We Analyzed 100 LTL Shipments

We Analyzed 100 LTL Shipments — Here Are the 5 Most Common Problems (And How to Avoid Them)

Over the past few months, we analyzed 100 real LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipments across multiple industries, including eCommerce, furniture, construction materials, and wholesale distribution.

The results were clear:👉 Most shipping problems are preventable.

If you're managing domestic freight in the U.S., this breakdown can help you reduce unexpected costs, delays, and operational headaches.

📊 LTL Analysis Overview

• Sample size: 100 LTL shipments

• Coverage: Nationwide (East Coast, Midwest, West Coast)

• Freight types: eCommerce, furniture, machinery, building materials

👉 Key finding:Over 78% of issues were caused by incomplete or incorrect shipment information before pickup.

Problem #1: Incorrect Freight Class (Most Common)

Occurrence: ~32%

Why it happens

• Incorrect NMFC classification

• Inaccurate weight or dimensions

• Miscalculated freight density

Impact

• Reclassification (reclass) by the carrier

• Freight cost increases of 20%–80%

• Significant gap between quoted and final invoice

✅ How to prevent it

• Calculate accurate freight density before shipping

• Use the correct NMFC code

• When in doubt, consult your logistics provider

Problem #2: Unaccounted Accessorial Charges

Occurrence: ~27%

Common accessorials

• Liftgate service

• Residential delivery

• Limited access locations (schools, job sites, churches)

• Appointment delivery

Why it happens

👉 Missing or incomplete delivery information at the time of booking

Impact

• Unexpected charges of $50–$300+ per shipment

✅ How to prevent it

• Clearly identify delivery location type

• Specify liftgate requirements in advance

• Provide complete delivery details upfront

Problem #3: Failed Pickup Attempts

Occurrence: ~18%

Common causes

• Incorrect or incomplete pickup address

• No contact person on-site

• Freight not ready at pickup time

• Pickup scheduled too early in the day

Impact

• 1–2 day delays

• Rescheduling required

• Disruption to downstream delivery timelines

✅ How to prevent it

• Schedule pickups in the afternoon (higher success rate)

• Ensure freight is palletized and ready

• Provide accurate contact information

Problem #4: Improper Packaging (Leading to Damage)

Occurrence: ~14%

Common issues

• No pallet used

• Insufficient protection (especially for furniture or fragile items)

• Packaging not suitable for LTL handling

Important to understand

👉 LTL shipments typically pass through multiple terminals

Impact

• Increased risk of damage

• Time-consuming claims process (not always fully reimbursed)

✅ How to prevent it

• Use standard pallets (48" x 40")

• Apply shrink wrap and corner protection

• Reinforce packaging for high-value or fragile goods

Problem #5: Misunderstanding Transit Time

Occurrence: ~9%

Common misconception

• Assuming LTL transit times are guaranteed

Reality

👉 LTL transit times are estimates, not guarantees

Impact

• Missed delivery expectations

• Customer dissatisfaction

✅ How to prevent it

• Ship 1–2 days earlier when possible

• Use expedited services for time-sensitive freight

• Set realistic expectations with customers

The Root Cause Behind Most Issues

👉 Incomplete information and lack of preparation before shipment

This leads to:

• Billing discrepancies

• Uncontrolled costs

• Frequent delays

How We Help Prevent These Issues

In our day-to-day operations, we proactively:

• ✔ Verify freight class before booking

• ✔ Identify all potential accessorial charges

• ✔ Optimize pickup scheduling

• ✔ Provide packaging recommendations

• ✔ Anticipate risks before they happen

👉 Our goal is simple:Make your shipping predictable, controllable, and cost-efficient.

Free Freight Review

If you are experiencing:

• Frequent reclassification charges

• Invoices higher than quotes

• Failed pickups

• Delivery delays

👉 We can help.

Contact us for a free freight analysis and discover how much you can save on your LTL operations.