LTL Freight Shipping

What is LTL Shipping?

What does LTL mean?

LTL stands for Less-Than-Truckload. It is a freight shipping method used when a shipment is too large or heavy for standard parcel carriers (like FedEx Ground or UPS) but does not require a full dedicated truck. Instead, your freight shares trailer space with shipments from other customers, making LTL cost-effective for palletized goods, oversized items, or orders exceeding standard weight and size limits.

How is LTL different from standard parcel shipping?

Parcel shipping moves individual boxes through a hub-and-spoke network and is suited for lighter packages under 150 lbs. LTL moves freight on pallets or skids between regional distribution terminals and is designed for heavier or bulkier loads — typically 150 lbs to 15,000 lbs. LTL transit times are generally longer and delivery is made dock-to-dock unless accessorial services are purchased.

When Does ADI Ship LTL?

How do I know if my order will ship via LTL?

ADI automatically routes orders to LTL freight when a shipment exceeds the weight or dimensional thresholds for standard ground parcel carriers, or when the items ordered are too large to ship via standard parcel. You will see the shipping method indicated on your order confirmation and tracking communications.

Is LTL freight available for all delivery addresses?

LTL service is available for commercial addresses with a loading dock or freight receiving area. Deliveries to residential addresses, schools, churches, construction sites, or locations without a loading dock are considered limited-access or residential deliveries and will incur additional accessorial charges. Contact ADI Customer Support before placing your order if you are unsure about your delivery location type.

Our LTL Carriers

Which LTL freight carriers does ADI use?

ADI partners with a network of regional and national LTL carriers selected based on coverage area, transit time, and service quality. The carrier assigned to your shipment depends on your location, order size, and carrier availability at time of shipment. ADI does not guarantee a specific carrier. Our current carrier network includes:

R+L Carriers	FedEx Freight East	SAIA
A. Duie Pyle	Southeastern Freight Lines	Purolator Freight
Dayton Freight	Day & Ross	Oak Harbor Freight
Dayton Freight	Day & Ross	Oak Harbor Freight
Estes Express	FedEx National	AAA Cooper
YRC Inc.	TForce Freight	FedEx Freight Canada
Central Transport	UPS Freight (dba TForce Freight)	Focus Logistics
Reimer Express	XPO Logistics Freight	ABF Freight
Pitt Ohio

Can I request a specific carrier?

ADI selects the carrier based on routing optimization and availability. Carrier-specific requests cannot be guaranteed. If you have a known service restriction at your delivery location that affects certain carriers, please contact Customer Support prior to placing your order.

Accessorial Services and Fees

What accessorial services are available with LTL shipments?

Standard LTL service covers dock-to-dock delivery only. If your delivery location requires additional handling, the following accessorial services are available at an additional cost:

$15

Inside Delivery

The driver moves freight from the truck to a designated area inside your building — beyond the threshold of the loading dock or entryway. The driver is not required to navigate stairs, elevators, or deliver to specific rooms.

$30

Lift Gate Service

Required when your location does not have a loading dock or forklift to receive freight at truck-bed height. A hydraulic lift gate lowers the pallet to ground level for safe unloading. Must be requested in advance.

$65

Lift Gate & Inside Delivery

Combines both services above — lift gate to lower freight to ground level, plus inside delivery to move it beyond the entryway. Recommended for locations with no dock that need to receive freight indoors.

Note: Accessorial services must be selected or requested before shipment. ADI cannot guarantee same-day additions once a shipment has been tendered to the carrier. If the driver arrives and a lift gate or inside delivery is required but was not pre-arranged, the carrier may charge you directly and re-delivery fees may apply.

What is Not Included with Standard LTL?

What services are excluded from standard LTL freight?

