NMFC Changes effective August 7, 2021

NMFC Changes effective August 7, 2021

NMFC Changes effective August 7, 2021The Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) has published a new supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These NMFC changes are effective 08/07/2021.  Some notable changes are listed below.

Machinery or Machines, NOI, or Machinery or Machine Parts, NOI

  • Density breaks have been added at 5, 10 and 15 PCF for item 133300.
  • Item 133300 is now a 8 scale density item instead of a 6 scale density item.

Cereals

  • New Item 72310 was created for Cereals, NOI and will have 3 classes predicated on density breaks at 8 and 12 PCF.
  • Items 42300 (Cereal Group), 42310 (Cereals), 42315 (Cereals, NOI, in boxes), 42318 (Cereals, Infant), 42320 (Cereals, Cooked), 42330 Bran, Bran and Wheat Combined), 42350 (Combination Packs), 42380 (Granola), 42390 (Granulated), 42410 (Popped or Puffed) and 42436 (Wheat) are canceled with reference to new item 72310 (Cereals, viz).

Charcoal, coconut shell, nut shell, NOI, or fruit pit, not activated

  • Item 42450 is amended to a two tier class structure based on packaging (Class 85 and Class 65).
  • The bomb burst symbol has been removed and now is only applicable when not regulated by the U.S. DOT for placarding.

Flag Poles, Staffs or Sticks, or Sections thereof, including Flag Pole, Staff or Stick Bases or Stands

  • New Item 160420 was created for Poles, Staffs, or Sticks, flag, or Sections thereof, NOI, with or without baes, holders or stands; or Flag Pole, Staff or Stick Bases. Holders or Stands with classes are predicated on greatest dimension and density, with breaks at 6 and 12 PCF.
  • Items 22060 (Bases), 69990 (Flag Poles, Staffs or Sticks, or Sections thereof), 70000 (Flag Poles, Staffs or Sticks, or Sections thereof), 70010 (Flag Poles, Staffs or Sticks, or Sections thereof), 94880 (Flag Holders or Stands, iron) are canceled with reference to new item 160420.

Shields, Guards or Flaps, mud or fender, automobile

  • Item 19480 (Shields, Guards or Flaps) is canceled with reference to item 18260 (Body Parts; Parts; or Trim).

Chemicals Oxygen Generators

  • New Item 45470 was created for Oxygen Generators with classes based on density with density breaks at 4 and 8 PCF.
  • Item 43865 (Candles) is canceled with reference to new item 45470 (Oxygen Generators).

Spools

  • New Item 177400 was created for Spools, NOI with classes based on the 11 sub full scale density scale.
  • Items 177450 (Aluminum, wire shipping, used), 177470 (Aluminum, NOI), 177500 (Brass, Bronze, or nickel-silver), 177520 (Chemically hardened fiber and pulpboard, wood or metal combined), 177540 (Chemically paper or pulpboard, or chemically hardened paper or pulpboard and wood combined), 177560 (Compressed ground wood or fiberboard wallboard heads (ends) and fiberboard drums), 177580 (Iron, Steel or wooden, or iron or steel and wood combined, assembled or not assembled), 177600 (Magnesium, or Magnesium alloy, cast, rubber thread shipping), 177620 Paper or pulpboard, NOI) and 177640 (Rubber composition or wood and rubber composition combined) are canceled with reference to new item 177400 (Spools, NOI).

Gratings or Foot Walks, aluminum

  • New Item 13450 was created for Footwalks, Walkways or Grating with classes predicated on greatest dimension and density, with breaks at 9 and 12 PCF.
  • Item 13490 (Gratings or Foot Walks) is canceled with reference to item 13450 (Footwalks, Walkways or Gratings).

Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials – Hazard Class 9, and infectious Substances- Hazard Class 6, Hazard Division 6.2

  • A new item, Item 45322, has been established for Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials, NOI, including Environmentally Hazardous Substances, NOI, or Other Regulated Substances, NOI.
  • The class is predicated on density breaks at 20 and 30 PCF.

