What’s the Difference Between LTL and FTL Freight Shipping?

Freight moves in two primary ways. Less-than-truckload (LTL) combines shipments from many businesses on a single trailer, while full truckload (FTL) dedicates all trailer space to one customer. The choice changes everything—cost per pound, transit speed, handling risk, and how many times a pallet is touched. For Amazon sellers in particular, picking the right mode can mean the difference between razor-thin margins and healthy profit.

Below, you’ll see exactly how LTL and FTL differ, where each excels, and how a hybrid approach—like the collaborative FTL program run by Dollan Prep Center—can slash costs for high-volume Amazon FBA shippers without sacrificing the direct-to-FC speed of a traditional truckload.

Core Distinctions at a Glance

Clear visual comparison of LTL and FTL shipping methods for Amazon sellers

Key Factor	LTL Freight	Traditional FTL Freight	Dollan Prep’s Collaborative FTL*
Minimum Shipment Size	150 lb – 10,000 lb	10,000 lb – trailer max (≈44,000 lb)	≥1,500 Amazon units (any mix of SKUs)
How It Works	Multiple shippers share space; freight is cross-docked multiple times	One shipper uses an entire trailer; direct line haul	Multiple Amazon sellers share one truck; Dollan consolidates and bypasses terminals
Avg. Cost per Pound	≈ $0.55	≈ $0.35	≈ $0.30 per lb Prep fees from $0.80 – $2.35 per unit, depending on volume and bundle size
Transit Time	3–7 days (via hub-and-spoke terminals)	1–4 days direct-to-FC	1–4 days direct-to-Amazon via Dollan-managed truckloads
Handling Risk	High – multiple unloads, terminal touches	Lowest – loaded once, delivered once	Low–sealed truck, single load/unload with Dollan oversight
Amazon Compliance	Moderate – more missed scans & appointment delays	High – fewer delivery issues, but costlier	High–Dollan manages labeling, ASN, FNSKU, and direct FC scheduling
Ideal For	Small, sporadic pallet counts or <1,000 units/mo	Large-volume shippers with consistent solo truckloads	FBA sellers shipping 1,500+ units/month and scaling efficiently

Dollan Prep Center’s program fills a full truck collaboratively, then routes straight to Amazon FCs. *National averages; actual rates vary by lane, density, fuel, and season.

Why LTL Still Matters—but Has Hidden Costs

LTL shipments often pass through multiple terminals, increasing handling risks

For shippers moving just a few pallets at a time, less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is often the only financially viable option. You pay only for the space you occupy, not the entire truck, which makes it attractive for smaller or less frequent shipments. Carriers consolidate freight from multiple businesses into a single trailer and route it through regional hubs using a hub-and-spoke system.

But that consolidation comes at a price. Every time your freight is handled—loaded, unloaded, or transferred between terminals—the risk of damage, delays, or scanning errors increases. These touchpoints are especially problematic for Amazon FBA shipments, which demand strict appointment windows and barcoding compliance.

On top of that, accessorial fees can sneak up quickly. Common charges include lift-gate fees, reclassification or reweighing surcharges, residential delivery penalties, and missed appointment fines—all of which can erode what looked like a budget-friendly rate. For sellers focused on tight margins, these hidden costs often turn LTL into a more expensive—and riskier—option than it first appears.

Classic FTL: Speed, Security—and a Big Capacity Bill

When you can fill an entire 53-foot trailer, FTL is hard to beat. Your freight is loaded once, sealed, and driven straight to the destination. Fewer touches mean fewer OS&D (overage, shortage, damage) claims, faster appointment booking at Amazon FCs, and simpler tracking. The downside: you pay for every cubic foot, even if half the trailer rides empty. For most midsize Amazon sellers, a true solo truckload is overkill.

The Dollan Prep Center Advantage: Collaborative FTL Built for Amazon FBA

How Dollan Prep Center consolidates shipments for cost-effective FTL delivery

Dollan Prep Center bridges the gap. They pool multiple high-volume sellers on one truck, maintaining the direct-to-FC benefits of FTL while sharing costs among participants. Average out-the-door rate: ≈ $0.30 per pound—about 45% lower than standalone LTL quotes sellers commonly see.

How it works in practice

1. Inbound to Dollan – Your inventory arrives at Dollan’s warehouse, where staff perform prep (labeling, poly-bagging, carton inspections).

