Whether we’re talking cases of red chili sauce, boxes of brake rotors, or a handcrafted statue of a whale (yes, we’ve moved that!), proper freight packaging can make all the difference when shipping Less-than-Truckload (LTL). Think of the packaging as a line of defense against the transportation elements: forklifts, shifting pallets, unloading a trailer, all the transitions that an LTL shipment goes through from start to finish. Correct and adequate packaging is something that should be a top priority for shippers and manufacturers that work within any freight space (not just LTL) to ensure freight ships and arrives just as it left their facility.

All freight is different; different values, different shapes and sizes, different ways of packaging. There are countless variations of freight packaging, but here are some general guidelines to follow:

Palletized/Crated/Boxed/Toted

• This allows carriers to easily move freight on and off their trailers
• It keeps the freight contained into larger shipping units, reducing the possibility of a misplaced piece

Shrink-wrapped and banded

• Adds rigidity and stability to palletized freight
• Shrink-wrap can prevent any unwanted moisture or dust contact
• Bands keep the freight from shifting or moving off a pallet

Marked with clear and accurate labels and packing slips

• Ensures freight gets to where it needs to go

Minimal freight overhang on the pallet (less than 3 inches on any side)

• Overhang can make it difficult to get forklifts and pallet jacks under the freight
• Excessive overhang can cause freight to tip over and/or raises the risk of damage

Besides providing a great level of physical protection, beefing up freight packaging can have immense benefits for your business.

Don’t let poor freight packaging “claim” you as a victim
Great packaging can protect a shipper’s freight from transportation damages, inherently cutting down on costly freight claims. Think of good robust packaging as a business investment. Putting the time, process, and money into proper freight packaging can really go a long way in preventing any damages caused while in transit. In the unfortunate event that freight damage does occur, claims that contain properly packaged freight have a much better chance of being won and paid. According to the Carmack Amendment, an act or default of a shipper, such as improper freight packaging, is one reason why freight damage claims get denied by carriers.

Packed like peas in a pod.
Having all the product densely packaged and contained onto shrink-wrapped pallets or enclosed crates can reduce the risk of having misplaced or missing freight. Think of a shipment of boxes as a Jenga puzzle: nice, neat, and well-stacked but without anything to support it, it can easily fall over, or a piece can be misplaced. Take that same Jenga puzzle and wrap it in shrink-wrap, throw some shipping bands around it, and slap it on top of a pallet. Now it’s nice, neat, well-stacked, and contained into one dense and stable shipping unit that can easily be transported.

Build better relationSHIPs.
Effective and excellent freight packaging can also produce positive business reception from consumers and consignees. Something as simple as how freight is packaged to ship can create a lasting impression on consumers and receivers. It conveys a sense of quality and care in the goods that a shipper manufactures and sells.

Packaging is often a shipper’s first line of defense against transportation mishaps. If you’re ready to learn more about how to effectively package LTL freight, contact us. Need a quote? Click here.

If you’re unfamiliar with third-party logistics companies, or 3PLs, you may be left with a lot of questions about what exactly they are, what to expect from 3PLs, or the benefits of working with one.

Whether you’re currently working with an asset-based company, you’re starting to shop around for the best rates for the lanes you need, or you’re working out of your basement in the business brainstorming stages, there’s no time like the present to check out why a 3PL could be best for your particular needs.

Here at Trinity, we’re all about teamwork (it’s one of our guiding values). So when you think of a “third-party” in terms of a 3PL like Trinity Logistics, it means we are more of an honorary extension of your team rather than just a silent partner.  In this blog we’ll go over what to expect and benefits of working with a 3PL by using a few scenarios.

Scenario One:

Since these are hypothetical scenarios, we’ll make up names for our fictional business owners and associates. Let’s say Bob owns a small packaging company with about $45 million in annual revenue. His business has been family-owned from the start, and he has a good-sized staff that has done their best to manage his supply chain over the years, but their network of carriers is small.

Business is growing and Bob’s staff would either have to devote more time and resources to coordinating the increased freight, or hire additional staff.  After meeting with leadership, Bob and his team decided they simply couldn’t afford to tie up any more resources in managing their supply chain.

