A lot can go wrong in less-than-truckload shipping. It’s complicated, and with the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) classification changes that went into effect in mid-July, LTL shipping has gotten even more complicated.
Save yourself the headache and leave the complicated stuff to Drumkit’s AI-powered freight broker software, which handles everything from accurate LTL shipment classification to carrier matching to real-time load visibility.
Understanding the LTL Freight Classification System
The NMFTA classification changes had been on the calendar for months, but some shippers and carriers still weren’t prepared for the July 19 implementation. FedEx Freight, for example, put off adoption of the overhauled system for 150 days to give shippers more time to get used to the shift to a density-based scale for LTL freight. A. Duie Pyle and Southeastern Freight Lines added dimensioners to their operations to help the new National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system work more effectively.
“Shippers will rely on 3PLs for guidance — having the right information at your fingertips will keep operations moving smoothly,” the NMFTA advised.
Top Pitfalls LTL Freight Brokers Must Avoid
1. Misclassification of LTL Freight
Misclassification of LTL freight can result in reclassification fees, shipment delays, and lost revenue. The reclassification of the NMFC system was actually designed to simplify the system, using a standardized approach based on freight density, handling, stowability, and liability to make it easier to determine an accurate classification on the first try.
2. Inaccurate Rate Quotes
If the LTL freight is misclassified, the quoted price is almost certainly going to be wrong, too. Consequences of misquoting include lost margins and lost business.
The NMFTA warned that misclassified freight and inaccurate rate quotes can result in unexpected charges and shipment delays caused by reclassifications and inspections.
“For 3PLs managing LTL shipments, this means access to the latest freight data, updated classification details, and clear communication with shippers and carriers will be key to ensuring smooth transactions and accurate rating,” the NMFTA said.
3. Inefficient Carrier Selection
“A growing brokerage brought us in after their AI-powered freight tool kept suggesting carriers they’d never use. The problem wasn’t the AI, it was the data,” Drumkit CEO Dhruv Gupta wrote on LinkedIn. “The tool was analyzing generic freight data from the internet instead of their actual booking patterns, preferred carriers, and lane history. This is what happens when AI lives outside your systems. It’s making decisions without your context.”
Drumkit’s AI-powered freight broker software:
- Integrates directly with an existing TMS and lane history.
- Learns from your actual carrier relationships.
- Understands lane preferences and pricing history.
- Gets smarter with every load booked.
“The AI isn’t just powerful, it’s personal,” Gupta said.
4. Inadequate Shipment Visibility
Knowing where freight is at every step of the journey is crucial in LTL shipping. Shippers today require automated updates and proactive alerts.
Drumkit helps freight brokers manage every single stage of the life of a load:
- Intelligent Sidebar allows users to see all LTL load information across platforms in one place.
- AI-Powered Smart Autoreplies dramatically reduce response time without losing personalization.
- Quick Quotes help freight brokers win LTL shipments fast.
- Automated Load Building eliminates manual data entry errors and enables the compilation of LTL shipments.
- Load Matching enables quick and accurate carrier selection.
- Automatic Status Updates keep LTL shippers informed every step of the way.
5. Search for the ‘Perfect System’
“Everyone keeps asking me, ‘What’s the best TMS for our company?’ I think that’s the wrong question. The best TMS is the one you’re already using,” Gupta wrote in another LinkedIn post.
Gupta said some freight brokerages mistakenly believe that switching platforms will solve their data problems. They then spend 18 months migrating, training, and integrating, but ultimately “end up with the same messy data in a shinier package.”
“The real issue isn’t your TMS. It’s that you’re treating it like a reporting tool instead of an operational engine,” he continued. “Your current system has years of transaction history, established workflows, and team familiarity. That’s not technical debt, that’s institutional knowledge. Instead of ripping and replacing, build intelligence on top. Connect your existing TMS to systems that can actually make sense of your data patterns. Let AI find the insights while your team keeps using what they know.”
Gupta said with Drumkit, a freight brokerage can transform its operations in just six weeks by enhancing the existing TMS rather than spending two years replacing it.
“Stop chasing the perfect platform. Start maximizing the one you have,” Gupta advised.
Avoid LTL Pitfalls with Drumkit’s AI-Powered Freight Broker Software
Drumkit harnesses the power of AI and automation to steer freight brokers around LTL shipping pitfalls. We customize our solutions based on freight brokerages’ specific needs. Book an introductory call to learn how Drumkit can put your LTL freight brokerage on a smooth path to operational and financial success.
