Pallet Shipping Guide: How to Ship LTL Freight for the First Time

Shipping Your First Pallet? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve never shipped freight on a pallet before, the process can feel overwhelming. Freight classes, BOLs, accessorials, carrier selection — it’s a lot of jargon for what should be a straightforward task: getting your stuff from point A to point B.

This guide breaks it down step by step, so you can ship your first pallet with confidence — and without overpaying.

Step 1: Determine If You Need Pallet Shipping

Pallet shipping (LTL freight) makes sense when:

• Your shipment weighs over 150 lbs (the typical parcel carrier cutoff)
• You have multiple boxes going to the same destination
• Your items are too large or heavy for UPS/FedEx Ground
• You need to ship 1-6 pallets without booking a full truck

If your shipment is under 150 lbs and fits in a single box, parcel shipping (UPS, FedEx, USPS) is usually cheaper and faster.

Step 2: Palletize Your Freight Properly

How you prepare your pallet directly affects cost, safety, and whether your freight arrives undamaged.

Choosing the Right Pallet

• Standard pallet size: 48″ x 40″ — this is what carriers expect
• Use GMA pallets: Grocery Manufacturers Association standard pallets are widely accepted
• Inspect for damage: Broken boards, protruding nails, or warped planks can cause problems during transit
• New vs. used: New pallets cost $15-25 each. Used pallets are $5-10 or sometimes free from local businesses

Stacking and Securing

• Stack boxes in columns — don’t let them overhang the pallet edges
• Heaviest items on the bottom — lighter items on top
• Maximum height: 48″ total (including pallet) is standard. Over 48″ may incur additional charges
• Shrink wrap everything: Wrap at least 3-4 layers around the entire pallet, anchoring the wrap to the pallet base
• Corner boards: Use cardboard corner protectors for fragile items — they prevent crushing during stacking in the carrier’s terminal

Weight Matters

• Weigh your pallet on a calibrated scale — don’t estimate
• Include the pallet weight (a standard wood pallet weighs ~30-40 lbs)
• Carriers will re-weigh at the terminal. If your actual weight differs from the BOL, you’ll get hit with adjustment fees

Step 3: Determine Your Freight Class

Freight class (50-500) is based on your product’s density, handling requirements, liability, and stowability. It directly determines your shipping rate.

How to calculate density:

Density = Weight (lbs) ÷ Cubic Feet

Cubic Feet = (Length × Width × Height in inches) ÷ 1,728

Example: A pallet measuring 48″ × 40″ × 42″ weighing 500 lbs:

• Cubic feet = (48 × 40 × 42) ÷ 1,728 = 46.67 cu ft
• Density = 500 ÷ 46.67 = 10.71 lbs/cu ft
• This falls into approximately freight class 85

General density-to-class guide:

When in doubt, look up your product’s NMFC code for the exact classification.

Step 4: Get Quotes

To get accurate quotes, you’ll need:

• Origin zip code
• Destination zip code
• Number of pallets
• Total weight
• Dimensions (length × width × height per pallet)
• Freight class
• Accessorial services (liftgate, residential delivery, etc.)

Always get quotes from at least 3 carriers. Rates can vary 30-50% for the exact same shipment.

Step 5: Book and Generate Your BOL

Once you’ve chosen a carrier, book the shipment and generate your Bill of Lading (BOL). The BOL must include:

• Shipper name and address
• Receiver name and address
• Number of pieces and packaging type
• Weight
• Freight class and NMFC code
• Description of goods
• Special instructions (if any)

Print at least 3 copies — one for you, one for the driver, and one attached to the freight.

Step 6: Prepare for Pickup

Before the carrier arrives:

• Pallet is ready on the dock (or accessible area if no dock)
• BOL is printed and ready to hand to the driver
• Freight is labeled — put a shipping label on at least two sides of the pallet
• If no dock: You need a liftgate pickup (make sure this was included in your quote)
• Take photos of the pallet before the driver loads it — this is your evidence if a damage claim arises

Step 7: Track and Receive

After pickup, you’ll get a PRO number — this is your tracking number. Use it to monitor your shipment’s progress through the carrier’s system.

When the freight arrives at the destination:

• Inspect before signing. Check for visible damage to the shrink wrap, boxes, or pallet
• Note any damage on the delivery receipt before signing. Write “damaged” or “subject to inspection” if anything looks off
• If damage is found, file a claim with the carrier within 5 days. Your pre-pickup photos will support your claim

Common First-Timer Mistakes

• Not wrapping the pallet: Loose boxes will shift in transit. Always shrink wrap.
• Estimating weight: Carriers will re-weigh. If you’re wrong, you pay more. Use a scale.
• Forgetting accessorials: No dock? You need a liftgate. Delivering to a house? That’s residential delivery. Include these when quoting.
• Not inspecting on delivery: Once you sign “received in good condition,” your leverage for damage claims drops significantly.
• Using one carrier without comparing: You’re almost certainly overpaying on at least some lanes.

Ready to Ship?

Shipping your first pallet doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right preparation and a platform that handles the quoting and paperwork, you can go from “I’ve never done this before” to “shipment delivered” in a matter of days.

Try EagleLoad for free — compare carrier rates, generate your BOL automatically, and track your shipment in real time. Built for first-time shippers and freight veterans alike.

Sources: SMC3 (NMFC Classifications), FMCSA, NMFTA

Related Reading

• LTL Shipping 101
• 7 Hidden LTL Fees
• Freight Glossary