Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping can be somewhat complex and confusing. It is important for shippers to provide their LTL carrier – or 3PL/broker – with accurate bill of lading (BOL) information to avoid unexpected charges. Sometimes those surprises can come in the form of fees associated with overlength, linear foot, cubic capacity rules. The following is a quick primer regarding each of these three rules.
Overlength Rules (also called Extreme Length or Over Dimension)
Every LTL carrier has some form of overlength rules. For most carriers, those rules begin on any shipment containing one piece or item that is over 96 inches. For example (as shown below), UPS Freight has the following overlength fees: $90 for 96-143”; $125 for 144-239”; and $195 for 240-312”.
If you have two overlength items in the same shipment, most LTL carriers will only apply this fee once, but some carriers (such as R+L Carriers) will apply it for each overlength item. Overlength fees are applied as additions to the standard LTL pricing.
Linear Foot Rules
Most carriers no longer have linear foot rules (they instead rely upon their cubic capacity rules), but there are some that still have them in place. A linear foot rule will apply when the length of an entire shipment exceeds a maximum specified length. For example (as shown below), if a shipment is tendered to Dayton Freight that exceeds 15 linear feet with a density that is less than 22.5 PCF, it will be rated as if it was 1,250 pounds per linear foot instead of the BOL weight with standard LTL pricing.
It’s important to note (and this is where it starts to get confusing), that this is only for shipments that do not have an overlength item – for those shipments, the overlength rules noted above would apply (although some carriers might rate it both ways and apply the higher rate of the two rules).
Cubic Capacity Rules (also called Density Rules)
Lastly, cubic capacity (or density) rules also come into play. For most carriers, these rules don’t apply unless a shipment is over 750 cubic feet and less than 6 pounds per cubic foot density. However, there are some carriers that have lower threshold rules as well (e.g., ABF also has a rule for shipments more than 350 cubic feet and less than 4 pounds per cubic foot density). An example of the cubic capacity rule for Ward Transport & Logistics is shown below.
When cubic capacity rules apply, most carriers will automatically rate the shipment at a specified freight class (e.g., 125 in the Ward example) and they will artificially max out the weight according to a specified density rating and the rated dimensions (e.g., 6 pounds per cubic foot in the Ward example). The new cubic capacity rate will apply instead of the standard LTL pricing. For this reason, it is important to know the accurate dimensions and density of your shipment. Many carriers and 3PLs provide “density calculators” on their websites for this purpose; however, it is important to understand that most carriers will apply cubic capacity rules according to the space a shipment takes on its trailer (and not necessarily a shipment’s actual cubic feet). So a 48” non-stackable pallet will be considered to be 96” high by most carriers because they cannot load additional freight on top of the pallet. Likewise, a 52” wide pallet will be considered to be 96” wide since a second, standard pallet cannot be loaded alongside it.
As an additional example, a 5,000 pounds shipment of eight (8) standard (48x40x48) stackable pallets will equate to 426.7 cubic feet (192x80x96) and a density of 11.72 pounds per cubic foot. However, that same shipment, if non-stackable, would equate to 853.3 cubic feet and a density of 5.86 pounds per cubic foot. As a result, the latter shipment would most surely be “hit” with the carrier’s cubic capacity rule in lieu of standard LTL pricing.
Logistics Plus is here to help!
The bottom line is that LTL overlength, linear foot, cubic capacity rules are very complex and nearly impossible to quote accurately 100% of the time. That is why we recommend caution when quoting anything over 12 feet in length – and the logistics specialists at Logistics Plus are here to help if you have any questions regarding how to calculate density or apply any of the rules discussed above. We do incorporate the overlength fees and various other scenarios we can trust into our cloud-based TMS (called eShipPlus); but, as a general rule, we will not automatically quote any shipment that is over 750 cubic feet. For those shipments – or really for any shipment that is over 12 feet and/or 6 pallets – oftentimes we can quote those manually for our customers and obtain a much better “volume/spot” rate than standard LTL pricing. Drop us a line or give us a call if we can help you too!
In case you missed it, the Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) has published a new supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These changes became effective 4/25/2020. A few of the notable changes are listed below (thank you for the assist from our friends at Estes Express).
Foodstuffs group – A variety of changes here. The most significant being a new Item 134710 – Meats or Poultry, cooked, cured, dried, dry salted, pickled, smoked (NEW) or preserved, with or without other ingredients.
Sub 1 – Less than 8 pcf – class 150
Sub 2 – 8 but less than 12 – class 100
Sub 3 – 12 or greater – class 70
Organic Peroxides, Item 45463 .
New classes for Types B, C D, E and F.
