Choosing a shipping choice used to be so easy! Up until recently the line between when to use parcel shipping and LTL shipping was quite clear.
Parcel shipping historically focused on packages that could reasonably be lifted without assistance by an average person. In other words, packages of less than 150 pounds incurred lower shipping charges due to maneuverability.
The line between LTL and parcel shipping is getting blurry: overlap between the two shipping methods makes it confusing to determine which is best for your shipment.
LTL vs Parcel Shipping Which Is Best?
By considering the impact of each of these factors, this will help you decide on the best shipping method for your business.
Fees
It’s no secret that both parcel shipping and LTL carriers have their share of service fees. Taking the time to define your current parcel and LTL situation can help you identify cost reduction and potential savings opportunities.
Quantity
Does your business ship many of the same items to the same place like a retail warehouse? If so, then even if your items are small, light or compact you may still benefit from using LTL shipping. LTL shipping is designed to ship full pallets of items from place to place much more easily than parcel shipping.
Accessibility
Parcel carriers will offer direct door-to-door delivery that LTL carriers frequently cannot. Parcel carriers are also more likely to deliver to residential addresses, whereas LTL carriers generally prefer to ship to loading docks.
Business
As a business, you’ll most likely never exclusively use parcel or LTL shipping. Instead, you’ll need to constantly monitor what and to whom you’re shipping to select the best shipping method for a given shipment. LTL shipping will generally be the best, lowest-cost option for shipments that include large shipments. For any questions please contact us and we at Christopher Morgan Fulfillment Services will help you decide the best route to take for your business.
