Shortage of Truckers a Real Industry Issue

Posted on April 22, 2013 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

If you follow news on the Logistics and Transportation industry, you’ll see that there are  constant warnings on a capacity overload and a shortage drivers that could possibly create a bull whip effect in freight shipments. Government has discussed how manufacturing is experiencing a steady increase in the U.S., and recognizes that there will be a subsequent increase in products requiring transportation. LTL Freight Shop is curious and does not understand why people that are stuck in jobs making minimal or are out of work do not want to become truck drivers. Based on numbers provided by Indeed.com the average salary of a truck driver in Florida is over $50,000 a year and the salary trends are moving up.

We believe that many people typically think of trucking as primary a long hours, lonesome highway, cross country traveling.  That is a huge misunderstanding.  Many drivers that work for Less Than Truckload carriers (LTL) go in to their home terminal in the morning, help load their shipment, set out in the morning, eat lunch as normal, do pickups in the afternoon, unload back at terminal, and then go home. Routes are very structured and the pay tends to be as well.  In comparison, independent owners/operators that do freight shipments driving across the country have more freedom to negotiate their own rates and have the ability to make more money. These modes, in addition to railroads, have been the backbone of this country for many years and it will remain as such.

Think you can handle an 18 wheeler? The opportunity is there and job security is strong for years to come. With trucking, you’d be joining a winning industry.

Contact LTL Freight Shop at 888-752-0443 or visit www.TLFreightShop.com

Request a free freight quote today

 

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Freight Class Update from NMFTA

Posted on April 11, 2013 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Valued Customers,

The NMFTA is making even more items go to the full scale density based classing system. The changes take place April 20th, 2013. The items affected the most are Televisions, hands tools, power tools, and foam coolers. There are also other subtle changes that you can reach out to your LTL Freight Shop representative for further details on. This makes it oh so important to have a certified scale, tape measure, and a density calculator when it comes to correctly classing your freight. One may be able to make an assumption that down the rode the classing system will not be as important as selling based on space and liability. The more items that are classed on a density basis the less important the classing system is. Please let us know if you have any questions! Contact LTL Freight Shop

LTL Freight Shop
888-752-0443

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Let us provide you with your freight class

Posted on April 3, 2013 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Working with customers, we always hear “This is class 50.” We explain why that a us 40x48x72 pallet of material weighing 250 pounds is not class 50, but class 250 according to NMFTA. With constant turnover in the industry and personnel changes, employers may provide out of date information to their employees in regards to the shipping process. For example, items that were class 92.5, like computers, are now on a full scale density basis. Larger volume shippers may be able to get freight of all kinds class (FAK), but most likely carriers will not provide these. By simply contacting LTL Freight Shop with the correct weight, dimensions, and description on every piece being shipped, we’ll be able to provide the correct freight class. LTL Freight Shop’s representatives have been trained by the NMFTA and have a staff of freight class experts. Let us take the guessing out of your process and make sure you have the right freight class.

Contact LTL Freight Shop with your Freight Classification today!

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Cost Analysis for LTL

Posted on April 1, 2013 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Customers often use the term “Sharpen your pencil.” Meaning you need to rate lower than my current cost. Every customer has different freight volumes. For example a company the size of Wal-Mart is going to get a deeper shipping discount than a mom and pop shop that ships one time per month. Here at LTL Freight Shop we offer free cost analysis services. We take a sample of your current freight invoices from other 3PL’s and direct carriers to set what your discount could be with LTL Freight Shop. For sizable accounts, we can take your current freight spend combined with our annual spend and get you specialized pricing to suit your companies freight needs. Please contact us today to get your free cost analysis going!