Bathtubs, Showers, Shower Stalls, Hot Tubs or Spas, Item 158260.
New classes dependent upon packaging and density. Six groupings. Item 158261 is canceled.
183100 TOBACCO, MANUFACTURED, GROUP: Articles consist of Manufactured (NEW) Tobacco, including Cigarettes, Cigars, Chew, Dip or Snuff, as described in items subject to this grouping.
New Item which replaces Cigarettes and Cigars group #47760 and all related items. New items for the following
Cigars, cigarettes or cigarillos. Three classes dependent upon density
Kits, cigarette making – class 100
Tobacco, smokeless, including Chewing Tobacco (Chew), Dipping(NEW) Tobacco (Dip), Snuff, Plug or Twist – Less than 12 pcf – class 100, greater than 12 pcf – class 77.5
Tobacco, smoking, including Hookah, Shisha or Pipe Tobacco,(NEW) cut or granulated – Three classes dependent upon density.
Household goods, Personal Effects or Military baggage – As modified, the description of item 100250 is amended by addition of the phrase “subject to Full Replacement Value (FRV) coverage,” and the last sentence of Note, item 100251, reading “This definition of FRV does not apply on motor vehicles, including automobiles or motorcycles,” is removed. These amendments are made for clarification and to better reflect the Defense Transportation Regulations.
Saunas or Steam Baths, portable, – New Item 172740 which replaces 39220. New class is 175.
Sauna or Steam Rooms, combined or not combined with showers – New Item which replaces 170650. New class is 150.
Eyeglasses, Spectacles or Sunglasses, NOI – Item 57830 . Revised and regrouped under two subs. Sub 1 – less than 6 pcf , class 200, sub 2 – 6 or greater, class 125.
Compressors, air, NOI; or Air Ends, NOI – Item 118100. Item 118100 is amended to provide density breaks at 8 and 12 pcf, with classes as shown. Sub 1 is amended to no longer apply on air compressors tendered “protected by a full-height fiberboard cap testing not less than 275 pounds and secured on lift truck skids or pallets.” New Note, item 118101 is established to provide additional packaging requirements.
82270 Metallic or Wooden Furniture, NOI, including Freestanding Panels, Partitions or Screens – Items 81550 and 82500 are canceled with reference to the full-scale density-based provisions of item 82270, and as modified, reference to freestanding panels, partitions or screens is added to the description of item 82270. Concurrently, Note, item 82501 is canceled with no further application.
153040 Envelopes, NOI, including Seed Envelopes or Packets, paper or paperboard. Item revised to class 77.5. Items 153030 and 153032 are canceled.
111655 Litter or Bedding, animal, in bags or boxes. Item revised from three density groupings to four density groupings. The density scale in item 111655 is amended by the addition of a break at 8 pcf, assigning class 175 to densities of less than 8 pcf. The noun “Bedding” is added to the description, while the references to “poultry” and “with or without additives” as well as the packaging reference to “drums” are removed.
35085 Partitions or Walls, interior, or Panels therefor, with or without integral (NEW) doors, – New Item which replaces 35040, Has Six density groupings and classes based on Length (exceeding or NOT exceeding 96 inches) and density. Old item was a simple class 70.
Item 680, Sec. 9(a) – Amended to allow alternative methods of securement, while Sec. 9(b) provides specifications for how freight is to be secured on lift truck skids, pallets or platforms. Item 680, Sec. 7(c) and Package 107, which currently refer to Secs. 9(a) or (b), are amended accordingly.
114145 Air Humidifiers, NOI, with blowers or fans and Item 26580 Humidifiers.
Item 26580 is amended by replacing “hot air house heating furnace” with “whole house,” and class 150 is assigned. Item 114145 is amended to provide classes based on packaging and density.
49795 Aprons, Coveralls, Laboratory Coats, Pants, Shirts or Clothing, NOI, disposable and 56530 Caps, Hoods, Leggings or Shoe Covers, disposable.
Items 49795 and 56530 are canceled with reference to new item 56545, naming “Clothing, disposable, paper or nonwoven cloth, with or without reinforcement of other materials,” at class 150. The new item makes reference to Note, item 56714 for clarification. Note, item 49797 is canceled with no further application, and Note, item 49885 is amended accordingly.
40085 Marshmallows, NOI – Class changed from 85 to Class 175 on less than 7 pcf and 100 on 7 or greater.
53020 Coolers, draft beer dispensing (Kegerators), – Item 53020 is amended to assign class 175, and as modified, the item description is amended to read, “Coolers, draft beer dispensing (Kegerators), see Note, item 53021, other than hand portable, with or without mechanical cooling or freezing apparatus, drainboards or faucets (taps).” Also as modified, new Note, item 53021 is established to clarify that the item “Applies on coolers that dispense beer or other beverages from kegs.”
