Unexpected Excessive Length and Lineal Foot Costs

Have you ever been surprised by a $1,000 plus excessive length or lineal foot charge on your invoice? It happens more than you may think.

Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping often comes with hidden costs that can significantly impact your budget:

• Crates, pallets, bundles, and “awkward freight” equal or greater than 8 ft long are susceptible to additional high fees, Fees are often tiered, depending on the length. Some carriers charge as high as $4,000 for a 20’+ item. Good luck getting a write-off. If you do, it more than likely won’t be for the full amount and you still won’t be satisfied.

• If you ship one inch over the lineal feet allowed for standard LTL rates, you will get charged a rate that would, in may cases, be more than if you shipped truckload. Typically, carriers allow less than 14 ft (8 standard size pallets turned sideways) for your LTL rates to apply. Some are higher where it’s 10 pallets. In any case, if you go over and you quoted a standard LTL rate online, you will be shocked when you see the invoice. Again, good luck with the write-off.

• Costs are incurred with damage or shortage due to handling. LTL shipments are often handled 3-5 times before reaching destination. The more handling, the more chance of damaged or lost freight.

As reflected by their fees, LTL carriers don’t want your oversized, excessive length, or 9+ pallet freight shipments. WBT can help. Ship without penalties or worse…surprises. One flat charge with no handling in between you and your customer give you peace of mind that your larger shipments get to destination on-time and intact, without the worry of unexpected fees.

West Bend Transit (WBT) is here to help you have a successful 2025. Visit us at www.westbendtransit.com or call Mike Matz, Director of Sales & Operations, today at 262-339-4701, or email here.

Mike Matz
Director of Sales & Operations
West Bend Transit and Service Co.