LTL Freight Shipping Solutions
Ship smarter with DHL’s LTL shipping solutions. Whether you’re moving a few pallets or partial loads, our Less-Than-Truckload services help your business scale with flexible, reliable road freight across India and neighboring countries.
With defined lead times, an extensive trucking network, and DHL’s expertise, you save time and keep your supply chain moving without interruption.
Connect with an LTL Shipping Expert and see how we can simplify your domestic LTL freight shipping.
Complete LTL Freight Shipping Solutions
Our freight LTL services combine cost control with reliability. By moving your goods with other shippers, DHL ensures you benefit from shared capacity and clear pricing.
Service Options Tailored to Your Needs
Why Choose DHL?
- Defined lead times: Know exactly when your shipment will arrive, so you can plan production schedules and customer deliveries with confidence.
- No single-shipment surcharges: Send smaller loads without paying extra fees, keeping costs predictable for both one-off and recurring shipments.
- Scheduled and flexible departures: Choose between DHL AsiaConnect’s scheduled LTL services for predictable lead times, or DHL AsiaLine’s flexible PTL/FTL options for urgent and customized deliveries.
- Oversized cargo handling: Ship larger or irregular freight with confidence, knowing DHL has the trailers and processes to handle oversized loads without complication.
- Nationwide coverage and beyond: Reliable LTL freight shipping options across India and with cross-border services to Bangladesh and neighboring countries.
- Global expertise: Access DHL’s network and compliance know-how to keep your shipments moving smoothly across borders.
Connect with an LTL Shipping Expert
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What is LTL Freight and Who Is It For?
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping is designed for businesses that don’t have enough cargo to fill an entire truck. Instead, your shipment shares trailer space with freight from other companies. You only pay for the portion of the trailer you use, making it a practical option for small and mid-sized loads.
LTL freight allows you to move goods as soon as they’re ready instead of waiting until you can fill an entire truck. That means faster shipping cycles, lower upfront costs, and more flexibility to keep your supply chain running smoothly — especially if you ship smaller volumes on a regular basis.
Full Truckload (FTL) shipping means the entire truck is dedicated to a single customer’s goods. It is the fastest and most secure option, as your cargo is moved with door-to-door delivery and no intermediate handling. This comes at a higher cost, since you pay for the full capacity whether you use it or not.
LTL freight’s meaning, on the other hand, is about sharing trailer space with other shippers in DHL’s network. An LTL shipment is the most cost-effective solution for smaller consignments, with reliable, scheduled departures and predictable delivery — though transit times can be slightly longer due to consolidation and routing.
When to use each option:
- LTL freight: Best for partial shipments, such as up to 6 pallets, when you want lower shipping costs and don’t need a dedicated truck.
- FTL freight: Best when you can fill a truck or when speed and security are your top priorities.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping is designed for businesses that don’t have enough cargo to fill an entire truck. Instead, your shipment shares trailer space with freight from other companies. You only pay for the portion of the trailer you use, making it a practical option for small and mid-sized loads.
LTL freight allows you to move goods as soon as they’re ready instead of waiting until you can fill an entire truck. That means faster shipping cycles, lower upfront costs, and more flexibility to keep your supply chain running smoothly — especially if you ship smaller volumes on a regular basis.
Full Truckload (FTL) shipping means the entire truck is dedicated to a single customer’s goods. It is the fastest and most secure option, as your cargo is moved with door-to-door delivery and no intermediate handling. This comes at a higher cost, since you pay for the full capacity whether you use it or not.
LTL freight’s meaning, on the other hand, is about sharing trailer space with other shippers in DHL’s network. An LTL shipment is the most cost-effective solution for smaller consignments, with reliable, scheduled departures and predictable delivery — though transit times can be slightly longer due to consolidation and routing.
When to use each option:
- LTL freight: Best for partial shipments, such as up to 6 pallets, when you want lower shipping costs and don’t need a dedicated truck.
- FTL freight: Best when you can fill a truck or when speed and security are your top priorities.