2. Load Planning – Once enough combined volume hits the dock (typically several clients shipping 1,500 + units each), Dollan books a truck directly to a single Amazon FC or a multi-stop run optimized for Prime arrival windows.

3. Single Touch – Pallets are shrink-wrapped, loaded, and remain sealed until Amazon receives them—no mid-route cross-docking.

4. Billing by Cubic Foot or Pallet – You pay only for the share you occupy, not the whole trailer.

   
   

Savings Snapshot

Scenario	Units	Est. Weight (lb)	Mode	Freight Cost/lb	Prep Fee Range	Total Estimated Freight	Net Savings vs. LTL
Moderate Seller	1,800	7,200	Standard LTL	$0.55	—	$3,960	—
Same Seller via Dollan FTL	1,800	7,200	Collab FTL	$0.30	$0.80–$2.35/unit¹	$2,160 + prep	Up to $1,800 saved on freight

¹ Dollan prep fees vary based on unit volume and bundle size. For 1,800 units, pricing likely falls in the $0.80–$1.50 range per item, depending on prep complexity.

Real-World Use Case: Scaling Smarter From LTL to Collaborative FTL

Example of a Dollan client reducing freight costs through collaborative FTL

For sellers trying to decide if switching to collaborative FTL is worth it, real numbers speak louder than theory.

Take one of Dollan Prep Center’s long-term clients, a mid-sized kitchenware brand shipping to Amazon FBA.

Just 18 months ago, they were spending over $4,000 per month on standard LTL, sending out roughly 8 pallets per week from their 3PL. Delivery times were inconsistent, appointments were frequently delayed, and damaged freight caused constant Seller Central headaches.

After switching to Dollan’s collaborative FTL program, the brand reduced its freight spend by 42%, while also improving average check-in times at Amazon FCs by two full days. With a more predictable delivery schedule and fewer service disruptions, they were able to scale their monthly revenue to $150,000, reinvesting the savings directly into PPC campaigns and additional product lines.

This kind of shift isn’t unusual—it reflects how optimized logistics isn’t just a backend concern. It’s a profit lever for serious Amazon operators.

How Amazon FBA Inbound Requirements Affect LTL vs. FTL

Two large white trucks are parked at a modern distribution center, illustrating the concept of Less-than-Truckload (LTL) versus Full Truckload (FTL) logistics solutions.

Amazon’s inbound freight rules are strict—and rightly so. But they also expose the limitations of LTL shipping in a fulfillment network designed for speed and precision.

LTL shipments are far more likely to encounter appointment delays due to re-handling at multiple terminals. A single mis-scan or rewrapped pallet can trigger FC rejections, non-compliance charges, or check-in delays that impact your IPI score and sell-through velocity.

FTL, especially collaborative FTL like Dollan’s, minimizes these risks. Why?

• Trucks arrive fully manifested and pre-scheduled, usually with direct-to-FC delivery

• Pallets are handled once and remain sealed from the prep center to the fulfillment dock

• ASN creation, labeling, and BOL documentation are centralized—Dollan coordinates the paperwork, not you

Decision Matrix: When to Choose Which Mode

Situation	Best Fit	Why
< 1,000 lb or < 4 pallets	LTL	Spot freight still beats parcel; FTL capacity wasted
4–10 pallets, time-flexible	LTL or partial truckload	Cost favors LTL unless margins allow faster FTL transit
1,500 + FBA units/mo, growth phase	Dollan Collaborative FTL	Direct FC delivery, ~45% freight savings, minimal damage
20 + pallets every cycle	Dedicated FTL	Volume justifies full trailer cost and dedicated schedule

Final Thoughts

Choosing LTL by default can quietly shave points off your Amazon margin through hidden fees and slower receiving. Jumping straight to full truckload feels safer—but only if you truly fill the space. Dollan Prep Center’s collaborative FTL program offers a middle path: truckload reliability priced like a condensed LTL shipment.

If your business ships 1,500 units or more each month, consider asking Dollan how their model can work lane-by-lane for your catalog. The difference between $0.55 and $0.30 per pound isn’t just a freight line-item; it’s capital you can reinvest in inventory turns, price competitiveness, or marketing that scales your brand faster on Amazon.

Your freight choice is a growth choice. Make it with numbers on your side.