Patient Care, Comfort or Treatment Kits or Sets

  • Item 56790 (Kits) is canceled with reference to item 56785 (Kits or Sets, patient care, comfort or treatment).
  • Item 56785 is a full scale density item.

Bulbs or Tubers

  • Item 71130 (Bulbs or Tubers) is canceled with reference to item 71120 (Bulbs or Tubers, NOI).
  • Item 71120 is amended to provide classes predicated on packaging and density, with breaks at 9 and 15 PCF.

Brick, building or paving, or Firebrick

  • Item 32100 (Brick) is amended to provide classes predicated on a density break at 30 PCF.

Artists’ or Crafters’ Material or Supplies

  • New Item 14535 was created for Artists’ or Crafters’ Materials or Supplies with classes based on the 11 sub full scale density scale.
  • Items 14530 (Artist’s Board), 14540 (Artists’ Materials and Paints) and 14560 (Kits, craft, NOI) are canceled with reference to 14535 (Artists’ or Crafters’ Materials or Supplies viz).

Halogenated Monomethyldiphenyl-Methanes, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), or Polyhalogenated Biphenyls or Polyhalogenated Terphenyls

  • This item is no longer approved for use in the United States but can be manufactured in the United States for export to other countries.
  • Class 500 will apply if inadvertently accepted.

Disposable Clothing and Related Articles

  • Item 56710 (Drapes, Sheets, Pillowcases, Towels, Washclothes or Patient Examination Gowns) is canceled with reference to item 56545 (Clothing and Related Articles).
  • Item 56545 (Clothing and Related Articles) is amended to provide classes based on density breaks at 6 and 10 pcf.

Belts, abrasive

  • Item 1060 (Belts, abrasive) is amended to a full scale density item.

Refrigeration Units (reefer Units), truck, trailer or marine container

  • Item 123600 has been amended to provide classes predicated on greatest dimension and density, with breaks at 8 and 15 PCF.

Seats, bathtub or shower

  • Item 172680 (Seats, bathtub, baby, nested) is canceled with reference to item 159000 (Seats, bathtub or shower, including Baby bath Seats).
  • Item 159000 is amended from class 77.5 to class 150.

Butchers’ Block (Butcher Blocks); or Butchers’ Cutting or Chopping Tables or Table Tops

  • New Item 39120 was created for Butchers’ Blocks (Butcher Blocks); or Butchers’ Cutting or Chopping Tables or Table Tops with classes predicated on greatest dimension and density, with a single density break at 12 PCF.
  • Item 24120 (Blocks, butchers; Cutting or Chopping Tables; or Butchers’ Cutting or Chopping Table Tops) is canceled with reference to item 39120 (Butchers’ Blocks (Butcher Blocks); or Butchers’ Cutting or Chopping Tables or Table Tops).

Chemicals (Specific Provisions for Commodities regulated as Hazardous Materials)

  • Items 44950 (Sulfate, crude), 44960 (Sulfate, refined) 44690 (Bromide) and 47110 (Tin Bichloride) are canceled with reference to item 44155 (Corrosive Materials).
  • Items 44855 (Isobutyric Anhydride), 45260 (Methyl Acetone), 46023 (Pyroligneous Acid), and 46850 (Cumene) are canceled with reference to item 44500 (Flammable Liquids, NOI; or Combustible Liquids).
  • Items 44910 (Peroxide, ground, dry), 44920 (Peroxide, paste),  46270 (Chromate), 46480 (Perborate), and 47100 (Thorium Nitrate) are canceled with reference to item 45467 (Oxidizers, NOI).
  • Items 45960 (Potassium-Xanthate) and 46690 (Sodium-Xanthate) are canceled with reference to item 44515 (Flammable Solid, Spontaneously Combustible or Dangerous When Wet Materials).
  • Items 45325 (Monochloroacetic Acid), 45900 (Silicofluoride), 46530 (Prussiate), 46870 (Dinitrochlorobenzene (Dinitrochlorobenzol)), 46890 (Dinitrotoluol, dry), 46930 (Mononitrotoluol) and 46970 (Orthodichlorobenzol) are canceled with reference to 45615 (Poisonous or Toxic Materials).

