If you are using freight shipping services for the first time, you may come across the term “consolidated shipping”. This refers to the practice of combining severalless than truckload (LTL) shipments from various merchants into one full shipment. Let’s examine this freight shipping method in more detail and the benefits it offers.
How Consolidated Shipping Works
Consolidated shipping is typically performed at a consolidation warehouse. This is where multiple LTL shipments from various merchants that are going to a similar location are put together and loaded onto the same truck.
These goods remain together until they reach the truck’s delivery location. They are then unloaded, deconsolidated, and handed over to their respective recipients.
Advantages of Consolidated Shipping
Consolidated shipping offers merchants a variety of advantages. This includes:
Lower Costs
One of the main benefits of consolidated shipping are cost savings. These savings are especially prominent for merchants that have hired a full truckload to ship goods that may not take up the entire trailer space in the past. With consolidated shipping, you pay only for the amount of truck space you are using. The savings from using consolidated shipping regularly can add up over time and benefit small businesses greatly.
Lower Chance of Damage
Consolidated shipping also reduces how much handling goods require during transportation. These fewer touchpoints often result in safer shipping practices that improve the likelihood of goods reaching their destination undamaged.
Better Scheduled Shipping
A freight carrier with a large shipping capacity can use a consolidation strategy to get your goods delivered to their destination efficiently. This is thanks to their better space utilization and scheduling practices.
Disadvantages of Consolidated Shipping
Consolidated shipping does come with some disadvantages you should be aware of. This includes:
Difficulty Finding a Carrier
One of the main drawbacks of consolidated shipping is that it can be difficult to find the right carrier that offers it. Consolidated shipping does require specialized arrangements that many carriers aren’t willing to provide. However, a reliable freight broker such as Action Transport Inc can connect you with freight carriers that offer consolidated shipping options.
Why Choose Action Transport Inc?
There are many freight brokers across the country that can connect you with carriers who offer consolidated shipping options. However, few can match the quality of services and personalized attention we offer at Action Transport Inc. We maintain a vast network of carriers who we handpick after a rigorous vetting process. We can match you with the right one for your shipment at the lowest rates.
Allow us to help you with your consolidated shipping needs. Please get in touch with us to learn more about our services.