In any business that deals with shipping goods, understanding the differences between various types of shipments is very important to ensure efficiency and profitability. Each type of shipment is different and hence their shipping method as well. Each has its own set of characteristics, benefits, and ideal use cases. This article will explore two types of shipments – parcel and less-than-truckload (LTL) or Full-Truck-Load (FTL) and help you determine which is best suited for your needs.
1. Parcel Shipments
Definition: Parcel shipments refer to individual packages or parcels typically weighing less than 20Kg. These shipments are handled by almost all courier services like Delhivery, Xpressbees, Bluedart, Shadowfax, Ekart, DTDC etc.
Characteristics:
- Size and Weight: Generally limited to small packages, typically weighing up to 10 Kg and with a maximum girth (length + circumference) of around 100 inches. The maximum dimensions allowed vary by courier.
- Speed: Parcel shipments can be shipped via various delivery speeds, including same-day, next-day, two-day, and standard shipping options.
- Handling: Parcels are handled multiple times during transit, often passing through several distribution centers and being sorted manually or through automated systems.
- Volumetric Weight: At iCarry.in the denominator is 5000 for all courier partners.
Volumetric Weight in Kg = Length (cm) x Breadth (cm) x Height (cm) / 5000
Benefits:
- Convenience: Ideal for small, lightweight items that need to be delivered quickly.
- Accessibility: Available through numerous courier services with extensive networks.
- Flexibility: Offers a variety of delivery speeds and service levels to meet different needs.
- Rate: On iCarry.in, we offer multiple courier partners providing this service for best coverage all over India at the lowest rates. You can easily get an estimate and compare the rates by going to our Online Rate Calculator.
Use Cases:
- E-commerce deliveries
- Sending documents or small products
- Residential and small business shipments
2. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full-Truck-Load (FTL) Shipments
Definition: LTL and FTL shipments are a type of freight shipping where multiple shipments from different businesses are consolidated into a single truckload. Each shipment occupies a portion of the truck's space, and costs are shared among the shippers (if full truck cannot be accommodated).
Characteristics:
- Size and Weight: Typically involves shipments weighing between 20Kg to many thousands of Kg (tones).
- Consolidation: Multiple shipments are consolidated to optimize the use of the truck's capacity, reducing costs.
- Handling: Requires coordination for loading, unloading, and delivering to multiple destinations.
- Multi-Box: Can be a single box or many boxes constituting one single shipment. Multi-Box Online Rate Calculator.
- Volumetric Weight: At iCarry.in the denominator is 4500 for most courier partners.
Delhivery LTL:
Volumetric Weight in Kg = Length (cm) x Breadth (cm) x Height (cm) / 4500
Delhivery LTL:
Volumetric Weight in Kg = Length (cm) x Breadth (cm) x Height (cm) / 4500
Delhivery LTL:
Volumetric Weight in Kg = Length (cm) x Breadth (cm) x Height (cm) / 4500
Benefits:
- Cost Savings: More economical than sending via Parcel service.
- Flexibility: Suitable for businesses that don't have enough goods to fill an entire truck or can fill a truck.
- Efficiency: Reduces shipping costs by sharing space with other shippers.
Use Cases:
- Small to medium-sized businesses shipping moderate quantities of goods
- E-commerce businesses with larger product sizes
- Shipments that are too large for parcel service but don't require a full truck
Summary
Choosing the right shipping method—Parcel, FTL or LTL—depends on the size, weight, and quantity of your shipments, as well as your budget and delivery timeline. Parcel shipments are ideal for small, lightweight items requiring fast delivery. FTL shipments are best for large, heavy, or bulk goods. LTL shipments offer a cost-effective solution for medium-sized shipments that don't require a full truck. By understanding the differences between these shipping methods, businesses can optimize their logistics strategies, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
At iCarry.in, we provide efficient and cost effective solutions for shipping all sizes of shipments. You can ship anything from a document to bulky shipments at the best rates all over India without worrying about negotiating with various courier partners to get the best rates.
The right shipping method isn't about size alone - it's about matching your shipment characteristics with the most efficient and cost-effective solution for your business needs.