Item 680, Sec. 6(a) – Amended to define “outer containers,” while Sec. 6(b) defines “inner containers.” Item 680, Secs. 6(c) and 6(d), and the title of the section are concurrently amended for clarification and uniformity.
61840 Extractors, juice (Juicers), countertop, – Amended from a single class 77.5 to provide less than 7 pcf, class 175, and greater than 7 pcf, class 100.
196000 Tires, rubber, scrap,. This Item canceled and replaced with 195720 Scrap, rubber tire, other than tires in their original form or shape, class 77.5.
156960 Netting, – amended to provide classes predicated on density breaks at 8 and 12 pcf, and the description is amended by removing the phrase “wound on cores, spools or tubes.
150970 Filter Stock – Amended to provide classes predicated on a density break at 8 pcf, and to remove packaging references to crates and to wrapped bales or bundles.
50312 Compounds, water cleaning or treating, bath, pool, spa or hot tub, – add restrictive language, and refer to new Note, item 50314, stating that the item does not apply on materials regulated by the DOT as hazardous and required to bear a Hazard Class or Hazard Division label. The new Note directs the Classification user to other items for classes applicable to such hazardous materials.
Logistics Plus Linguistic Solutions hosted the Erie County Department of Health for a coronavirus (COVID-19) training session on Tuesday. This session covered the facts, symptoms, tips and preventative measures that need to be taken during this pandemic.
The presenter was Rich Knecht, a registered nurse and the former director of public health preparedness for the Erie County Department of Health.
You can view the presentation slides and listen to the audio from the training session on the Logistics Plus YouTube Channel below.
As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many truck drivers are finding that it’s increasingly difficult to deliver freight. Some drivers are being denied into buildings, some are being required to fill out extra forms and bills are being left in the back of trailers. Listed below are 9 tips for keeping your loading docks healthy. (Click the banner or thumbnail image below to download a PDF copy of these tips)
1) Ask Drivers and Dock Personnel to maintain the practice of “Social Distancing” and stand 6-10 feet away when interacting.
2) Make hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, disposable face masks, clean and unused pens readily available to drivers and dock personnel.
3) Limit loading and offloading, sort & segregation, routine inspection and count, and other dock activities to your own shipping/receiving personnel to avoid having drivers spend any unnecessary time on the dock.
4) Shippers – provide pre-signed copies of BOL’s and shipping docs on the freight, or in the back of the loaded trailer to limit interaction with driver.
5) Consignees – request that the driver themselves record the exact time of delivery, note any exceptions and obtain the name of the person who is accepting the freight. If a copy of the delivery receipt is required, request the driver leave a copy on top of the freight.
6) Many larger carriers have implemented their own forms of social distancing and rules of interaction for their drivers. Please be understanding and respectful of new policies drivers may be instructed to follow by their management.
7) Many shippers and consignees are asking drivers to stay in their trucks and stay out of buildings completely. This is a good way to help avoid contact all together. However…
8) Please consider that many regions have closed rest areas, public restrooms, restaurants, dining rooms, etc. Drivers need access to clean bathrooms and hand washing facilities now more than ever. Please help make sanitary basic restroom facilities accessible either inside your facility or by providing external port-a-potties and portable hand washing stations. The drivers that are serving you will appreciate it!!!!
Please see the latest supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®) by the Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB). These changes have an effective date of 1/4/2020. A few of the notable changes are listed below.
Foodstuffs, other than frozen. Various foodstuffs are removed from item 73227 and reclassified. Item 72790 (Dips) is canceled with reference to new item 74700 (Sauces, Condiments, Dips or Spreads). New items are established as follows: 72030 (Baby Food), 72041 (Baking Powder), 72285 (Butters or Spreads, nut or seed, including Peanut Butter),74510 (Purees, fruit or vegetable, including applesauce) and 74737 (Shells, taco, or tortillas).
Ovens, Ranges or Stoves, cooking, indoor, and Related Cooking Equipment. Items 27320, 27430, 27440 and 27450 are canceled with reference to new item 26720 for “Ovens, Ranges or Stoves, cooking, and Related Cooking Equipment, electric or gas,” with classes based on a density break at 8 pcf. Item 26720 references new Note, item 26721, which requires articles weighing each greater than 110 pounds to be tendered in authorized packages secured on a lift truck skid, pallet or platform. Item 26710 is amended to restrict its application to “Ovens, NOI, other than cooking.” Item 27590 is canceled with reference to new item 26720 and, for commercial or institutional broilers, cookers or steamers, fryers (deep fryers) and griddles, to new item 25970, the latter with no change in packaging or classes. As modified, reference to indoor type in item 26720 applies only to stoves, stovetops, cooktops or grills, and the restrictive terminology, “other than cooking,” is added to item 27520 for gas stoves or ranges.
