Basics
What is freight?
Freight is goods transported commercially between locations. A shipment may be one pallet, a full truckload, or a container; the details determine how it should move.
Before you ship your first load
The practical starting point is a shipment description, not a carrier name. Write down the actual commodity, packaged quantity, overall dimensions, total weight, pickup and delivery locations, and available dates. Those details shape the choice between a parcel carrier, less-than-truckload service, dedicated truck, or another freight mode.
What to check
- Identify the commodity in ordinary language, including any unusual characteristics.
- Measure packed dimensions and total shipping weight—not only the product itself.
- Collect pickup and delivery addresses and loading-hour restrictions.
Common mistake: treating “freight” as synonymous with “a full truck.” Many freight movements use shared capacity or more than one transportation mode.