Request a Freight and Shipping Quote

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Carrying Cases or Bags NOI | NMFC 187645

Posted on October 4, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Are you a travel bag, sporting case, backpack or other carrying case and bag manufacturer or distributor? If so, then you’re probably familiar with the NMFC code 187645 for Cases NOI … if not, you should be.
As all shippers know, an NMFC code is the standard classification system in the freight transportation industry that is used to identify freight of all kinds. Every item on this planet is included or covered under an NMFC code or freight class… if it’s not, then it can be shipped under the closest category and “NOI.” NOI means not otherwise identified. Could you imagine being on the team that contributed to creating this system? Me either! But, freight class and NMFC codes are a critical piece to freight shipping and it’s important to understand before booking a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment how the industry identifies your freight. This is for the safety and efficiency… not to mention, to avoid getting unexpected re-class fees.
What items are classified under the NMFC 187645 “Carrying Cases or Bags NOI” code? Several common cases and bags can fall under this freight class such as:
• Air Transport of America (ATA) Cases
• Audio (Sound) Recording Carrying Cases
• Backpack Baby Carriers
• Backpacks
• Bowling Ball or Bowling Shoe Bags or Cases;
• Lunch Boxes or Bags
• Camera, Camera Equipment or Film Projector Carrying Bags
• Gun Carrying Cases
• Handbags, hatboxes & purses
• Luggage, Suitcases & Traveling Bags
• Musical Instrument Cases

But wait … there’s more! Once you’ve identified that your freight is one of the items listed above, you have to know the density to determine the class. Freight density is the metric used to indicate an objects weight compared to relative size. It’s calculated by multiplying the length, width and height of your freight and dividing it by the total weight in other words (Density = Weight / Cubic Feet). Typically, the higher the density, the higher the cost because the carrier wants to maximize the space in the truck and if your freight will take up a lot of floor space but weighs practically nothing … they are going to charge you for the space that they could have used to fill the truck up with and this increased their profit! Once you know the density for your NMFC 187645 “Carrying Cases or Bags NOI” freight, you can determine which sub category your shipment aligns with and “VOILA”, your freight class!
The team at LTL Freight Shop is pretty experienced when it comes to helping our customers identify their freight class. After all, it becomes second nature when you book hundreds of shipments daily! Reach out any time and we’ll be happy to guide you through all the steps and make sure you know your freight inside and out. For freight class help, enter your shipment in here and we’ll give you a call or send an email.
Hope this helps!

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Tradeshow Shipping – Exhibition or Trade Show Booth NMFC Help

Posted on June 21, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Tradeshows and exhibitions are an important marketing tool in the strategy of many businesses, especially business to business (B2B) product or service companies. The logistics of planning, getting to, setting up, during and getting home from the event can get very difficult. The area you shouldn’t have to worry about with your trade show is getting the tradeshow booth, stall and/or materials to the exhibition location.

For those that have shipped their materials or booth to a tradeshow, you know it can get difficult, especially depending on the location. If you haven’t yet, make sure that you have all the details on how to ship it correctly, otherwise you could be without a booth for your tradeshow. First thing to know is the NMFC code for tradeshow shipping. NMFC 154630 covers:

  • Exhibition or Trade Show Paraphernalia, NOI
  • Exhibition Stalls
  • Trade Show Booths
  • In boxes, crates or trunks
  • Any equipment, materials, supplies, furnishings or trapping use to construct an exhibition or trade show display

It isn’t just the NMFC code or freight class, there are a lot of other important details that come into play when quoting and booking a tradeshow shipment. The length of the shipments could cause it to be much more expensive, so ensuring the materials are packaged in a way to minimize space should reduce cost. Only certain LTL freight carriers will even take trade show shipments, as they can be very difficult to work with. You MUST include all the important information on the bill of lading and shipping documents. Finally, since we all know that the tradeshow will go on whether your booth is there or not, it is important to look into guaranteed shipping options for your shipment.

Do you have a trade show or exhibition coming up and need help with getting your booth, stalls or materials to the location? Contact one of our experienced tradeshow shipping representatives today at 888-752-0443! You can also request a trade show shipping quote and get the specific freight class on your shipment.