Posts or Poles, utility, including Lighting, Telephone or Electric Railway Posts or Poles, or Sections thereof. Items 161150, 161160, 161170, 161180, 161200, 161210, 161220 and 161240 are canceled with reference to new item 161145, naming “Posts or Poles, utility, including Lighting, Telephone or Electric Railway Posts or Poles, or Sections thereof,” with classes predicated on greatest dimension and density. New Notes 161146 and 161148 are established to clarify the application of the item and provide additional packaging requirements, respectively. Note 109704 is amended to reflect the new provisions accordingly.
Flashlights, Lanterns, Searchlights or Spotlights, electric, handheld — Items 109110 and 109800. Item 109110 is amended to provide class 150. As modified, item 109800 is amended to provide class 110 whether or not complement of batteries is included. Note 109112 is amended to use the word “that.” For uniformity, the term “handheld” is used in the descriptions of items 109110 and 109800.
Pans or Pots, cast aluminum. Item 52930 is canceled with reference to item 52895, which assigns class 125. Concurrently, the description of item 52895 is amended by removal of the restriction “other than cast.”
Oxygen, recreational, in handheld canisters or containers. New item 86070 is established for recreational oxygen, with classes based on whether or not the product is offered for transportation as a Hazard Class 2, Division 2.2 material and on density. New Notes 86071 and 86072 are established to clarify the new item’s application. Note 56911 is amended to direct the Classification user to the new item.
Heaters, gas, other than portable. Item 26460 is amended for simplification, and class 150 is assigned.
Heaters, electric, wall insert or baseboard type. Item 26500 is amended for clarification and simplification, and class 125 is assigned.
Virtual Reality Headsets (VR Headsets). New item 62190 is established, naming “Headsets, virtual reality (VR Headsets),” at class 150. Additionally, new Note 62191 is established limiting the new item to VR headsets with integrated screens or monitors.
Kilns — Items 123820, 123840 and 123860. Item 123820 is amended for clarification and simplification, to specify packaging “in boxes or crates,” and to provide classes predicated on a density break at 8 pcf. Item 123840 is amended to provide class 110. Item 123860 is canceled.
Fireplace Grates, Grate Baskets or Grate-Type Heaters. Items 69430, 69440 and 69457 are canceled with reference to the full-scale density provisions of item 69420. Concurrently, the “viz.” listing in item 69420 is amended to include “Grates, Grate Baskets or Grate Parts,” and “Heaters, Heat Exchangers or Extractors, fireplace grate type.”
Wood Moldings (Mouldings). Items 38030, 38040 and 38050 are canceled with reference to new item 38035, naming wood “Moldings (Mouldings), with or without coatings or coverings of other materials,” with classes predicated on greatest dimension and density. Note 38036 is established to clarify that item 38035 also applies on moldings made of wood particleboard or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Note 37612 is amended by removal of “house trim” for clarification.
Stairs, wooden, SU or in SU sections. Item 38176 is amended to read, “Stairs, SU or in SU sections,” and the superfluous modifier “wooden” is removed. Item 38180 is likewise amended to read, “Stairs, SU or in SU sections,” with “NOI” added to the description, and reference to Note, item 37504 removed. The item is further amended to provide classes predicated on greatest dimension and density and to specify packaging “in boxes or crates.”
Strapping, box or package, synthetic fiber or plastic. Item 179570 is amended to provide a single class 70. The packaging requirement “in boxes” is established, and the punctuation is amended in the interest of simplification.
Traps, bullet or target. Item 17670 is canceled and reestablished as new item 187130, not subject to the Athletic Goods Group, with classes predicated on density breaks at 10 and 15 pcf, and specifying packaging “in boxes or crates.”
Compounds, bleach assistant, NOI, and Cement, roofing, NOI. Items 50086 and 170060 are amended to remove the “bomb burst” symbol (*), add restrictive language, and refer to new attendant Notes 50087 and 170061, respectively, stating that the involved items do not apply on materials regulated by the DOT as hazardous and required to bear a Hazard Class or Hazard Division label. The Notes also direct the Classification user to other items for classes applicable to such hazardous materials.
Garage or Commercial or Industrial Building Doors or Door Sections or Grilles. Item 34290 is amended to specifically allow accompanying motors as well as hardware or fittings, regardless of whether they are in the same or a separate package. Concurrently, Note 34291 is canceled with no further application.
Obsolete Items or Provisions being cancelled and removed.
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