NMFC Changes effective April 10, 2021

by logisticsplus | Feb 23, 2021 | News

The Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) has published a new supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These changes became effective 04/10/2021.  Some notable changes are listed below.

• Subjects 2 and 3 – Foodstuffs Group – Bakery Goods, Coffee, Tea or Herbal Tea, Cookies or Crackers, Foodstuffs, NOI, Snack Foods, NOI: These items were canceled and replaced with Item 73260 which is an 11-tiered density item. Canceled Items 72040, 72042, 72043, 72270, 72271, 72560, 72561, 72680, 72681, 73270, 74800.
  – “Breads, Rolls and Cake” were removed from 73227 and moved into the new Item 73260.
• Subject 5 – Chemicals Group Item 42600: Numerous changes to this group that are too complex to re-state here. Basically, items were revised into three class Tiers based upon Packing Groups I, II or III. Statements also added identifying Items that are not required to bear a Hazard Class or Hazard Division label.
• Subject 7 – Stairs or Stairways, Ramps – Item 178160: Revised from a two-tiered class/density item to two sub-groups based on the Greatest dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches. Each sub-group has three class/density tiers.
• Subject 15 – Glass, flat, bent or not bent NOI – Item 86700 nad Glass , silvered for Mirrors – Item 86900: Revised from two subgroups, three-tiered class/density item based on Greatest Dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches to two subgroups based on Greatest dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches. Each sub-group has seven class/density tiers. Item 86900 is canceled and moved into Item 86700.
• Subject 16 – Item 235 – Specifications for Bundles, Coils, Reels, or Rolls: Item amended to ensure that products or items so tendered will withstand the normal rigors of LTL transportation.
• Subject 17 – Item 270 – Definition or Specifications for Skids, other than Lift Truck: Item amended to ensure that products or items so tendered will withstand the normal rigors of LTL transportation.
• Subject 24 – Item 82285 Sneeze Guards or Food Shields: Revised from a two tiered Item based on Greatest Dimensions exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches to two subgroups based on Greatest Dimensions exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches with four class/ density tiers in each sub group.
• Subject 25: References to open head and closed head drums or pails in the Items below are updated.
  – Rules 257, 258, 260, 296
  – Packages 600 and 2467
• Subject 36: This subject cancels 55 obsolete Classification Items
• Subject 37: This subject cancels four obsolete classification Items.
• Subject 38: This subject cancels and removes references to 25 numbered packages.
• Subject 39: This subject cancels and removes references to 16 numbered packages.
• Subject 40 – Item 149942 Note on Nickel-Silver Wire Item 140940: This note 140942 applied to shipments of less than 30,000 lbs. It is canceled.

Freight Rates on the Rise: Is it Time for a Freight Analysis or RFP?

by logisticsplus | Feb 15, 2021 | News

As widely reported by freight industry media outlets, such as Freightwaves, Logistics Management, Journal of Commerce, and others, general freight rates – including those for less-than-truckload (LTL) services – continue to rise.  Most experts are predicting high, single-digit rate increases in 2021, along with higher diesel fuel prices.  Renewed economic demand, increases in e-commerce shipping, the influx of container shipments at the ports, limited truck capacity (the top 25 LTL carriers comprise 90% of the LTL market), scarcity of qualified drivers, and COVID-19 outbreaks and restrictions are all driving truckers to raise rates – particularly for small- and mid-sized freight shippers.

Logistics Plus is a top freight brokerage firm with substantial freight spend and contracts with many leading carriers. That allows us to pass on competitive rates to our customers who might not otherwise have the freight volumes or expertise to negotiate competitive rates on their own.  Additionally, when our own “general pricing” contracts are not competitive enough or lack certain customizations for a specific shipper’s freight profile, we can also negotiate “client-specific pricing” contracts for our customers too.

