| Each product that moves by an LTL carrier has a | | | | does have the right to adjust the billing and bill the |
| freight class assigned. A single governing body know | | | | shipment at a higher freight class. If a carrier adjusts |
| as the National Motor Freight Traffic Association | | | | the class and bills the shipper at a higher rate, those |
| (NMFTA) determines a product's freight class. All | | | | additional charges will be passed along to the shipper. |
| carriers acknowledge the product's classification that | | | | Some carriers will also bill additional inspection fees to |
| is assigned by this group, it is virtually the unspoken | | | | the shipment, which will also be passed along to the |
| gospel. The NMFTA will analyze a product's typical | | | | customer as a supplemental bill. Typically a rating |
| size, value, density and difficulty of transporting that | | | | system will provide accurate pricing based on the |
| particular type of product. Once they have analyzed | | | | information entered. If the shipment's class is |
| the product, they will assign that product a freight | | | | different than the class that is entered, the amount |
| class. The freight class will range from 50 to 500. The | | | | billed to the shipper will not match the amount they |
| lower the freight class, the cheaper the cost will be | | | | were quoted and can cause issues in collecting the |
| to move the item. Typically items at lower classes will | | | | freight charges. |
| be items that are very dense, easy to transport and | | | | The following are Product examples and their Freight |
| will typically have a low per pound value. The higher | | | | Class: |
| the freight class, the cost to move the item will be | | | | - 500 lbs. of bricks- Class 50 |
| more expensive. Items listed at higher classes will be | | | | - 500 lbs. of computer towers- Class 100 |
| more bulky, difficult to transport with lower weights | | | | - 500 lbs. of Ping-Pong Balls- Class 500 |
| and are more valuable. | | | | Again, as you can see, the heavier the product the |
| It is very important that the correct class information | | | | lower the Class rating and thus the shipper will pay a |
| be entered into the quoting system to allow | | | | less rate. Freight shipping is not a glamorous industry, |
| customers to receive accurate quotes. A carrier has | | | | but it is a very necessary part of the worlds supply |
| the right to inspect any item being shipped on their | | | | chain, and if utilized the right way a company can |
| trucks. If a product's description does not match the | | | | save alot of money. |
| class that is shown on the Bill Of Lading. the carrier | | | | |