The logistics landscape is evolving rapidly, and small businesses are finding themselves at a crossroads. Rising ecommerce volumes, expanding customer expectations, and the need to compete with larger enterprises have made efficient shipping more critical than ever.
Yet many small to mid-sized businesses struggle with a fundamental challenge: their shipment volumes don’t fit neatly into traditional freight categories. They’re too large for parcel services but too small to justify full truckload rates. This is where small freight shipping becomes not just relevant, but essential.
Understanding how this shipping mode works and when to use it can mean the difference between overpaying for unused truck space and finding a sustainable path to growth. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about small freight shipping, from the basics of how it operates to the strategic advantages it offers businesses ready to scale.
What is small freight shipping?
Small freight shipping refers to the transportation of goods that fall between standard parcel shipments and full truckload (FTL) quantities. Typically, this includes shipments ranging from one to six pallets, or roughly 150 to 10,000 pounds, though exact parameters can vary by carrier and service provider.
This shipping mode is more commonly known in the logistics industry as less-than-truckload, or LTL. The term captures the essential characteristic: you’re shipping less freight than would fill an entire truck, but enough that it requires professional freight handling rather than standard parcel delivery.
“Less-than-truckload shipping changes the economics of freight for businesses,” says Max Sadler, Head of Inbound Sales at Amazon Freight. “Instead of paying for unused trailer space, LTL lets you ship what you need, when you need it, by sharing space with other shipments.”
Unlike parcel shipping, which handles individual packages through sorting facilities and delivery networks, small freight shipping treats your goods as freight requiring specialized handling, equipment, and documentation. However, unlike full truckload shipping where you’re paying for an entire truck’s capacity, small freight allows you to share truck space with other shippers’ goods, paying only for the space your shipment actually uses.
This shipping mode is particularly common in industries where businesses regularly move moderate quantities of goods. Manufacturers shipping components to assembly facilities, wholesalers distributing products to regional retailers, and ecommerce businesses fulfilling bulk orders to warehouses all rely heavily on small freight shipping.
A boutique furniture manufacturer might ship five pallets of chairs to a showroom across the country. A food distributor might send three pallets of specialty ingredients to a restaurant chain’s regional kitchen. A subscription box company might transport four pallets of curated products to a fulfillment center for final assembly and distribution.
The key distinction is that small freight shipping bridges a critical gap in the logistics ecosystem. It provides businesses with freight-level service and handling without requiring them to generate full truckload volumes, making freight shipping accessible to companies at various stages of growth.
How small freight shipping works
Understanding the mechanics of small freight shipping helps businesses prepare shipments properly and set realistic expectations for transit times and handling requirements.
The process begins with booking, which has evolved significantly with technology. Modern small freight shipping allows businesses to request quotes digitally, compare rates across carriers, and book shipments through online systems. Amazon Freight, for example, offers seamless digital booking that allows businesses to compare rates, schedule pickups, and manage shipments through an integrated system with GPS tracking for status updates.
Once booked, proper preparation becomes critical. Small freight shipments require palletizing goods to facilitate handling with forklifts and pallet jacks. Businesses must secure items properly, apply appropriate labels with shipment information and handling instructions, and complete necessary documentation including bills of lading.
During pickup, carriers arrive at the scheduled time with equipment capable of loading palletized freight. The driver inspects the shipment, verifies documentation, and loads the pallets onto the truck. From there, the shipment enters the carrier’s network, where it may be consolidated with other shipments heading in similar directions to optimize truck capacity and routing efficiency.
Transportation involves moving the freight through the carrier’s network, which may include transfers between trucks or stops at distribution centers. Finally, delivery occurs at the destination, where the carrier unloads the pallets and obtains proof of delivery. The entire process, from booking to delivery, is designed to balance efficiency with reliability, ensuring goods arrive intact and on schedule.
Why small businesses should care about small freight shipping
Small freight shipping isn’t just another logistics option—it’s a strategic capability that can fundamentally change how small and mid-sized businesses compete and grow.
The most immediate impact is cost control. When you’re shipping quantities that don’t fill an entire truck, paying for full truckload service means potentially paying for empty space you’re not using. Small freight shipping eliminates this waste by allowing you to pay only for the capacity your shipment requires. This pricing structure makes professional freight shipping accessible to businesses that might otherwise be priced out of efficient distribution networks.
Beyond cost savings, small freight shipping makes nationwide and regional expansion possible even without massive shipment volumes.
“Think about a small manufacturer in Wisconsin shipping custom parts to a tech startup in California—that’s the kind of connection LTL makes possible,” says Sadler. “You don’t need the volume to fill entire trucks or the capital to build warehouses across the country. You can test new regions, serve customers wherever they are, and grow into new territories organically.”
The scalability factor is equally important. As businesses grow, their shipping needs evolve. Small freight shipping provides a flexible middle ground that can accommodate fluctuating volumes and seasonal variations.
During peak seasons, you can ship more frequently. During slower periods, you can scale back without being locked into contracts requiring minimum volumes. This flexibility supports sustainable growth by allowing shipping capacity to expand in step with business needs rather than requiring large upfront commitments.
Common misconceptions about small freight shipping
Despite its advantages, several misconceptions prevent businesses from fully leveraging small freight shipping.
Misconception 1: Small freight shipping requires long-term contracts or minimum volume commitments. Many small business owners assume they need to commit to regular shipping volumes or sign lengthy contracts to access freight services. In reality, small freight shipping is designed specifically for flexibility. Businesses can ship as needed without minimum volume requirements, making it ideal for companies with variable or seasonal shipping patterns. This pay-as-you-go approach allows businesses to scale their shipping up or down based on actual demand.