Bob reached out to a 3PL and learned how he could leverage their experienced staff as an honorary extension of his own team. No longer would valuable time and resources be spent shopping for the best rates and finding carriers to cover their loads.

Working with a 3PL opened up many doors for Bob’s company. He developed a relationship with the manager of his account, who was able to give him a review of areas that could be improved to maximize efficiency. His 3PL was even able to find warehousing for his product, opening up even more opportunities for Bob’s business. Smart thinking, Bob.

Scenario two:

Stacy is an entrepreneur who started her own organic snacks business. She gained her business fame through social media marketing and exhibiting at various trade shows. Now the demand for her product is expanding and she doesn’t know the first thing about coordinating shipping.

Stacy has worked so hard to get her business to this point, so the last thing she wants to do is trust her product in the hand of strangers. In her research, Stacy stumbled across the term 3PL.

After contacting one, she quickly found out that it would be a perfect fit for her company. A 3PL would become an honorary extension of her own team: validating carrier’s insurance, managing her pricing requests, and coordinating the shipment of her products, whether it was less-than-truckload (LTL) or a full truckload, tracking them from start to finish.

Working with a 3PL helps Stacy focus on securing more customers and servicing her current ones better, with peace of mind that her products are arriving where they need to go, right on time.

Scenario three:

Of course, there are many scenarios where 3PLs would be beneficial to a company, but we’ll go through one more. Say Frank is the CEO of a company that makes and distributes private label cleaning supplies that stores purchase to sell as their generic brand.

Frank’s company has an annual revenue of around $140 million dollars. Right now they have inbound and outbound products moving multiple times a day from warehouses across the United States. As part of the company’s vision plan, they wanted to gain better control and visibility over their supply chain.

Frank reached out to a third party logistics company (3PL), and found out a 3PL could help his business save time and money by coordinating their freight. They also offered transportation management software to help Frank and his team see the inner-workings of their business.

Frank’s 3PL was able to offer him business reporting and personnel who would meet with his business to analyze how they could continue to improve their supply chain.

Here’s the moral of these scenarios: don’t go through all of the hassles and headaches of supply chain management alone! There are numerous reasons why partnering with a 3PL would be beneficial. Be like Bob, Stacy, and Frank, and see what a 3PL can do for your business.

Trinity Logistics has more than 35 years experience in the business. Our 3PL team coordinates freight, offers logistics consulting, supply chain technology, and logistics outsourcing services like warehousing, supply chain optimization, on-site freight management, and more. You can also trust that we are on top of the latest trends in shipping and logistics so we can stay ahead of how it would affect your freight.

Have a question? Ask here! If you would like to request a freight quote, click here.

The well-known saying “you get what you pay for” definitely rings true when it comes to shipping less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. There are three distinctly different types of LTL carriers, and you should know when it’s better to make the upgrade versus settling for the lowest level of service.

The service levels when shipping LTL can be broken down into premium, standard, and economy carriers. The differences between these service levels relate to on-time delivery percentage, possibility of a claim, communication, and billing or correction processes.

Premium LTL Carriers

This is the top tier, crème de la crème of LTL shipping.  Despite the extra cost, this level of service could be ideal or even necessary for some shipping situations. Premium carriers offer high on-time delivery rates, clear shipment visibility in transit, and a low claims ratio. They also offer the quickest transit time, often within one or two days.

In cases where you are completely dependent upon the shipment arriving at a certain time – like special parts for a machine that’s down, or product that you’re low on – your best bet is to ship premium.  You’ll know exactly where it’s headed and when, and most importantly, you’ll have it in your hands the day you need it.

Standard LTL Carriers

Standard LTL carriers provide just that; run-of-the-mill LTL shipping. This is the most commonly used level of service. It offers a bit slower transit time than premium shipping, but can still be expected within about two or three days, depending on the distance your shipment is traveling, of course.

If you’re moving moderately valuable freight, like displays or pallet racking, this could still be a good choice, as the standard carriers offer a relatively low claims ratio and decent tracking options. The main difference is that transit time is usually a bit lengthier than with the premium carriers. So, if you don’t need those displays right this second, this cheaper option may be a good fit.

