LTL is a transportation industry acronym for "Less than TruckLoad". It denotes shipments moved by common carriers that are larger and heavier than parcel deliveries, but smaller than those that would fill an entire semi-trailer. Loads less than 250 lbs. shipped via LTL typically incur a minimum charge equal to the 250 lb. rate.

The LTLRater was developed to allow individual LTL shippers, whose annual volume of shipments would not qualify them for any significant discounts from common carriers, to join a large pool of shippers, thereby creating sufficient leverage to allow them all to enjoy favorable rates from a variety of carriers.

By simply logging into a web-based account and entering necessary shipment information, LTLRater shippers are provided with instantaneous quotes from several carriers, all on the same web browser page. Shippers are then free to compare and choose a carrier for that shipment based on any criteria they desire-- price, service days, experience with a carrier, delivery guarantee, limits of liability, or a combination thereof.

ALS, and companies like it in other regions, acts as a marketing partner for a larger entity who contracts with major freight carriers to obtain discounted freight rates it can then offer to its large pool of shipper customers. The carriers, rather than invoicing the shipper or consignee directly, as they would for a normal shipment, instead forward their billing to the "third party" involved in the transaction, with whom they have negotiated the lower rates. This consolidated billing creates further economies to users of the LTLRater system.

The National Motor Freight Classification codifies into distinct classes literally thousands of commodities likely to be shipped via the participating common carriers who agree to be bound by its classification system. Factors such as weight, item type, dimensions, density, and valuation, among others, are used to determine a classification. NMFC classes are used by the common carriers to determine how their freight charges are applied to each commodity. Commodities may also be subject to variations called sub-classes or rules that may affect how a particular commodity is rated. ALS can help you determine your commodity's NMFC class, or the manufacturer of your commodity may be able to provide it to you.

Accessorial charges are just what they sound like-- charges for services rendered as an "accessory" to a shipment. If all shipments were sent prepaid from one dock-height terminal to another, there would be few accessorial charges. But, because all shipments differ in terms of what is required to complete them, accessorial charges over and above the freight rate are sometimes necessary. Typical charges might include lift gate service, inside delivery, residential delivery, collection of a COD amount, and the like.

What's important to know about them is that not all carriers charge the same amount for each accessorial, and some carriers on our system waive certain accessorial charges. Therefore, the combination of a low freight rate and a high lift gate charge from one carrier might be more expensive overall than a carrier with a slightly higher freight charge but a very low lift gate fee. The LTLRater system knows what each carrier's current fees are and is able to give you a complete, customized, bottom-line quote from each carrier simultaneously. This is why it's so important to know and enter all the information you can about a shipment you are considering making before generating a system quote.

Pallet and packaging weight must be considered part of the total chargeable shipping weight. The average pallet weighs about 50 pounds.

Service days are the number of days the carrier typically takes to deliver a shipment from point to point. The longer the distance, the higher number of days. Weekends and holidays are not counted, however, nor is the day of pick up. Therefore, a shipment listed as three service days tendered on Friday should reach the destination the following Wednesday. Service days are not guaranteed, and are only to be used as a general guideline. Should a shipment be time-sensitive, many carriers offer guaranteed service (at a higher rate).

The LTLRater system generates rate quotes based on the information supplied by the shipper at the time of the quote. The shipment, however, is subject to possible re-weighing or reclassification by the carrier once it reaches its terminal, resulting in the rate change. Accessorial charges not specified at the time of the quote may also end up being required and added to the rate. Correct weights, NMFC commodity codes, freight classifications, and accessorial requirements should always be used when rating a shipment in order to insure the rate quoted matches the ultimate actual charges. Any time a carrier re-rates a shipment, the reason for the additional charges will be noted on your invoice.

The shipment most likely moved using the wrong BOL (Bill Of Lading). BOLs provided by the carrier's pickup driver should NEVER be used. The BOL created by the LTL Rater System MUST be used in order to receive system pricing. If you create an inbound or drop shipment, the party at the point of pickup must be faxed the LTLRater BOL and make certain it is used in order for you to be invoiced through the LTLRater system at its preferred rates. This is why the system conveniently creates a fax cover sheet, with specific instructions and information, to be used with the BOL for every inbound or drop shipment. For outbound shipments from your location, make sure the carrier's pickup driver is given the LTLRater BOL to use, and that you retain a signed copy of it with the carrier PRO number label attached. Note: Occasionally, a carrier's billing department may overlook the third party billing instruction on the LTLRater BOL. Your signed LTLRater system copy assures the billing will be corrected appropriately.

As a condition of the contracts the LTLRater system negotiates, carriers are precluded from under-selling. While it does sometimes happen, ALS asks that Rater customers report any such under-selling to us immediately. If your volume of shipments has increased substantially since you first began using the system, you may want to ask ALS for a re-analysis of your shipping patterns to see if you qualify for further system discounts. ALS understands that each business must consider its own best interests and act accordingly, but, ultimately, we feel that the LTLRater offers the most in the way of flexibility, ease-of-use, and overall value of any LTL freight management program.