What information do I need for an LTL quote?

Six essentials: origin/destination ZIP, commodity description, total weight, dimensions L×W×H, pallet count, and accessorial requirements (liftgate, residential, appointment).

Do I need an NMFC code?

Not always. If you don't have one, our system calculates freight class from density. But for fragile, hazmat, or unusual commodities, manual NMFC verification reduces rebill risk.

What is rebill and how do I avoid it?

Rebill happens when carriers reweigh/remeasure your shipment and find it different from what you declared. Avoid by providing accurate weight, dimensions, and properly classifying the commodity upfront.

What's the difference between commercial and residential delivery?

Commercial delivery to business with a dock: cheapest. Residential delivery adds $50-150+ for special equipment (liftgate) and appointment scheduling. Always declare delivery location type.

LTL Quote Checklist · 6 Steps to Avoid Rebill

The 6-Step Quote Checklist

Walk through these 6 in 5 minutes. Every LTL carrier API (TQL/CHR/Echo/GTZ/ODFL/Estes etc.) requires these same inputs.

📍 Origin & Destination ZIP

5-digit ZIPs define the lane. Same commodity can vary 30-50% by lane. LA → NYC is ~40% more than LA → Dallas.

💡 Tip: Use ZIP+4 (e.g., 91745-1234) for accuracy. Helps auto-detect commercial vs residential.

📦 Commodity Description

More specific = more accurate. "Machine parts" is vague (carriers quote high class). "Auto brake rotors, boxed" is specific (system matches correct NMFC).

💡 Tip: Include material + packaging ("plastic bumpers, crated" / "steel sheets, palletized & banded").

⚠️ Common miss: Calling electronics "general merchandise" — actual class often 50-100% higher.

⚖️ Total Weight (lbs)

Actual scale weight including pallets and packaging. Carriers reweigh at dock — underreporting by 50 lbs triggers rebill + penalty.

💡 Tip: Use a commercial scale or forklift scale, not estimates. Wood pallet ~40 lbs, plastic ~30 lbs.

📐 Dimensions L × W × H (inches)

Measure widest/tallest including any protrusions. Density = weight ÷ volume drives freight class. Understating by 4 inches can bump class 70 → 100.

💡 Standard US pallet 48"×40". Items over 84" tall or 96" long trigger over-size surcharge.

🟫 Pallet / Piece Count + Stackable?

Pallet count affects trailer space. Stackable freight is 10-20% cheaper than non-stackable — but fragile/glass/foam-boxed items typically can't stack.

💡 Tip: Split pallets > 1500 lbs (most LTL carriers cap pallets at 2000-2500 lbs).

🚚 Accessorials

Declare all special requirements upfront. Otherwise carrier adds $50-200 per item after pickup. Common accessorials:

Liftgate (required if no dock)
Residential (home address with apartment / single-family residence)
Appointment (required by schools, government, big retailers)
Inside Delivery (into the building, not curb)
Limited Access (farms / construction sites / campuses)
Hazmat (must include UN# + MSDS)

⚠️ Top 5 Quote Pitfalls

These can make your final bill 30-100% higher than the quote.

1. Underreporting Weight or Size

Carriers reweigh and remeasure at hub. Variance > 5% triggers rebill + $50-100 service fee.

2. Declaring Too Low Freight Class

Declaring Class 70 to "save money" then carrier reclassifies to Class 200 → rate difference + handling fee.

3. Forgot Residential / Liftgate

Residential + Liftgate can add $200-300. Driver arrives, no dock, can't unload → return-to-terminal + redelivery costs more.

4. Late POD Upload

If POD not uploaded within 48h of delivery, some carriers bill "non-delivered" + storage fee $50/day.

5. Comparing Base Rate Only

Cheapest base rate may exclude fuel surcharge (FSC 18-30%). Compare total sell price, not base rate.

FAQ

Can I get a quote without an NMFC code? +

Yes. Our system auto-calculates freight class from density. But fragile, hazmat, or unusual commodities benefit from manual NMFC verification. Look up codes free at our NMFC Lookup Tool.

When should I use LTL vs parcel vs FTL? +

Rule of thumb: under 150 lbs per piece → parcel; 150-15,000 lbs total or 1-12 pallets → LTL; over 15,000 lbs or 13+ pallets → FTL truckload. Our quote system suggests the most economical option automatically.

Why do you need dimensions? +

Freight class is set by 4 factors: density, handling, stowability, liability. Density (weight ÷ volume) is most important. Understating size by 4 inches can bump class 70 → 100 — 25%+ more expensive.

When do I need liftgate? +

When pickup or delivery has no loading dock. Residential, farms, schools, small storefronts, and small businesses in commercial parks typically need it. Liftgate usually adds $50-100 per shipment.

How long is a quote valid? +

ShipOnlines LTL quotes are valid 4 hours by default (carrier capacity changes). Drayage / TL have different windows. One-click Re-quote if expired.

What if actual freight differs from declared? +

Carrier reweighs/remeasures and rebills (rate difference + handling fee). We notify you to confirm or amend. Rebill appears as an Adjustment line on your order — never hidden charges.

6 Inputs Before Requesting an LTL Quote