Economy LTL Carriers

The lowest level of LTL shipping is with economy carriers. As you might imagine, this is the cheapest option. However, as the title of this blog suggests, the cheapest often doesn’t mean the best. This option offers the slowest transit time, lowest visibility for tracking, and a higher claims ratio.

We only suggest using this type of carrier if you’re shipping low-value and dense freight, such as bricks, paper products, or animal feed. If you order these products well enough in advance to not have an immediate need, this could definitely be the least expensive method of moving them.

How To Choose

Trinity has contracted rates with LTL carriers in the premium, standard, and economy categories to service your LTL needs. Each of these service levels have their pros and cons, and it truly comes down to your priorities. You should consider the timeframe you need the freight moved within, the level of visibility you prefer, as well as your concern about claims. We are happy to consult with you about which type of carrier is the best fit for your business and your freight. Just remember: shipping cost has a strong correlation with levels of service.

To get an LTL quote, or to speak with a sales rep about your shipping needs, click here.

One of the most complex transportation modes in the logistics industry is refrigerated less-than-truckload (LTL), due to its complexity and limitations. While many shipping providers are not able to accommodate these shipments, those that can will be better able to service your requests if you are aware of the intricacies of this mode of transportation. Despite its complexities, Trinity Logistics is actively working to expand our service offerings for refrigerated LTL.

What is it?

In technical terms, refrigerated (or reefer) LTL is the process of shipping refrigerated or temperature-controlled freight that does not require the space of an entire trailer (full truckload). A refrigerated trailer maintains the freight at a specified temperature range to prevent the product from deteriorating or becoming damaged. For example, frozen fish would move under a temperature range of 0 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, while chilled beverages would move under a range of 36 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Refrigerated LTL ships at a temperature range, not at a specific degree – we’ll provide more information on that later.

What makes it different than other modes of transportation?

Refrigerated LTL is a little different than regular dry LTL, and other modes of transportation, because reefer LTL carriers do not operate within the same pickup time parameters.

To put things into perspective, an LTL carrier may be able to pick up just about every day, Monday through Friday. However, a refrigerated LTL carrier has set days that they pick up, depending on the region. For example, if a refrigerated LTL carrier picks up in Los Angeles on Thursdays and Fridays only, then the shipper would not be able to ship anything with them Monday through Wednesday.

The same can be said for refrigerated LTL carriers’ delivery schedules, which also run on a weekly parameter. Meaning that, if a carrier only delivers to Boston on Tuesdays, then freight picked up the week before will only be able to be delivered on the following Tuesday.

Another thing to keep in mind is that shipping LTL means that other customers’ freight will be on the same truck as yours. With reefer LTL, freight that needs to be maintained at a similar range in temperature will be put on the same truck. Shipping multiple customers’ freight on the same trailer is only made possible by this consolidation based on temperature range.

Why is it harder to arrange?

Reefer LTL can be difficult to arrange because it revolves around a very limited and specific time schedule. The schedule that the carrier can offer for pickups and deliveries might not coincide with the shipper’s needs.

Aside from managing shipments within the timeframe offered by the carrier, reefer LTL can be slightly more difficult due to the freight that is hauled. Maintaining proper temperature while in transit can add another layer of complexity to each shipment.

On top of the reasons above, there are a limited number of refrigerated LTL providers in the U.S.

Is it expensive?

Unfortunately, due to the equipment needed, as well as the nature of the commodities being hauled, reefer LTL is almost always more expensive than dry LTL. Carriers need to take into consideration the perishability of the shipment, as well as the costs incurred from maintaining the temperature in the trailer when figuring their prices.

How can I get the best rate?

Working with a third-party logistics company (3PL), like Trinity Logistics, can help you get the best rate possible when shipping via refrigerated LTL. 3PL’s can secure the best pricing through contracts with reefer LTL carriers, as they have high volumes of freight to move.

As an added benefit, working with Trinity can take a lot of hassle out of arranging reefer LTL shipments. Trinity’s LTL representatives can take care of quoting, building, and dispatching your pickups. They can also negotiate rates on your behalf, as well as track your shipments from start to finish. Although this mode is complex and difficult, we are actively working to expand our refrigerated LTL service offerings and invite you to learn more. To get a reefer LTL quote, click here.

