When it comes to freight shipping, everyone loves to talk about on-time delivery. And sure, hitting that delivery window matters. But logistics is more than just “did it arrive on time?”
To truly understand shipping performance, prevent costly issues, and improve customer satisfaction, shippers need to track the right key performance indicators (KPIs). Because without data, you’re just guessing.
Let’s break down the KPIs that actually matter and how they impact your freight operations and bottom line.
It’s easy to track the basics, such as delivery dates, cost per shipment, and possibly even damage claims. But the most valuable freight KPIs go deeper. They help identify inefficiencies, reduce delays, and improve service before issues reach your customers.
Here are five logistics KPIs that every shipper should be monitoring:
Are your carriers accepting your freight loads? A low acceptance rate often leads to expensive last-minute options or missed delivery windows. A healthy shipping strategy depends on reliable carrier partnerships.
Crucial in LTL shipping or final-mile delivery. Failed first attempts increase costs and customer complaints. This KPI gives you insight into service reliability at the most critical stage.
How long is your freight sitting still at the warehouse, dock, or yard? High dwell time is a silent cost-driver and can signal bottlenecks in your shipping process that are easy to overlook.
Looking beyond the freight rate, this metric includes handling, storage, and fulfillment. It offers a more realistic view of your total shipping costs and helps uncover hidden inefficiencies.
A high number of damage or loss claims might point to poor handling, packaging issues, or carrier performance problems all of which impact your freight reliability and customer experience.
It’s one thing to track logistics data, it's another to act on it. If your tender acceptance rate is dropping, what’s the plan? If dwell time is trending upward, where is the delay happening?
The real value of KPIs comes when you use them to ask better questions, make faster decisions, and improve your freight shipping strategy. That means setting clear benchmarks, reviewing performance regularly, and partnering with providers who can help you dig into the root cause, not just treat the symptoms.
Good KPIs do more than report what already happened. They help you anticipate freight issues, protect your margins, and keep your supply chain resilient.
At WTS, we work closely with our clients to ensure they’re not just moving freight, they're optimizing every mile, every order, and every dollar.
Because smart shipping isn’t about tracking everything. It’s about tracking the right things, the ones that drive real impact.
If you’re ready to turn your freight data into a competitive advantage, we’re here to help.
Visit www.shipwts.com to build a smarter, data-driven shipping strategy.