Hope this Helps!

LTL Freight Shop

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Shipping Engines – Internal Combustion New and Used – NMFC 120800

Posted on June 19, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

We receive calls and emails each day from customers that are confused on how to ship their products and machinery. This happens because many types of products/machinery come with specific shipping requirements that drastically change the NMFC code, freight class and freight shipping costs, i.e. internal combustion engines.

Internal combustion engines are a highly complicated piece of machinery to ship; with over 10 different NMFC codes for various engine types that cause confusion during the initial stages of the shipping process. These engines fall under a specific NMFC code though (NMFC 120800) and require you ship them in certain manners. You need to ask yourself quite a few questions and discuss them with your shipping representative before you request a quote or ship your engine. This could determine the shipping cost and freight class of your shipment. Questions you should ask include:

  • Is the engine new or used?
    A used engine must not work and only be used for salvaging or reconditioning. If the engine is fixed or refurbished, it qualifies as new. Used engines fall under a different NMFC code and freight class.
  • Is the engine drained of all liquids?
    The engine is not allowed to be shipped unless drained of all liquids, except those necessary to prevent rust, corrosion or other damage.
  •  How is it being packaged?
    The way the engine is packaged is another factor in determining the freight class. The simple difference between mounting on a wheeled shipping carrier and shipping on racks or cradles can causes large changes in freight rates.
  • What is the released value of the shipment?
    The released valuation  is another large factor in determining the freight class of engines and must be given at the time of quoting, as well as notated on the bill of lading.

These guidelines only apply when shipping internal combustion engines, NOI, so it is important to make sure you have all the correct information before you book your shipment. If you have specific questions about your engine shipment, please contact a qualified shipping representative today at 888-752-0443. We also have freight class experts available to answer NMFC and freight class questions. Looking to book your engine shipment? Request an engine shipping quote today!

Hope this Helps!

LTL Freight Shop

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Mmmm… Chocolate Candy Shipping & NMFC Freight Class Help

Posted on June 14, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop Leave a comment

Chocolate Candy Shipping | NMFC Freight ClassWho doesn’t love candy? Apparently a small minority people do not! Chocolate candy does have some negative and positive side effects with certain people. One of the negative side effects is trying to ship it via an LTL or Truckload freight carrier.

Shipping chocolate candy can be a difficult task to get to the mouths of the customers. Many people don’t realize some of the difficulties in the supply chain process. Some types of chocolate do not require special accommodations, while other need temperate controlled trucks, special handling, and specific booking requirements to determine the correct cost.

One of these requirements for shipping chocolate candy is the NMFC freight class. The NMFTA made a NMFC code for chocolate candy under NOI (Not otherwise indexed). The code for chocolate candy is NMFC 39970, which also contains items like other types of candy in glass jars or metal tins.The specific freight class of the chocolate candy shipment can get slightly more complicated, with the sub classes range from class 65 to class 92.5. To accurately get the correct freight class for chocolate you must measure and weigh each pallet and run them through a density calculator. Once you have the total density you can obtain the correct class.

If you have any specific questions on shipping chocolate candy, please feel free to contact a shipping representative today at 888-752-0443 or sales@ltlfreightshop.com. We also have freight class experts to assist you with your shipment, or you can request a freight quote today to ship your chocolate or candy.

Hope this Helps!

LTL Freight Shop

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Shipping Resin & Resin Compounds | NMFC 46030 & More

Posted on June 12, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop 1 Comment

At LTL Freight Shop, we have been working hard to help our customers and partners to ensure that their shipping and supply chain processes run smoothly. Some of the recent calls and emails we have received have been asking about shipping Resin and Resin Compounds. We wanted to answer a few of these questions below:

  • What is the NMFC code for shipping resin compounds?

