Freight Shipping Terms Beginners Should Know

• Bill of Lading (BOL): It is a legal document; a shipper is required to sign both at the pickup point and delivery point, which serves as a receipt for goods and a contract between shippers and carriers.
• Freight Class: Freight class is decided upon by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It captures the standard shipment categories, including LTL (Less-than-truckload) and FTL (Full truckload), and determines the size, space, handling, and liability of goods on the carrier.
• Carrier vs. Broker: A carrier is a shipping company that moves cargo or goods from one place to another. A broker, on the other hand, is a well-connected organization or individual who connects shippers and carriers to ensure a smooth shipping experience.
• Transit Times: Transit time is the overall duration from the time a shipment or goods are loaded onto a vessel until final delivery.

Common Freight Shipping Mistakes Beginners Make

• Incorrect Weight or Dimensions Report  

Have an in-depth understanding of your shipment's weight to avoid needless delays and confusion.

• Poor packaging

If your goods are packaged inappropriately, there's a high chance of damage, but good packaging can give you peace of mind during transit.

• Price Over Reliability 

Choosing price over reliability, especially for cheap quotes. Cheap quotes are often scams in disguise in the long run.

• Not Understanding Insurance Coverage.

Reading the insurance fine print carefully and asking questions helps you feel confident and protected in case of issues.

Who should use freight shipping?

Are you still considering whether Freight is for you? Here's one way to find out:

Categories of Freight Users:

• Businesses
• Manufacturers
• Importers/Exporters
• Individuals shipping large items

Do you need freight shipping for any goods? Let Revoway help you get it to its destination in one piece. Check our website to see what you stand to gain.

FAQ

1. What qualifies as freight instead of regular shipping?

This type of shipping involves transporting large, heavy items that cannot be shipped via standard services. If a truck or cargo is needed, then it is already freight.

2. What’s the cheapest type of freight shipping?

Generally, rail freight and ocean freight are the most cost-effective for long distances and bulk shipments. For domestic shipping, LTL trucking is often the best balance between cost and convenience.

3. How do I choose between LTL and FTL shipping?

LTL is a shipping type for large items when you don’t fully utilize the entire cargo space. FTL is an ideal choice for those with so many goods that they can occupy the entire cargo space. 

4. Is freight shipping safe for valuable or fragile goods?

Yes, when packaged correctly and handled by a reputable carrier. Using proper pallets, protective materials, and understanding your insurance coverage dramatically reduces the risk of damage.