If you have goods that you need to ship across long distances, you will need to work with a freight shipping company to get these products to their destinations. Freight shipping allows for your goods to go around the world to your customers. When it comes to freight shipping, it is essential to understand your different options.

1. Truckload

First, there is truckload freight, also referred to as TL. With this type of shipment, you are shipping enough freight to fill up an entire semi-truck. Even though freight shipments can technically be sent by planes, trains, or even ships, it is measured by how it fills up a freight shipment. A truckload means that you are sending enough pallets or weight to fill up a freight truck. This type of shipment is designed to be picked up at one location and then routed directly to its destination.

2. Less Than Truckload

Another common business shipping option is less than truckload (LTL) shipments. This is issued if you have many pallets, somewhere in the range of one to six, but you don't have enough pallets to fill up the entire truck on your own. With LTL, you are just paying for the space that your pallets take up in the truck.

With LTL shipments, your shipment is taken to a central hub. From there, it is then combined with other shipments and routed to its destination. This means your goods will be shipped with multiple other shipments. With this shipping option, your load will go through various stops and transfers, which means the shipping time may take a little longer.

3. Partial Truckload

A partial truckload is a little different than an LTL shipment. With this shipment, you are sending a higher number of pallets, often in the double digits, but still not enough to fill up an entire trailer. With a partial truckload, your trailer will be split with one or two other shipments. The number of pick-ups and drop-offs is less than with an LTL, but still not as direct as with a truckload shipment.

4. Shared Truckload (STL)

Another option is shared truckloads. With this, your goods are not sent through any terminals or hubs. However, you are still sending your shipment with other businesses' shipments as well. Using this type of shipment means the truck picks up loads that are going in the same direction.

There are lots of different types of ways to ship your goods. Contact a freight company to figure out what shipping option will fit your needs.