Guide
What is LTL freight?
LTL (less-than-truckload) freight is a shipment that shares a truck with other shippers' freight. The U.S. Census Bureau describes LTL carriage as "multiple shipments combined onto a single truck" for multiple deliveries within a network. Truckload (TL or FTL) is the opposite: one shipment fills the truck from origin to destination.
How an LTL network works
The Census Bureau's industry definition (NAICS 484122) lists the network activities that characterize LTL carriers:
- Local pickup.
- Local sorting and terminal operations.
- Line-haul between terminals.
- Destination sorting and terminal operations.
- Local delivery.
Because the freight is handled at terminals and moved between trucks, how it is packaged, measured and described matters more than in a direct truckload move.
LTL vs. truckload
| LTL | Truckload | |
|---|---|---|
| Truck | Shared with other shipments | One shipment, not combined with others |
| Route | Through terminals, with sorting | Origin to destination |
| Pricing | Freight class, weight and the carrier's tariff, plus accessorial charges | Set by the carrier or your agreement for the whole truck |
| Census industry code | 484122 | 484121 |
Where the line falls depends on the carrier. One carrier's glossary, for example, describes LTL as a weight bracket of less than 10,000 lb (R+L Carriers). Other carriers draw it differently, so ask yours.
How LTL shipments are priced
Several things on an LTL invoice depend on the shipment details you give the carrier:
- Freight class. LTL freight is classified under the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), which assigns each commodity a class from 50 to 500 based on density, handling, stowability and liability (NMFTA). See what is freight class.
- Weight and dimensions. They decide the density and, for many items, the class. See freight density vs. freight class.
- Accessorial charges. Services beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as a liftgate or a residential delivery, are billed under the carrier's rules tariff. See LTL accessorial charges.
The documents in an LTL shipment
- Bill of lading. The carrier must issue a receipt or bill of lading for the property it receives (49 U.S.C. § 14706(a)(1)). See what is a bill of lading.
- Freight bill. The carrier's invoice for the shipment, with the rates and charges (49 CFR § 373.103). See freight bill and PRO number.
Before your first LTL shipment
- Measure and weigh each pallet as it will ship (how to measure a pallet).
- Calculate the density (freight density calculator).
- Describe the commodity completely on the bill of lading.
- Tell the carrier about delivery conditions in advance: no dock, a residence, limited access.
- When the invoice arrives, compare it with the quote (LTL quote vs. invoice checker).
Sources
- National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 49 CFR § 373.103 — For-hire, non-exempt expense bills. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations). Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 49 U.S.C. § 14706 — Liability of carriers under receipts and bills of lading. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (reproduction of the U.S. Code). Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 2022 NAICS 484122 — General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less Than Truckload. U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 2022 NAICS 484121 — General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload. U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- Freight Glossary. R+L Carriers. Accessed 2026-11-13.