LTL Shipping Preparation Checklist

Everything worth confirming before you request an LTL freight quote, in the order it usually comes up.

Locations

• Pickup and delivery ZIP codes, at minimum — full street addresses if you have them, since a broker eventually needs them anyway.
• Whether either location is residential.
• Whether either location has a loading dock, or will need a liftgate.
• Whether either location has limited-access characteristics (school, construction site, storage facility, and similar).
• Whether delivery requires a scheduled appointment.

The shipment itself

• Dimensions (length × width × height) and weight for each distinct pallet or handling unit — not just a shipment-wide total. See how to measure a pallet for exactly where to measure.
• A clear commodity description.
• Declared value, if it's meaningfully high relative to standard carrier liability coverage.
• Whether the shipment involves hazardous materials — and if you're not certain, check the product's Safety Data Sheet, Section 14. It's worth knowing that Section 14 is technically non-mandatory under OSHA, so it's sometimes left incomplete; if it's blank or you're still unsure, that's a reason to confirm with the manufacturer or carrier, not to assume "no."

Contacts

• A pickup contact name and phone number.
• A delivery contact name and phone number, if different.
• A requested ship date, if you already have one in mind.

Before you request quotes

• Calculate density (weight ÷ cubic feet) for each handling unit, and get a sense of the estimated freight class.
• Note anything unusual about the commodity that might affect classification beyond density — fragile, used/reconditioned, high-value, or loosely packaged items are the most common cases.
• Have your Hazmat status resolved, or clearly marked as unresolved, rather than guessing.

Working through this list before you contact a broker means the quote you get back is more likely to hold up once the shipment actually moves — which is the entire point.

Before you request a quote

• ☐ Confirm the pickup and delivery ZIP codes.
• ☐ Confirm the actual pickup and delivery address types.
• ☐ Count the handling units and record what each one is.
• ☐ Measure every distinct unit after packaging.
• ☐ Weigh every distinct unit when possible.
• ☐ Write a plain-language commodity description.
• ☐ Record any verified NMFC/class information you already have.
• ☐ Identify dock, forklift, liftgate, appointment, limited-access, residential, and inside-service conditions.
• ☐ Decide when the freight will actually be ready.

When the quote comes back

• ☐ Confirm the quoted weight and handling-unit count.
• ☐ Confirm the quoted class or NMFC basis.
• ☐ Confirm every requested service is included.
• ☐ Confirm the pickup and delivery conditions.
• ☐ Save the quote number, date, assumptions, and exclusions.

Before pickup

• ☐ Make sure the freight still matches the quoted dimensions and weight.
• ☐ Make sure the packaging and pallet are actually ready.
• ☐ Make sure the BOL matches the shipment.
• ☐ Keep a copy of the final shipment details.

Sources: Old Dominion's LTL guide, BOL field guidance, and NMFTA density guidance. Carrier forms and requirements vary.