When you get a rate for an LTL shipment, the cost is influenced by so many different factors that it’s actually pretty easy to make some simple changes and see your LTL shipping costs go down. While these tips may not be possible for everyone to implement, you’ll likely find at least one or two of them are relevant to your situation!

Let’s get right down to it.

Maximize the density of your shipment

A truck can only haul so much weight. LTL carriers make a profit by fitting as many different LTL shipments into one single trailer as possible. So which do you think they prefer… a 5,000lb shipment that takes up 25% of the space in the trailer, or a 5,000lb shipment that only takes up 10% of the space? The more space your shipment takes up in the trailer, the more you’ll be charged to ship it.

While the weight of your shipment is out of your control, the density is not! Do everything you can to compact your shipment and increase the density as much as possible. If your pallets are not stackable, find a way to make it so. Pack your product more densely (less empty space between cases or product on the pallet, if possible). Stack an extra row on top of each pallet to possibly eliminate an extra pallet. Brainstorm about all the ways to make your shipment take up less space, and you will definitely see a financial reward.

Consolidate your shipments

Shipping a full truckload of freight is often far less expensive than shipping multiple LTL shipments. Have you ever considered consolidating your LTL shipments into a multi-stop truckload shipment? Of course, it depends where your shipments are delivering – for example, a multi-stop truckload picking up in Maine and delivering in Florida, Minnesota, and California might not make financial sense compared to shipping LTL. But if your delivery points are close to each other, or if they form a line across the country (at least vaguely), getting a quote on a consolidated truckload shipment would be very wise.

Negotiate a FAK

Those of you who have not heard the term “FAK” are probably raising your eyebrows. “FAK” stands for “freight all kinds”. This literally refers to when a customer ships all kinds of freight. Let’s say you ship some products at class 50, some at class 55, some at 75, and some at 150. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, go read this blog to learn about freight class.) Since your freight class impacts the cost of your LTL shipment, and getting a rate for different classes all the time can quickly become time-consuming and complicated, you actually have a different option here. We can negotiate a FAK on your behalf, which basically means you can ship all your LTL freight at the same class. Not only does this simplify things for you, it also typically results in cost savings!

Provide accurate information

Most shippers are painfully aware that the rate for shipping their LTL freight is highly dependent on the size and weight. For this reason, some people are tempted to slightly “underestimate” the dimensions or weight of their shipment in the hopes it will result in a slightly lower shipping cost and the LTL carrier will be none the wiser.

Whatever you do, DO NOT DO THIS! Rather than saving money, you’re putting yourself at risk of being fined. If the carrier happens to double check the dimensions or weight of your shipment, and it doesn’t match what’s on the BOL… let’s just say you’ll be in a world of trouble. Your shipment cost will be raised accordingly, but you’ll also be charged with an inspection fee, and it’s possible the carrier will red-flag your freight to be inspected every single time you ever ship with them in the future.

By ensuring the weight, size, and all other information listed on the bill of lading is accurate, you will not be risking these extra fees.

If you don’t ship at a high volume, work with a 3PL

If you ship a large amount of LTL freight, you can negotiate lower pricing with LTL carriers (or have a 3PL negotiate on your behalf). But what if you don’t ship LTL that often? Does that mean you’re stuck paying the highest rates every time you call up your LTL carrier of choice? If you work directly with LTL carriers, then yes, maybe. But a great alternative is to ship your LTL freight through a 3PL (like Trinity Logistics). Because of the high volume of freight that 3PLs arrange (all of their customers combined!) they will have the lower contracted rates available that you can take advantage of without having high volume of your own. This will result in a significant cost savings, especially over time.

o you automatically route your LTL shipments to the provider who quotes you the lowest rate? For the purpose of this blog, take a moment to think back to your decision-making process and recall the reasons you decided to go with this lowest rate logistics model. With that in mind, this blog may give you pause to think about the dialogue that could be taking place within your organization in order to determine what your true LTL shipping costs are (this is more than just the rates you’re paying). Reconsidering how you view your overall LTL costs vs. individual rates will help you keep your customers happy and allow you to remain one step ahead of your competition.