Our Freight Services and Equipment
Freight Class in India
In India, LTL freight rates are calculated based on shipment characteristics, such as weight, volume, route, type of goods, and handling needs.
To make sure your shipment is priced correctly, DHL provides resources to guide you. Visit our Help Center for more practical advice on preparing freight for shipping.
Why Choosing the Right LTL Freight Class is Important
Providing the correct weight, dimensions, and handling information ensures accurate pricing and helps avoid unexpected delays. DHL experts can help you with these calculations for your LTL shipment, giving you the confidence to plan ahead.
Our Equipment & Capabilities
DHL offers a versatile set of equipment options to ensure your freight moves the way it should — whether it’s a regional load or oversized cargo that needs special handling.
- Standard trailers: Used for most shipments, providing reliable capacity for both LTL shipments and full truckload needs.
- 20ft and 40-ft options: Flexible options for higher-volume shipments and regional distribution.
- Specialized equipment: Temperature controlled units and secure transport trailers.
- Oversized cargo handling: Designed for freight that doesn’t fit standard pallet dimensions, ensuring even complex or irregular loads can be transported safely.
Ready to Choose Your DHL Freight Shipping Solution?
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LTL Freight Rates and Costs
Every freight LTL shipment is unique, and costs are shaped by several variables, including:
- Distance between pickup and delivery
- Weight and dimensions of the goods
- Types of goods and handling requirements
- Seasonal demand and overall network capacity
DHL sets out to keep these variables transparent. With our LTL trucking services, you benefit from clear lead times, flexible scheduling options, and straightforward invoicing without penalties for small-volume shipments. This makes it easier to plan budgets and compare service levels.
What’s Included in the Price?
Your DHL LTL freight shipping quote covers the essentials needed to move goods reliably within India and on selected cross-border routes:
Value-Added Services
For businesses with more complex shipping needs, DHL offers tailored services that go beyond the essentials. These include:
- GoGreen Solutions: Reduce your carbon footprint with sustainable fuel options and carbon-reduction measures.
- Specialized Transport: Cold chain solutions for temperature-sensitive goods and secure transport for high-value cargo.
- Cargo Insurance: Full-value protection against loss or damage — no deductibles, single invoice, fast claims ≤ 30 days
- Transport-Related Warehousing: In-transit storage, local distribution, and advanced handling via multi-customer warehousing facilities
- Customs Services: Support for imports and exports, connecting you to DHL’s global freight network.
Case Study
Ensuring Integrity for Clinical Trial Shipments
A global pharmaceutical company needed to move clinical trial samples safely and on time across multiple sites. We provided a customized logistics solution with temperature-controlled packaging, precise scheduling, and real-time monitoring.
This ensured zero sample losses and full compliance, helping the customer meet strict research deadlines. Our expertise in secure, reliable transport applies to all industries—whether shipping fragile, high-value, or irregular freight, DHL delivers safe, on-time, and fully visible shipments.
Learn more about DHL’s proven expertise in specialized logistics services and how it can support your business with confidence.
Ready to choose your DHL LTL Shipping Solution?
Every shipment is unique—so we offer a variety of LTL trucking services tailored to your cargo, budget, and timeline.
Get Started with DHL
Choose a trusted LTL freight carrier and simplify your shipping with tailored solutions:
- Across India and beyond: Reliable pickup from all major cities across India. Ship domestically and to neighboring countries with ease.
- Quick freight quote: Use DHL’s Freight Quote tool to get an instant freight LTL quote and see your shipping costs upfront.
- Expert guidance: Our specialists are here to help you choose the right options for your route, volume and timeline.
Partner with DHL today and see how our expertise can unlock your business’ growth.
Tracking and Support
From pickup to delivery, we give you full visibility and the dedicated support your business depends on, which includes:
- Comprehensive tracking: Monitor shipment status online with DHL’s Track & Trace for easy and convenient LTL freight tracking.
- Customer service when you need it: Access DHL’s customer service for help with your inquiries.
- Enterprise support options: Account holding customers can use dedicated online portals for greater shipment visibility and fully integrated management.