You can determine if your package is considered freight primarily by its weight and the method of transport typically used for such shipments.
Understanding Freight Shipments
A key indicator that your package falls under the category of freight is its weight. Generally, any shipment over 150 pounds (approximately 68 kg) is classified as freight. This distinction is significant because freight shipments are handled differently from smaller, standard packages.
Freight shipping involves transporting goods in bulk. These larger, heavier shipments require specialized logistics and are typically moved using various modes of transportation designed for large volumes, including:
- Ships: For international or long-distance domestic water transport.
- Aircraft: For expedited international or domestic air cargo.
- Trucks: The most common method for domestic land transport.
- Intermodal Transport: Combining different modes like trains for long hauls and trucks for local delivery, often utilizing containers that can be easily transferred between modes.
Freight can be shipped both domestically (within the same country) and internationally (between countries), via land, air, or sea.
Key Indicators Your Package Is Freight:
- Weight: If your package weighs more than 150 pounds.
- Size: Freight often involves items that are too large to be handled by standard parcel services.
- Handling: It requires specialized equipment (like forklifts or pallet jacks) for loading and unloading.
- Packaging: Often involves pallets, crates, or large industrial packaging.
- Documentation: May require more extensive paperwork, such as a Bill of Lading (BOL).
Why the Distinction Matters
Knowing whether your package is freight is crucial because it impacts how your shipment is priced, handled, and delivered. Freight services involve different carriers, pricing structures, and transit times compared to standard parcel services. They are designed to efficiently move large, heavy, or bulky items, often offering more robust tracking and specialized handling for industrial or commercial goods.