Cost vs. Rate

Cost refers to the total combined expense of an LTL shipment, including both time and dollars (the shipping, customer service, accounting, administrative tasks, technology, etc.) This includes the rate.

Rate is simply the dollar amount charged by the LTL carrier for the transportation of that same LTL shipment – meaning the rate is only one part of your overall cost. Rates are easy to identify, whereas identifying cost requires a commitment and collaborative spirit from many levels of an organization, both internally and externally.

Reflect on the first quarter of 2014 and the inclement weather that impacted all of us in the movement of freight. Were you one of the thousands of shippers that experienced missed-pickups, tracking and tracing nightmares, delays, or the communication of incorrect information? Did you lose any customers over it? If so, what was the total cost associated with that? No one can control the weather, but there are certain things that can be controlled, like having a sound LTL program in place.

If the inclement weather taught us anything, it certainly exposed some gaps in many shippers’ perception that the lowest rate is the most important variable when selecting an LTL shipping provider. More times than not, there is a trade-off between the value you receive and the rate you pay.

One of Trinity’s guiding principles is continuous improvement, constantly aspiring to reach our greatest potential. In order to do so, we responded to the inclement weather experience as an opportunity to improve. We evaluated what went right, and what didn’t. We discussed it internally, and we discussed it with LTL carriers in our program, and most importantly, we discussed it with our customers.

What we found was a common theme across the board. When rate was the sole driving factor in selecting carrier providers as per our customer’s requirements, it had much more of a negative impact on the LTL shipping experience through this period than when choosing carrier providers based on overall value.  Whether it was delayed transit times or just plain poor customer service, several of our “lowest rate” customers changed their preferences in the future to avoid this model.

In retrospect, a lot of the pain our LTL customers felt during the first quarter could have been reduced or eliminated by proactively identifying value over rate. There is a place for the lowest rate model, as in some cases it is a good fit (such as when arranging warehouse transfers or returns), but we cannot ignore the fact that in the majority of times, your company’s vision and your customer’s requirements might not benefit from this method of thinking.

As you review your LTL logistics program, Trinity can work with you through honest dialogue in order to develop a sound recommendation that is flexible yet strong enough to weather the storms of an ever-changing LTL service industry.

Maybe you just took over the shipping responsibilities for your company and have no idea where to start. Maybe your business has grown from shipping parcel only to shipping one or two pallets at a time and trying to learn about LTL shipping services has your head spinning. Either way, never fear. Shipping LTL can be pretty confusing, but we’re here to help! To start, there are three LTL terms you should be aware of – both their meaning, and their implication. Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to tackle your first LTL shipment with ease.

What is my LTL freight class? Why is it so important? 

The NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) guidelines were created, in part, to provide a standardized way for LTL carriers to assess the expense and difficulty involved in transporting a particular commodity. Put simply, your freight class ranks your shipment’s “transportability” on a number scale from 50 to 500 – 50 being the easiest to transport, 500 being the most difficult. Items with a low class are usually heavy and dense, like bricks. Items with a higher class are lighter and more fragile, like empty glass containers. Ultimately, class is based on four characteristics: density, stowability, handling, and liability. These factors, combined, all contribute to the freight class.

Freight class is important because it has a huge impact on the cost of LTL shipping. Knowing your freight class is vital to ensure you’re getting an accurate quote on the cost of  LTL shipping – and if you ship something listed at the wrong class, your freight would be inspected and your freight charges could increase significantly.

Have no idea what your freight class is? Not to worry. When you provide us with your shipment details, we’ll get all the information we need about the commodity and its packaging to determine your freight class.

What is an NMFC number? How is an NMFC number different from freight class?

The NMFC has created a system with thousands of numbers that each correspond individually to a single commodity, and they’re very specific. Your NMFC number determines what your freight class is. For example: potato flour is 73080, and listed at class 55, whereas corn flour is 73140, and listed at class 50. Just describing your commodity as “flour,” as you can see, is not enough. The NMFC number can change depending on how your commodity is packaged whether it’s in bags, boxes, glass, or crates can have an effect.

