Common Logistics & Freight Shipping Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A term referring to the transportation of bulk goods by road, rail, air, or ship is known as freight shipping. In some cases, intermodal transport is necessary, which means a combination of rail and road transportation will be used to move the goods.

There are several options when it comes to shipping freight. How you ship freight will likely depend on the size of the shipment and where it needs to go. The basic options for shipping freight include: 

– Truck
– Railway 

– Airplane 

– Ship

A standard shipping industry classification, freight class is also known as NMFC or National Motor Freight Classification. In the shipping industry, freight class is used to provide a standard comparison of commodities for classification and identification.

Class for shipping freight helps to simplify the evaluation of billions of different goods shipped every year. A defined source of common ground makes the facilitation of freight rate negotiations and logistics easier and more productive.

Several factors are used to determine the freight shipping rate including:

  • Weight
  • Density & Cube
  • Distance
  • Fuel Surcharge
  • Mode of Transportation
  • Additional Services

Pallet rates may also be used for shipments on pallets. A flat pallet rate may be provided for regular pallets (48″ x 48″). Larger pallets may provide a different set of shipping rates.

LDL or Less than truckload freight shipping is used for smaller freight. LTL means you don’t need the entire truck for your shipment. Instead of paying for the whole truck, you’ll pay for the portion your freight occupies, while other shippers will occupy the rest of the truck.

 

With LTL freight shipping, you’ll need freight under 15,000 pounds that don’t take up a full trailer. It’s a good option for those seeking maximum cost savings.

No. Freight and shipping are different. Freight may also be referred to as cargo. It’s goods or products being transported for commercial gain by ship, truck, rail, or plane. Usually, freight is the term used when shipping bulk goods.

 

Shipping is a more general term used to refer to moving goods for commercial or non-commercial reasons. While this term can refer to bulk transportation of goods, it’s more often used to refer to transporting a smaller amount of goods.

An LTL freight carrier is a carrier shipping smaller cargo loads. LTL stands for Less than truckload, which means this type of carrier is transporting multiple shipments in one truckload.


Each shipper will pay for the portion of the truck their cargo occupies. The carrier will move all the shipments from the origination point to the final destination. An LTL freight carrier will deliver the shipment loaded into the truck last to its’ destination first, in most cases.

After going through the proper training and gaining some experience as a truck driver, you can become a freight for ArdentX. We help companies ship goods all across the country. Our team works hard to make sure you stay busy and we’re available 24/7.

If you’re interested in becoming a freight carrier for ArdentX, contact us today at 904.517.5295 or [email protected].

Yes. Freight brokers and freight forwarders can also be carriers. They will need to register with the FMCSA as both a motor carrier and a broker. Even if a freight broker only brokers loads on occasion, they will need to register as both with the FMCSA.

After gaining some experience as a truck driver, you may be wondering how you can become an owner operator. Before you make the decision to become an owner operator, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

 

If you know this is what you want to do, you’ll need to have a CDL, the right financial situation to purchase trucking equipment, get licensed and registered as an owner operator, lease a truck, purchase trucking insurance, and find loads to transport.

Freight forwarding is the process of organizing shipments for companies or individuals. When you hire someone to provide freight forwarding services, they will act as the middle-man between you and the carrier. Usually, they have negotiated lower rates for shipping and provide more options to fit your specific needs.

An owner operator is a small business owner, in a sense. They usually work as independent contractors in the trucking industry. Instead of working for a company as a truck driver, you will own the truck (usually through a lease) and operate with the freedom to choose the loads you take.

 

You will be responsible for all the expenses needed for your truck. As an owner operator, you will also gain the freedom to choose when you drive, where you drive, and what you carry.

A freight forwarder is an intermediate between you (the shipper) and the carrier or final point of distribution. Your freight forwarder won’t actually move the freight. Instead, they arrange for the transportation of your freight by air, ocean, or land.

A 3PL company is a third-party logistics company providing more than just freight forwarding services. Typically, they will also integrate into your transportation and warehousing procedures.

 

When you hire a 3PL, you’ll have access to a single service or a bundle of services, depending on the needs of your supply chain. A good 3PL will help to enhance your financial, operational, and customer performance.

 

A 3PL brokerage is a company with the ability to act as a 3PL and a freight brokerage. This type of company can connect shippers with carriers or they can take over your entire supply chain by providing logistics services.

The biggest difference between a 3PL and a 4PL is the service each provides. A 3PL handles your shipments, while a 4PL will handle your entire supply chain.

 

A 3PL is a fulfillment company with a fleet of trucks capable of moving goods from one location to another. A 4PL takes things a step further. When you choose a 4PL, the company will be able to provide more logistics services to support your entire supply chain.