The shipping and logistics industries have no shortage of specialized terminology, and LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping is no exception. The acronyms and identifiers can be tricky to parse, but understanding them makes booking and tracking loads significantly easier. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most common identifiers used in LTL shipping.
National Motor Freight Classification: The National Motor Freight Traffic Association publishes the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) standard that determines class, pricing, handling, and liability for commodities moving in interstate, intrastate, and foreign commerce. The NMFC system assigns every commodity a “class” based on density, handling, stowability, and liability. We’ve created a two-page guide to easily understand freight classes for LTL shipments.
Bill of lading: The bill of lading, or BOL, is the legal and operational anchor of an LTL shipment. A BOL can either be an electronic or a paper document.
Proof of delivery: POD, short for proof of delivery, confirms that freight has arrived and often requires a signature. These documents capture delivery confirmation electronically to increase efficiency. They can be in paper or digital format.
PRO number: Every LTL shipment requires a unique primary reference number, called a PRO number for short. A PRO number follows the shipment end-to-end and is critical for tracking freight across multiple transfer points. PRO numbers are unique to LTL and aren’t used in truckload or small parcels. In case you’re curious, PRO stands for progressive rotating order.
Overages, shortages, and damages: Called OS&D for short, these are discrepancies discovered when freight arrives damaged, has missing items, or contains more units than expected. Carriers document OS&D at terminals or during delivery, and that documentation is used to resolve claims and track inventory gaps.
ZIP-to-ZIP maps: ZIP-to-ZIP maps define carrier service coverage by origin and destination postal codes. There are 10 ZIP zones in the U.S., three in Canada, and one in Mexico. They help determine whether a carrier serves a lane, transit times, and rate bases for pricing.
Terminal codes: Terminal codes identify the local service facility responsible for handling freight at specific points in the shipment lifecycle. Knowing terminal codes helps shippers understand routing, identify who to contact for service questions, and track freight.
Appointment numbers: Many receivers require scheduled delivery appointments for LTL freight. Appointment numbers are confirmation IDs that ensure the carrier is cleared to arrive within a defined timeframe. These identifiers streamline dock scheduling and help shippers avoid accessorial charges.
Lean in Understanding LTL terminology takes the mystery out of the freight world and gives you the tools to communicate clearly with stakeholders, carriers, and customers, but there is always more to learn. Check out our posts on overall freight terms and Amazon-specific terms all shippers should know.
If you’re ready to get shipping today, create your Amazon Freight account to book your first LTL load.
