GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Less-than-truckload
Grouping consignments from multiple shippers into a single trailer to share transport costs – that is the principle behind Less-than-Truckload (LTL) freight.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less-than-truckload_shipping
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Definition & Explanation
Grouping consignments from multiple shippers into a single trailer to share transport costs – that is the principle behind Less-than-Truckload (LTL) freight. Carriers consolidate partial loads, allocate each shipper a proportional share of the cost, and route the combined shipment through a hub-and-spoke network. Per-unit rates are substantially lower than Full Truckload (FTL), but transit times are longer because shipments pass through collection, sorting, and last-mile delivery hubs. LTL is the standard solution for businesses with consistent but moderate shipping volumes and should not be confused with express parcel services, which operate on different networks and at different price points.
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⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020
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