After your NMFC code has been determined, it’s used to look up the corresponding freight class for your commodity. Again, if you’re not sure of your NMFC number, it’s okay – our LTL Service specialists can take the information you give us about your commodity and its packaging to help you figure out your NMFC number. By doing this we’ll ensure an accurate quote and that you experience no additional freight charges due to classification.

What does FAK stand for? What does FAK mean in LTL shipping?

FAK stands for “freight all kinds”. If you ship multiple commodities at different freight classes, you can negotiate a FAK in order to ship everything together at the same class. This way, you don’t have to figure out the NMFC number associated with each item you ship. For example, if you ship items at class 70 and other items at class 200, you may want to negotiate a FAK of 100. If you ship a variety of commodities, you should consider contacting us about negotiating a FAK on your behalf. You could see freight savings, the benefit of a standardized freight cost for multiple products and commodities, and protection from future changes to the classification of your commodities.

We know this is barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to LTL shipping, but armed with this knowledge, you should feel more confident charging ahead in your new LTL shipping endeavors! If you have more questions, we are here as a resource. Feel free to ask us a question online or if you’re ready to start shipping LTL, you can request an LTL quote here!

If you’ve ever shipped LTL, you’re likely aware of how complicated and confusing it can sometimes be, especially compared to shipping a full truckload. We’ve compiled a list of some commonly asked questions about the nuances of shipping LTL.

On a basic level, what are some key differences between shipping truckload and shipping LTL?
A huge difference is transit time. LTL shipments take longer – it’s sort of like taking a bus instead of a taxi. There are multiple stops, rather than one direct trip. The cost of shipping LTL is much cheaper, of course, because the shipments are smaller than a full truckload. There are stricter requirements for the details provided when booking the shipment, as well as how the shipment is packaged. LTL carriers provide a different level of service than truckload carriers, in general  – the customer is not able to communicate with the driver, and they have a pre-set schedule that cannot be interrupted. Overall, shipping LTL is just a little less flexible and a little more complicated than shipping truckload.

Why is the insurance coverage different on a spot/volume LTL shipment vs. a standard LTL shipment?
Liability is only $1 per pound on spot/volume LTL shipments because the LTL carriers are giving you a very good price, depending on the capacity available in the lane.  You’re sacrificing liability coverage and transit time for a great deal. This is something to take into consideration when deciding to go with standard LTL services or ship based on a spot quote, as sometimes you will have both options.

What classes/commodities/types of shipments do LTL freight companies absolutely LOVE to ship?
LTL carriers love heavy freight that cannot be easily damaged. This includes bricks, stone, sand, pet food, and other dense commodities. It also depends on the shipper and consignee – they love being able to deliver dock to dock. Anything that requires extra time for the driver (prisons, schools, churches, residents, ports, grocery warehouses, etc.) will likely result in a higher rate, as the carriers do not want to be held up at all. The more freight they get on and off the truck, the more money they make – so understandably, they want to go in, get loaded (or unloaded), and get out.

Why is my LTL freight class so high?! 
There could be a few factors that contribute to this. Does your LTL freight have a high value? Is the commodity light and bulky or easily damageable? Does the packaging make it more vulnerable? All of these aspects can drive up your freight class. The one aspect you have control over is your packaging. Products should be crated or boxed to be protected from other freight on the truck, and it also helps the carrier move your freight around easily when they’re at their terminals.

Why don’t I get two hours of free time to load and unload my LTL shipments?
While a truckload carrier has to worry about loading and unloading your shipment only, LTL carriers have a lot of freight to pick up and deliver in a day.  Wait time costs the LTL carriers both time and money, and pushes back all their other appointments.  It’s vital for them to stay on schedule.

What does interline mean?
Interline means that the LTL freight company has a partner carrier that services an area that they do not go into.  Instead of the LTL carrier denying service in that area, they hire another carrier to pick up freight or deliver freight to those areas.

