Less Than Truckload (LTL) is a trucking service for shipments that are too small to fill an entire trailer. Instead of reserving a full truck, multiple shippers share space on the same vehicle, and the freight is priced and handled as part of a consolidated load.
How LTL moves freight
LTL shipments usually travel through a terminal network, where freight is sorted, combined, and transferred between trucks as needed. That makes LTL well suited for palletized goods, replenishment shipments, and other cargo that does not require a dedicated trailer, although transit time can be longer than with direct truckload service.
Because several shipments may be handled together, accurate labeling, secure packaging, and clear paperwork matter. Shippers commonly provide a bill of lading, pickup and delivery addresses, freight class or commodity details when required by the carrier, and any accessorial instructions such as liftgate service or inside delivery. Damage risk can be affected by how well the freight is packed and crated for repeated handling.
LTL is different from full truckload (FTL): the shipper pays for only the space and service level the freight needs, not the entire trailer. For importers and exporters moving cargo within the United States, it is often a practical option for distribution from ports, warehouses, or customs-cleared facilities to multiple destinations.