Expedited LTL Shipping - What Is It and When Should You Use It?

In a previous post on the PartnerShip blog, we explained guaranteed LTL shipping and when to use it. This post focuses on when to use expedited LTL shipping.

What is expedited LTL service? Expedited shipping is moving and transferring freight faster than standard transit times.

It is important to know that LTL freight shipments are usually quoted with estimated transit times. LTL freight carriers all use their own standard transit times which take into consideration distance, the shipping lane in which the freight is moving, and availability of trucks moving between the freight’s origin and destination.

Using an expedited LTL freight service will get your freight from origin to destination faster than standard LTL service.

How does an expedited freight shipment get from Point A to Point B faster?

Expedited LTL shipments move directly from pickup to delivery and the trucks carrying them rarely stop along the way. Typically, LTL freight will move in a dedicated truck with two drivers who work in shifts to decrease the transit time. By using a dedicated truck, expedited shipping provides an additional benefit: your freight will have fewer touch points and fewer chances for damage.

When should you use expedited LTL shipping?

• When you have strategic partners that rely on you for goods that are components needed to finish a product, such as seats shipped to an automobile manufacturing facility that has a just-in-time inventory management strategy. If your shipment doesn’t arrive when it is needed, the entire plants may need to be shut down until the freight arrives
• When you are shipping to a retailer that has strict delivery window requirements. Missing these delivery dates and / or times may result in chargebacks of around 3% of the value of the purchase order. So if an order valued at $50,000 was early or late, you’d pay a $1500 fine. Paying extra for expedited LTL shipping to avoid fines is a small investment
• When you are shipping high-value goods. Remember, expedited shipping has fewer touch points and fewer opportunities for damage and / or theft to occur
• When you employ a just-in-time or lean inventory supply chain strategy to lower your inventory costs
• When critical machinery breaks down and replacement parts are required to keep an operation functioning

These scenarios are just examples; expedited services can be used whenever you have a need for express delivery. The additional cost provides the advantages of speed, less handling of your freight, real-time delivery updates and added security of your goods.

If you have questions about when to use expedited LTL freight service, or how to find freight carriers that offer expedited delivery, contact PartnerShip. We can help you stay competitive by matching your LTL freight shipping needs with the correct service option.

Get your free expedited LTL quote now!