ParcelPath going freight means that ParcelPath, the free shipping platform best known for discounted UPS and USPS parcel labels, also handles LTL (less-than-truckload) freight through PalletPath, its freight service. Shippers who outgrow boxes can quote, book and track pallets and crates from the same ParcelPath relationship they already use for parcels.
This page explains what PalletPath covers, when a shipment should move from parcel to freight, and how to get an accurate LTL quote. If you are new to the mode, our complete guide to LTL freight and logistics covers the fundamentals.
What does ParcelPath going freight mean for shippers?
It means one company for both sides of your shipping. On the parcel side, ParcelPath is 100% free, with no subscription, no per-label fee, no minimums and no contracts, and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS. More than 44,000 customers use it.
On the freight side, PalletPath quotes and books LTL shipments for freight that is too large or heavy for parcel carriers. You can price a shipment at any time in the PalletPath freight calculator by entering the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the pallet count, dimensions, weight and freight class.
What is included on the parcel side and the freight side?
The two services cover different shipment sizes, so most growing businesses end up using both. This table shows what each side handles.
| Feature | ParcelPath (parcel) | PalletPath (LTL freight) |
|---|---|---|
| Carriers | UPS and USPS | LTL freight carriers |
| Typical shipment | Boxes and envelopes within carrier package limits | Pallets, crates and skids, typically over 150 lbs |
| Pricing access | Up to 85% off UPS, up to 89% off USPS | LTL quotes from the PalletPath freight calculator |
| Cost to use | 100% free: no subscription, per-label fee or minimums | Quote online before you book |
| Labels and paperwork | Printer-free labels: UPS Mobile Barcode at The UPS Store, USPS Label Broker at the Post Office | Bill of lading for the driver at pickup |
| Pickups | Free USPS pickups | Carrier pickup scheduled with the booking |
| Insurance | Shipsurance coverage available | PalletPath freight insurance, separate from parcel coverage |
When should a shipment move from parcel to freight?
A shipment should move to freight when it exceeds parcel carrier limits or when several boxes would travel more safely as one pallet. USPS caps packages at 70 pounds and 130 inches in combined length and girth for USPS Ground Advantage, and UPS caps them at 150 pounds.
- Single items over 150 pounds, such as machinery, appliances or furniture.
- Many boxes to one address, where one wrapped pallet means fewer touches and less risk of a lost carton.
- Oversized items that would trigger large-package handling on parcel networks.
- Business-to-business replenishment to a receiver with a dock.
FedEx Freight’s shipping basics guide describes typical LTL shipments as 150 to 20,000 pounds with a maximum length of 20 feet. Our step-by-step guide on how to ship freight for large items over 150 lbs walks through a first shipment.
How do you get a PalletPath freight quote?
An LTL quote is only as accurate as the shipment details behind it, so prepare the freight before you price it. Follow these steps.
- Build the pallet. Stack cartons squarely on a sound pallet, keep them within its edges and stretch-wrap the load. A standard pallet size such as 48 × 40 inches makes loading predictable.
- Measure and weigh. Record length, width and height from the outermost points, and weigh the finished unit including the pallet.
- Find the freight class. Calculate density in pounds per cubic foot and check it against the current NMFC scale with a freight class calculator.
- List accessorials. Note liftgate, residential, limited-access or inside delivery needs at either end.
- Quote and compare. Enter the details in the PalletPath freight calculator, then compare against other quotes using our guide to getting accurate freight shipping quotes.
- Book and prepare the bill of lading. Put the same class, weight and piece count on the bill of lading that you used in the quote.
How did the 2025 NMFC changes affect LTL freight?
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) put Docket 2025-1 into effect on July 19, 2025, calling it one of the most significant updates to the National Motor Freight Classification in its history. The change replaced the old 11-step density scale with a 13-step scale and moved many commodities to density-based classes.
The new scale runs from class 400 for freight under 1 pound per cubic foot down to class 50 for freight at 50 pounds per cubic foot or more. NMFTA launched ClassIT+ on July 15, 2025, as the official source for NMFC data. If your product classes were set before mid-2025, verify them before your next quote, because a carrier that reclassifies freight bills the corrected class.
What drives the cost of an LTL shipment?
LTL pricing depends on the lane, the freight and the services at each end. The main factors are:
- Distance and lane: origin and destination ZIP codes and the carrier terminals that serve them.
- Weight and density: heavier, denser freight usually falls into a lower class.
- Freight class: the NMFC class for the commodity.
- Accessorials: liftgate, residential, limited access, appointments and inside delivery.
- Fuel surcharge: adjusted by carriers as diesel prices move.
Our guide to finding the best LTL freight rates explains each factor and what you can change, and the roundup of the best freight shipping companies compares the carriers behind those quotes.
How do you protect and track an LTL shipment?
Carrier liability on LTL freight is limited and usually tied to weight, so high-value freight needs its own coverage. PalletPath offers its own freight insurance, separate from the Shipsurance coverage used for parcels, and it is an affordable way to cover a pallet for its full value when you book the shipment.
Once the freight is picked up, the PRO number on your bill of lading is the key to tracking it through each terminal. Our guide to LTL ground tracking with FedEx Freight shows how PRO, BOL and PO numbers work for lookups.
- Photograph each pallet before pickup, with the label visible.
- Count the pieces at delivery and check for damage before signing.
- Note any damage or shortage on the delivery receipt, then file the claim promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ParcelPath going freight?
ParcelPath going freight refers to ParcelPath handling LTL freight through PalletPath, its freight service, in addition to its free UPS and USPS parcel shipping. Shippers can quote pallets and crates in the PalletPath freight calculator while continuing to ship parcels with up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS, with no subscription or per-label fee.
Which carriers does ParcelPath use for parcels?
ParcelPath’s parcel carriers are UPS and USPS only. Parcel labels can be printer-free through UPS Mobile Barcode at The UPS Store and USPS Label Broker at the Post Office, and USPS pickups are free. Freight that is too large or heavy for UPS and USPS package limits goes through PalletPath as LTL freight instead.
How do I get a freight quote from PalletPath?
Open the PalletPath freight calculator and enter the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the number of pallets or crates, their dimensions and weight, the freight class and any accessorial services such as liftgate or residential delivery. Weigh and measure the finished, wrapped pallet first, because carriers rebill shipments whose weight or class differs from what was quoted.
Is ParcelPath free to use?
Yes. ParcelPath is 100% free, with no subscription, no per-label fee, no minimums and no contracts. More than 44,000 customers use it to ship with UPS and USPS at up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS. You pay only for the labels you buy and any options you add, such as Shipsurance coverage.
Sources
- NMFTA, NMFTA Implements Historic NMFC Changes; Launches ClassIT+
- USPS, USPS Ground Advantage (70 lb and 130 inch limits)
- FedEx Freight, Freight Shipping 101 (fedexfreight.com/en-us/support-resources/freight-shipping-101)
For freight tips and shipping updates, follow ParcelPath on X.
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