To get started, Logistics Plus offers risk-free freight analyses to shippers curious to know if they can save additional money on their freight spend.  All we need is a sample shipment file (ideally three months or greater in Excel format) with, at minimum, the following data:

• Origin Zip Code
• Destination Zip Code
• Shipment Weight (in pounds)
• Freight Class (or detailed commodity description so we can ascertain the correct freight classification)
• Handling Units and Packaging Type(s)

Additionally, the following optional information is also helpful if it is available:

• Shipment Dimensions (L”xW”xH”)
• Accessorial services provided
• Actual freight charges (freight, fuel, and accessorial fees)
• Actual LTL carrier used

Using the information above, Logistics Plus will run a detailed freight analysis to determine if existing Logistics Plus contracts and carriers will result in material savings. If the initial study demonstrates potential savings, the customer will be asked to complete a Logistics Plus Customer Setup Application (if not already done) to obtain a shipping account to begin realizing the savings.

If the initial analysis does not demonstrate potential savings, or if the customer has specific pricing requirements that cannot be met with existing Logistics Plus contracts and carriers, then – if the customer is willing and able to complete the following Letter of Authorization (LOA) and RFP Checklist – Logistics Plus will conduct a client-specific request for proposal (RFP) to obtain more competitive pricing on behalf of the customer.  Note: Customer is not required to activate or use RFP pricing; however, the LOA is required to go through the process. After client-specific pricing is activated, the customer should complete a Logistics Plus Customer Setup Application (if not already done) to obtain a shipping account and begin realizing the savings.

Contact us if you’re ready to have Logistics Plus conduct a risk-free freight analysis on your behalf. We’re here to help!

NMFC Changes effective December 19, 2020

by logisticsplus | Nov 23, 2020 | News

The Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) has published a new supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These changes became effective 12/19/2020.  Some of the notable changes are listed below.

• Controllers, Motor Controllers, Switchboards or Switchboard sections – New Item, new classifications
• Battery Chargers, Item 61270 – This item canceled and moved into Item 61700 – Electrical Appliances or instruments
• Cooling or Freezing machines – Items 123310 and 123315 are canceled. New Item established , 123650 – Unit Coolers.
• Tape Sealing or Masking – Item 154360 – Changed from Class 55 to a two tiered density based item with classes of 70 or 92.5.
• Shears, pruning or plant cutting – item 185910 – Changed from class 70 to a three tiered density based item with breaks at 6 and 10 pcf  and classes of either 250, 125 or 92.5
• Doors or partitions – Item 34500 and Shades and Shutters – Item 35343, Shutters – Items 37110 and 37120. All items canceled and replaced with Item 35350 – Shades, Shutters or Blinds. A tiered density based item.
• Cabinets, Filing – Items 79220, 80250 and 80270 – Canceled and replaced with Item 80240 which has density breaks at 6 and 12 pcf. New classes are 250, 125 and 70.
• Toasters, Item 63360 – classes adjusted from 100 to 150
• Joints or seals, expansion joints – Item 34830. Item amended to provide classes based on greatest dimension and density
• Equipment, toy train, electric – Item 84150. Item canceled and commodity moved into Item 84260  – Games or Toys , which is a full density item.
• Air Heaters, Windshield heaters or Air conditioners (Automobile Parts group) – Item  18850. Canceled and replaced with Item 17810 which is a three tiered density based classification with breaks at 6 and 10 pcf.
• Gloves or mittens – Items 49900, 49905,49906 and 49920. Canceled and replaced with Item 49910 which is a two tiered density based items with density break at 7 pcf and classes of 175 or 100.
• Item 110 Definitions and Explanations of terms – “Coin or Currency operated” clarified to include two articles that accept or require credit/debit cards or other forms of payment
• Games, NOI coin or currency operated – Item 84180. Item amended to provide classes based on greatest dimension and density.
• Cash Registers or Parts, Item 115840 – Item canceled and commodity moved into Item 116030 – machines, systems or devices  .
• Sign posts, brackets or Bases – Items 96740, 106340 and 106840 are canceled and replaced with Item 161130. Item assigns classes based upon greatest dimension and density.
• Lenses optical NOI, Item 57940 – Item amended to ‘Lenses or Lens blanks, optical , NOI. Class changed from 200/85 to 85.
• Compounds, Item 50227 – Item amended to remove bomb burst symbol and clarified that item does NOT apply on materials regulated by the DOT as hazardous and required to bear a Hazard class or Hazard division label.
• Anchors, building, mast pole or smokestack, Item 104030 – Class amended from 50 to 70.
• Cyanides, Item 44210 – Canceled as obsolete.