Hopefully some of the things you’ve wondered about shipping LTL have been cleared up! Did we miss a question that you’re been perplexed about? If so, leave a comment below and we will get back to you with the answer! Don’t forget that you can request an LTL quote right here on our website. Let us help you wade through the confusing and sometimes frustrating process using LTL services – we’ll make it a breeze!

If you ship LTL freight, you’re likely aware of the direct impact that your shipment’s freight classification has on the cost required to ship it, but you may not be aware of the organization and processes that actually determine the classification for the commodity you ship. Believe it or not, your commodity is constantly at risk of having its classification changed – and you need to stay in the loop. We can help!

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is the group that maintains and publishes the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) guidelines, which outline the LTL freight class for every commodity you could possibly ship here on planet Earth.

Here’s what you may not know: Every year, a group at the NMFTA called the CCSB (Commodity Classification Standards Board) meets and goes over potential classification changes, either voting them into effectiveness, or rejecting the changes. Based on the density, handling, stowability, and liability of a commodity, it may be decided that the previous classification was not an accurate fit. LTL carriers play a huge role in this process, being the ones actually out there on the road, shipping LTL freight – they’re in constant contact with the NMFTA with ideas on which commodities to review in their meetings.

The official commodity classification changes for January 2014 were published last month and are available on www.nmfta.org. It can be a little overwhelming sorting through the document with all the changes up for review, so we did the leg work and made a list of all the commodities that actually had their class changes approved. They are as follows:

If you ship one of the affected commodities, please let us know and we’ll get you more details about the change! One of the perks of using Trinity’s LTL Services on your LTL shipments is that we’ll keep you in the loop on these classification changes. We’re constantly looking out for our customers – if we notice your commodity is on the docket list, you’ll likely be hearing from us. This is just another way we’re able to provide a higher level of service to our customers as a complete 3PL solution.

If you have any questions about the most recent classification changes or want to talk to us more about how this process works, you can contact us here! If you’re concerned that your commodity’s classification is having a negative impact on your shipping costs, we welcome you to request an LTL shipping quote here and see if our rates can help you save some money – there’s a good chance they will.

As if shipping LTL isn’t complicated enough, things can get even more complicated in the event of a claim! As a member of Trinity’s dedicated claims department, I can tell you that we’re here to help you through the claims process. One of the many advantages of working with a company like ours is the extra assistance we can provide if a claim occurs. Figuring out exactly what you’re entitled to from the carrier can be tricky, but we have extensive knowledge of these processes and can provide you with the resources you need when you’re dealing with a claim.

Did you know that when you ship LTL, the type of quote you get and your product’s freight class will determine the amount of monetary reimbursement on your damaged or lost cargo? Every LTL carrier has a published, customized set of tariffs that state their maximum liability in the event of cargo loss or damage. These tariffs also state what accessorial and special charges the carrier will and will not be responsible for and the amount you will be charged for each particular service in the event they occur (such as liftgate, white glove, or redelivery).

At the time of “booking” or “quoting”, the carrier will class the items being shipped in accordance with their NMFC number. The class the items are shipped under will determine the freight rate and your return on loss or damage. There are also certain types of quotes that can initially dictate the carrier’s maximum liability in the event of loss or damage: volume, spot and truckload quotes. In the event you are quoted by one of these methods, your return for loss or damage will be covered at $1.00 per pound, regardless of the stated maximum liability for that class.

Remember, after a formal claim has been filed and before any claim funds are paid out by the carrier, they will perform an investigation to establish liability for the loss or damage. If you are a party in charge of packaging or shipping merchandise, you are responsible for making sure the product is labeled correctly and packaged in accordance with the NMFC packaging requirements for that particular item. Otherwise, the carrier may rightfully decline your claim due to insufficient packaging.

If you are a party involved in shipping or brokering LTL freight, it is a very good idea to familiarize yourself with the tariffs of each of the LTL carriers you will be utilizing, as all of them carry different amounts of liability and vary in the amounts they charge for their accessorial or special services. All LTL carriers’ tariffs are public information that is available on their websites or upon request.

As always, if you have any questions regarding limitations of liability, claims, or what to do in the case of OSD’s (overages, shortages and damages) feel free to contact the claims department via email or give us a call at 1-800-846-3400 x. 2146!