Your Ultimate Guide to Specialty Freight 2022

When it comes to freight, it’s true that one size does not fit all. That’s why businesses need a flexible freight shipping partner who can quickly pivot to ship products of any size, shape, or weight.

When selecting the right 3PL provider for your business’s transportation needs, it’s important for shippers to evaluate their multi-modal offerings to ensure reliable services for any type of shipment. As a shipper, you’ll want to look for a well-rounded 3PL provider who has long-standing partnerships with reliable service providers, like TA Services. The logistics experts at TA Services offer a vast array of freight services at reasonable rates to help mitigate all supply chain conditions.

At TA Services, we help our customers evaluate the various shipping options available to them, so they know they’re making the right choice. We have expert resources in all specialty services—including extreme length, heavy haul, less-than-truckload, hazmat, high value, and more—and we’ve been a trusted source of reliable shipping services for more than 35 years.

To give you a taste of the expertise we offer our customers, we’ve put together a five-part series on everything you need to know about specialty freight.

So, what are specialty freight services?

Specialty freight services include less-than-truckload (LTL), extreme length (EL), temperature controlled, heavy haul, expedited, high value, and hazmat. These types of freight aren’t your typical full truckload shipments—they need specialty equipment and services, such as temperature requirements, length and weight requirements, and increased security.

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Partial LTL

When your shipment isn’t large enough to fill a full truckload, Less-Than-Truckload or partial LTL may be the right creative solution. With these methods, your freight can be combined with other parties’ shipments on one single truck, allowing you to reduce your overall shipping costs. In part two of this series, we will explore when and why shippers should use Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and partial LTL.

Extreme Length

Have you ever had a shipment that exceeds the length limit designated by the carrier? Limits can vary, but most consider any pallet that measures more than 8 feet long to fall in the extreme length (EL) category. These types of freight can be difficult to move as they often have hefty fees tacked on. Picking a 3PL that is well-versed in extreme length shipments is paramount to cutting costs if you are often moving large parts or equipment, particularly for manufacturing clients and services that send products which do not fit within common form factors. In part two of this specialty freight services series, we will answer some frequently asked questions about extreme length.

Temperature Controlled

The umbrella of e-commerce has rapidly expanded in every way over the past few years, but without a doubt, the fastest expanding sub-vertical of e-commerce has been grocery and perishable freight delivery. Fruits, vegetables, frozen meals, ice cream, and more require specialized temperature-controlled carriers to ensure that customers receive the freshest product, whether that be at the grocery store or directly to their front door. But foods aren’t the only items that need to be kept fresh; plants, cosmetics, artwork, electronics, pharmaceuticals and much more also require cold storage. In part three of this series, you’ll learn more about the ins and outs of temperature-controlled freight.

Heavy Haul & Oversized

E-commerce largely focuses on densely packed pallets containing consumer products ready for market, but some businesses have other needs from their less-than-truckload carriers—heavy ones. When you’re shipping heavy and oversized loads across the country, you need a heavy-hitter 3PL for support. These types of shipments are less common but equally important for supply chain continuity. In part three of this series, we will explore some FAQs about heavy haul and oversized freight shipments.

Expedited

Sometimes, a short delivery window is the key to customer happiness. E-commerce retailers have seen a spike in customer expectation for a faster delivery time thanks to the “Amazon Effect.” In response to this new expectation, businesses need a 3PL provider that can put their products in the hands of their customers—fast. Expedited shipping does just that, leveraging multiple carriers and careful use of shipping lanes to quickly deliver freight. One common myth with expedited shipments is that an expedited order must travel by air, but this is simply untrue. Sometimes it can be faster and more cost-effective to ship via truckload. In part four of this series, we will explore tips and tricks for expedited shipping.

Hazmat & High Value

Hazmat shipments are highly regulated. There is even a government organization, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), that provides oversight and guidance on hauling dangerous materials. Your 3PL partner should have a firm understanding of FMCSA guidelines and what to do in the event of an emergency, with safety as the highest priority. High-value shipments come with increased security needs and planning to ensure their safe delivery. But these increased measures shouldn’t hinder travel speed. In part four of this series, we will dive into what you should know about hazmat and high-value shipping.

Flexible Partnership with TA Services

Supply chain services can be much easier to navigate with an experienced 3PL provider like TA Services. For the past 35 years, TA Services has emphasized superior quality and long-term relationships, and we always will. Every business has unique shipping needs, and to remain relevant for customers, they need a partner that embraces multi-modal options. TA Services is a trusted name in the logistics industry, and we know transportation needs never come with a one-size-fits-all solution. The logistics professionals at TA Services will always go the extra mile to ensure that shipping needs are never a worry for customers, no matter what is on the back of the trailer. Count on us for your shipping needs—from the simple to the complex.

TA Services rests on four main pillars of logistics services: freight brokerage, managed transportation, warehousing and fulfillment, and cross-border services. Contact TA Services today for a quote on your next freight shipment.