Shipping Guide: Everything to Know About Freight, Trucking, and Shipping
Freight Fundamentals & SCAC Codes—Simplified.
1) Shipping Basics
- What is Freight Shipping? Transporting goods by land, sea, or air.
- LTL vs FTL: LTL shares a trailer with other shipments; FTL occupies the entire trailer for faster transit and minimal handling.
- Trucking vs Other Modes: Trucking for short-to-medium distances; Rail for long distances/large volumes; Air is fastest; Ocean is best for large quantities.
BOL (Bill of Lading)
A legal document that serves as a receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and document of title.
POD (Proof of Delivery)
A document confirming that a shipment has been successfully delivered to the intended recipient.
Accessorials
Additional services beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as liftgate service or inside delivery.
NMFC Codes
National Motor Freight Classification codes used to categorize freight for shipping purposes.
Freight Class
A standardized classification system used to categorize freight based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.
FOB (Free On Board)
A term indicating when liability and ownership of goods transfers from seller to buyer.
2) Types of Freight Services
LTL (Less‑than‑Truckload)
Ideal for smaller loads that don’t require a full trailer.
FTL (Full Truckload)
Best when your shipment fills an entire trailer—faster and with less handling.
Intermodal & Multimodal
Combines modes like rail + truck for cost-efficiency.
Expedited & Same‑Day
Time‑critical deliveries with priority handling.
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Temperature‑controlled shipping for perishables.
Hazmat & Oversized
Special handling, permits, and equipment for complex loads.