Misconception 2: It’s too complicated for businesses without logistics expertise. The perception that freight shipping requires specialized knowledge and complex processes deters many businesses from exploring these options. Modern small freight services have dramatically simplified the process through digital booking systems, automated documentation, and customer support designed for businesses new to freight shipping. The learning curve is far less steep than many assume.
Misconception 3: Small freight is slower than other shipping methods. Some businesses believe that because small freight shipments may be consolidated with other goods, transit times will be significantly longer than dedicated services. While small freight may not match the speed of premium expedited services, modern routing optimization and network efficiency mean that transit times are often competitive with other shipping modes, particularly for regional and medium-distance shipments.
Misconception 4: You need consistent, high volumes to use small freight services. Businesses sometimes think they need to ship regularly or in large quantities to access small freight services. In fact, small freight shipping is designed to accommodate variable volumes and irregular shipping schedules, making it ideal for businesses with seasonal fluctuations or growing companies still building consistent volume.
Misconception 5: Small freight shipping lacks the reliability of other methods. Concerns about damaged goods, missed deliveries, or poor communication lead some businesses to stick with familiar parcel services even when freight would be more appropriate. Quality small freight providers offer robust tracking and professional handling. Amazon Freight, for instance, equips every trailer with GPS tracking for timely pickup and delivery status updates, demonstrating the operational safety and reliability built into modern freight services.
Benefits of small freight shipping
Cost savings
The financial advantage of small freight shipping stems from paying only for the truck space your shipment actually uses rather than subsidizing empty capacity. For a business shipping three pallets from Chicago to Atlanta, the difference between paying for those three pallets versus paying for an entire truck can represent hundreds or even thousands of dollars per shipment. Over the course of a year, these savings compound significantly.
The cost structure also provides predictability. Unlike parcel services where dimensional weight calculations can create unexpected charges, small freight pricing is typically more straightforward, based on weight, dimensions, and distance. This transparency allows for more accurate budgeting and cost forecasting, helping businesses manage cash flow more effectively.
Flexibility
Small freight shipping adapts to your business rather than forcing your business to adapt to rigid shipping requirements. If you need to ship two pallets this week and five pallets next week, the service accommodates both scenarios without penalty. This flexibility extends to routing options, delivery timing, and service levels, allowing businesses to optimize each shipment based on specific needs rather than conforming to one-size-fits-all solutions.
The ability to ship varying quantities also supports inventory management strategies. Businesses can maintain leaner inventory levels and ship more frequently in smaller quantities, reducing warehousing costs and improving cash flow by not tying up capital in excess stock.
Scalability
As businesses grow, small freight shipping grows with them. A company shipping one pallet per month can use the same service provider and processes when they scale to ten pallets per week. This continuity eliminates the need to completely overhaul logistics operations at various growth stages, reducing the operational disruption that often accompanies business expansion.
The scalability also works in reverse during slower periods. Unlike contracts requiring minimum volumes or dedicated capacity, small freight services allow businesses to scale back shipments without penalties, providing a buffer during challenging economic conditions.
Competitive advantage
Access to professional freight services allows small businesses to compete with larger enterprises on service quality and delivery capabilities. When a small manufacturer can promise the same reliable delivery timelines and tracking visibility as a major competitor, the size disadvantage diminishes.
“This leveling effect is particularly important in B2B contexts where buyers expect professional logistics capabilities regardless of supplier size,” says Sadler.
When should a business use small freight shipping?
Understanding the right scenarios for small freight shipping helps businesses optimize their logistics strategy and avoid overpaying for inappropriate services.
Scenario |
Description |
Example |
Shipping multiple pallets but not a full truckload |
When your shipment consists of one to six pallets—too much for parcel services but not enough to justify a full truck |
A regional food distributor sending three pallets of products to a restaurant chain or a furniture retailer shipping four pallets of inventory to a showroom |
Dealing with seasonal or inconsistent volumes |
Businesses with significant seasonal fluctuations that need to scale shipping up and down without contracts or minimum volume commitments |
A company that ships heavily during holiday seasons but maintains minimal shipping during other periods |
Expanding into new regional or national locations |
Testing new geographic areas or gradually building a presence in distant regions without committing to infrastructure and volume requirements |
Shipping directly to customers or retail locations in new areas to validate demand before making larger investments |
Balancing speed with cost efficiency |
Shipments where next-day delivery isn’t critical but reasonable transit times matter |
A manufacturer shipping components to an assembly facility with a week’s lead time |
Seeking sustainable, space-optimized shipping solutions |
Businesses focused on environmental responsibility that want to reduce empty miles and improve transportation efficiency |
Companies that want to share truck space with other shippers to reduce their carbon footprint compared to shipping partially filled trucks |
Why choose Amazon Freight?
Amazon Freight inbound LTL combines advanced technology, deep logistics expertise, and a trusted carrier network to deliver reliable, scalable shipping solutions for businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional freight brokers who simply connect shippers with carriers, Amazon Freight leverages the same sophisticated logistics infrastructure that powers Amazon’s global operations, bringing enterprise-grade capabilities to small and medium-sized businesses.
The service is built on Amazon’s extensive carrier network and fleet of 70,000+ trailers, providing the capacity and reliability that businesses need to grow confidently. Get started by creating your account here.