Standard LTL is dock-to-dock transportation only. The following are not included and may require additional fees or alternative arrangements:

Inside delivery	Drivers are only obligated to deliver to the dock or curb. Movement beyond the threshold requires the Inside Delivery accessorial service.
White-glove service	Unpacking, installation, assembly, room-of-choice placement, and debris removal are not part of LTL service and are not offered by default.
Residential delivery	Homes, schools, churches, construction sites, and other limited-access locations require a residential/limited-access accessorial charge and must be arranged in advance.
Lift gate	A lift gate is not automatically included. It must be pre-selected if your location lacks a loading dock or receiving equipment.
Delivery appointments	Standard LTL operates on business-hours schedules without guaranteed windows. Scheduled delivery appointments are a premium service with additional cost.
Guaranteed transit	LTL does not include a guaranteed delivery date or time. Expedited or time-definite services are available at premium rates — for help, contact Customer Support.
Freight packaging	Carriers expect all freight to arrive properly packaged, palletized, and ready for transport. ADI and the carrier are not responsible for damage from improper packaging.
Driver wait time	Drivers are not required to wait extended periods at pickup or delivery. Delays beyond standard free time may trigger detention fees charged by the carrier.
Re-delivery	Failed delivery attempts or address corrections after tendering to the carrier are not included. Reconsignment and re-delivery are billed as additional services.
Special handling	Freight requiring extra care due to fragility, high value, or unusual dimensions beyond standard pallet handling is not covered under standard LTL rates.

How to Prepare for Your LTL Delivery

What should I do before my LTL shipment arrives?

Confirm your delivery location has a loading dock or forklift, or pre-arrange Lift Gate Service
Ensure someone is available to receive the freight during business hours
Inspect all freight for visible damage before signing the delivery receipt
Note any damage or missing items on the Bill of Lading (BOL) before the driver leaves
Contact ADI Customer Support immediately if damage is discovered upon delivery

What happens if I refuse a shipment or am unavailable for delivery?

Refused shipments for reasons unrelated to freight damage, or missed deliveries, may result in re-delivery fees, storage charges, or return freight costs. These charges are the responsibility of the customer. If a shipment arrives visibly damaged, please note the damage on the delivery receipt and refuse the shipment.

If you need to reschedule a delivery, contact ADI Customer Support as early as possible, preferably before the carrier makes the first delivery attempt.

Freight Claims: Damage and Loss

What should I do if my LTL shipment arrives damaged or with missing items?

Do not simply sign for a damaged or incomplete shipment. Follow these steps at the time of delivery:

Step 1

Note the damage on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves.

Write DAMAGE or LOSS clearly on all copies of the delivery receipt. This creates the official record with the carrier and is required to support a freight claim. Do not sign a clean receipt if damage or loss is present.

Step 2

Refuse visibly damaged shipments.

If product damage is clearly visible — crushed packaging, broken pallets, wet or punctured boxes — you have the right to refuse the shipment. Refusing at delivery simplifies the claims process and reduces the risk of receiving unusable product.

Step 3

Document the damage with photos.

Before moving or opening anything, take clear photos of: the damaged outer packaging from multiple angles, any affected or broken items inside, the shipping label and tracking/PRO number, and the pallet or skid condition. These photos are essential evidence for your claim.

Step 4

Report the damage to ADI within three days.

All shipping damage must be reported within three days of delivery. Claims submitted after this window may not be eligible for resolution. Use any of the options below to report.

DEADLINE: Report all shipping damage within three (3) days of delivery. Claims submitted after this window may not be eligible for resolution.

How do I report freight damage or loss to ADI?

Choose any of the following options to submit your damage or loss report:

Contact your local store

Reach out directly to the ADI store that fulfilled your order. Your store team can initiate the claim on your behalf.

Email ADI Claims

Send your photos, order number, and description of the damage to the ADI claims team.

[email protected]

Submit online form

Use our online damage reporting form. Have your order number, photos, and tracking number ready.

Open reporting form

What if I notice damage after the driver has left?

If damage is discovered after the driver has departed (concealed damage), document it immediately with photos and contact ADI as soon as possible. Concealed damage claims are more difficult to process without a notation on the delivery receipt, which is why it is strongly recommended to inspect all freight before signing. Regardless, report the damage within three days of delivery to preserve your claim eligibility.

Important: Failure to note damage on the delivery receipt or to report within the three-day window may result in the claim being denied. ADI is unable to pursue a freight claim with the carrier if the delivery receipt was signed clean, or the report falls outside the reporting period.

Questions about your LTL shipment?

Contact Customer Support for assistance with carrier selection, accessorial services, or tracking.

Email: [email protected]

Reporting freight damage or loss?

Contact ADI Claims or submit a damage report online.

Email: [email protected] | Online Form: Submit damage report