Many people use a standard NMFC code for shipping resin and resin compounds, as most types of products fall under this freight classification. NMFC 46030 contains all resins or resin compounds made of coal tar or petroleum. This code applies to a variety of products and has some specific features that are important to ask your shipping provider about, including the correct packaging to use. There are also four other NMFC codes that a resin shipment could fall under, which will be covered below.

  • Do you know the freight class for resin?

The freight class for resin and resin compound shipping varies based on the type of resin and if it is density-based and/or value-based. While we would love to provide a simple answer on the freight class for your specific shipment, that is not something we can easily do in this blog. The freight classification for resin can vary from freight class 55 to freight class 500. Contact us today and we would be happy to provide your specific freight class.

  • How do resin compounds need to be packaged?

Resin compounds require certain packaging in order to fall under the correct freight class. This is an important factor in ensuring your shipment is quoted at the correct cost. For instance, NMFC 46030 requires the shipment to be in multiple-wall paper bags, cloth bags, boxes or drums. We would be happy to provide you more tips on your specific shipment, as it could help to reduce your costs.

  • Does the type of resin matter for NMFC or freight class?

In short, YES. While many resins and resin compounds fall under one NMFC, it is important to be aware of the type of resin that you are shipping. For example, epoxy resins are a completely different NMFC and freight class which is based upon the value of the shipment. Another example includes resin compounds that are in paint materials, which is a density-based item. The differences in resin type can cause huge changes in freight class and shipping cost.

  • Does value matter when shipping resin?

As stated above, it depends on the type of resin compound that is being shipping. In one case, Adhesive or Epoxy Resins that are electronically conductive and made of gold or silver, the freight class is determined based upon the value of the shipment. It is important to know when you shipping a value-based product!

  • Does density matter when shipping resin compounds?

Finally, density is another factor that only plays a small part in shipping resin. When shipping resin compounds associated with paint materials, make sure you have the correct density. This is a density-based item.

If you have any other questions about shipping resin or resin compounds, please feel free to contact us. We have experts in freight classification and shipping of these products. Get freight class help today, request a shipping quote or contact us at 888-752-0443.

Hope this Helps!

LTL Freight Shop

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Why are there 18 Freight Classes in LTL Freight Shipping?

Posted on June 7, 2012 by LTL Freight Shop 1 Comment

We receive hundreds of calls, emails and form submissions each week asking our freight class experts to help determine their freight classes. Our team knows how difficult it can be to find the right freight class, especially with so many different options and factors that affect it. After all these calls lately, we wanted to answer the frequent question:

Why are there 18 freight classes in LTL freight shipping?

The freight classification of a shipment can range from freight class 50-500 and is one of a variety of factors that affect the pricing of a shipment. LTL freight classes and NMFC codes are one of the most important details on every shipment. Including the correct class in the beginning will prevent re-classes and increases in freight shipping costs. The freight class of the shipment is divided based on different factors, such as:

  • Freight Shipment Density
  • Product Type
  • NMFC Code
  • Shipment Packaging
  • New or Used
  • AND MORE

The NMFTA divides shipments among 18 different freight classes. These freight classes are 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500. Each of these 18 freight classes will vary based on the product of the shipment, and even on different shipments of the same product type. This is called a density-based item. The key with these items is to use a density calculator to determine the density in pounds per cubic foot, as this can change the shipment from freight class 50 to freight class 500. As a rule of thumb:

  • The lower the shipment density, the higher the freight class and cost
  • The higher the shipment density, the lower the freight class and cost
  • Feathers take up space but weigh nothing (Higher class and cost)
  • Iron or Steel take up little space but weigh a lot (Lower class and cost)

When trying to find the correct freight class for your shipment, it is important to make sure you are using the correct tools and resources. Freight class problems can quickly turn into a shipping department nightmare. Don’t let the complexity of freight classes cause issues for the rest of your business. Contact a freight class expert at LTL Freight Shop today for help with freight classes and to use a density calculator. Call 888-752-0443 or email sales@ltlfreightshop.com.

Hope this Helps!

LTL Freight Shop

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