Above table top view of female warehouse worker or seller packing ecommerce shipping order box for dispatching, preparing post courier delivery package, dropshipping shipment service concept.
The right shipping method can make the difference between making or losing money. Did you know that 45 percent of companies make money from the shipping fees they charge?
First, consider what you are trying to ship. This will help you narrow down your choices. You will likely choose a courier if you are shipping items to customers.
What about inventory shipments? What if your product is too big or heavy to be sent by regular parcel mail?
We will help you make an informed decision for your bottom line with a comparison of freight shipping and shipping couriers.
What is Courier Shipping?
Consider courier shipping as standard parcel shipping. It is best for shipments that weigh 100-150 lbs or less. Also, your package must be less than 165 inches combined in length and width and less than 108 inches alone.
Many local businesses offer courier shipping. As you probably know, they are quick in providing service door to door.
Courier shipments are shipped by truck. However, expedited shipping can be arranged if the cost is higher. Your shipment will be with the same courier throughout the entire journey.
What is a Freight Courier, and how do they work?
A freight courier is recommended if your shipment weighs more than 150 pounds. This method will cause longer shipping times.
Freight shipping can be done in truck, train, or air. The truck is the most common method of shipping freight.
LTL and FTL are terms that will be used for truck-based shipping. LTL shipping means that it is less than a truckload. An FTL shipment, on the other hand, is a full truckload.
LTL shipments are typically less than 10 pallets in weight and less than 15,000 pounds. If your shipment is larger than that, it is cheaper to purchase the entire truck using an FTL shipment.
Truck shipping is a door-to-door service. This means your shipment will be delivered to the curb or loading dock. If you need additional service, you will have to pay extra for inside delivery.
All shipments by air, sea, or train are made to their hubs. Because you cannot physically transport a ship, plane, or train from one place to another, this is why it’s called the hub. These shipments will be made from one airport to another, from port to port or station.
The next step is to arrange truck shipping from these points to your destination. The final shipping service is the last mile from hub to doorstep.
Courier Shipping Benefits
Courier shipping offers reliable and fast delivery. This is due to the vast network of shippers that have been built over time.
Your package can be delivered from one door to the next in just days. Your package will also be safe in transit.
Freight Shipping Benefits
Freight shipping offers significant discounts if your shipment is large or heavy. Freight shipping can allow you to ship more packages at once rather than breaking them up into multiple boxes.
If you plan to make more than one shipment, it is easier to obtain a volume discount.
The Downside of Couriers
If your package is too heavy or large, you will be charged very high shipping costs. A courier may refuse to ship your package if it becomes too large or heavy.
Consider it this way: Do you expect your delivery man to lift and transport a 300-pound box to your front door. You don’t. These large shipments are too heavy for their trucks.
The Downside to Freight
Freight is not a reliable method of shipping. The delivery date you receive will be estimated. If you need your package by a specific date, you can opt for expedited shipping.
You also have to worry about your shipment. LTL shipping allows multiple shipments to be transported on the same truck.
The truck makes several stops to deliver each shipment. Your shipment may be taken on and off the truck multiple times before it is delivered.
Your shipment may need to be delivered by more than one freight carrier. Because many freight carriers only deliver to certain regions, this is common.
Your shipment is now at high risk of being stolen or damaged. You can choose to have your shipment sealed or a full truck loaded. These will protect your shipment throughout its journey and allow you only to open it once.