The below rules have been updated and clarified.

Item (Rule) 250- Definition of or Specification for Cylinders

  • Packaging specifications for cylinders is amended to ensure it can withstand the LTL environment.

Item (Rule) 680- Freight that Must be Floor-Loaded

  • Section 17 has been added.

Item (Rule) 220- Definition of or Specification for Boxes

  • Notes 3 and 4 are canceled.

Item (Rule) 235- Specifications for Bundles, Coils, Reels or Rolls

  • This item has been amended by adding “Except where more specifically provided in individual items,”

Item (rule) 240- Specifications for Carboys

  • Packaging specifications for cylinders is amended to ensure it can withstand the LTL environment.

The following items are canceled as obsolete:

39710 Outfits, amateur retouching
40340 Gelatine
40380 Paper and Tin Ring
40610 Clinker
40960 Cans, cream or milk shipping
40970 Cans, ice cream, fiberboard, insulated
40980 Cans, oyster shipping, iron
42500 Checks, baggage or parcel
43510 Blasting Chlorate, NOI
48375 Ore, actinolite
48383 Ore, beryllium
50020 Color, butter
50023 Color, cheese
50395 Compounds, wood splitting preventive
54230 Unginned (Cotton in the Seed)
54670 Match Book, not cut to specific size, printed
55060 Shot
55500 Concentrated Sweet Cream
55510 Egg Albumen Concentrate
55895 Christmas Trees, natural, preserved, flocked or not flocked, mounted on stands
55905 Christmas Trees, with wooden trunks and flock coated metal branches
56210 Ruscus or Eryanthus
57580 Doubletrees, Eveners, Neckyokes or Singletrees
57900 Hydrobarometers
58960 Malt Tonics
62725 Platters, phonograph turntable
62740 Racks, mine lamp charging
64460 Sumac
65660 Pails, fruit gathering, iron, with cloth bottoms
65780 Seed Corn Driers
65800 Silo Door Frames
67940 Felt or Felt Wheels
67960 Felt, gun wad
67970 Felt, hair, not woven
68660 Fiberware
68960 Filling, sisal
69790 Fish Roe, fresh
69930 Fish Livers, salted or chemically preserved
69980 Fish Scrap
71240 Lily of the Valley Roots (Pips)
71840 Foliage or Leaves
72460 Citrons or Lemons

Additional detail is included in the DOCKET 2021-2 bulletin. As always, please contact us if you have any questions.

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Logistics Plus Recognizes 2020 LTL Carriers of the Year

Logistics Plus Recognizes 2020 LTL Carriers of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Logistics Plus Recognizes 2020 LTL Carriers of the Year

Ward Transport & Logistics, Dayton Freight, XPO Logistics, and Estes Express all receive honors.

2020 LTL Carriers of the YearERIE, PA (March 2, 2021) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, recently recognized four of its less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier-partners for superior performance in 2020. The annual awards were presented to the following carriers in each of two categories:

  • Ward Transport & Logistics and Dayton Freight were named Regional LTL Carriers of the Year. It is the third time in the past four years that Ward has earned the honors and the fifth consecutive year for Dayton Freight. RIST Transport, AAA Cooper, and Pitt Ohio were all noted as runners-up for the category.
  • XPO Logistics and Estes Express were named the National LTL Carriers of the Year. It is the first year that XPO has been recognized, and the third consecutive year Estes has earned the honor. FedEx Freight and ABF were noted as runners-up for the category.

eShipPlus with MyFreightTrendsLogistics Plus manages hundreds of thousand LTL shipments annually as a top North American freight brokerage firm. It delivers LTL services through its proprietary eShipPlus™ transportation management system (TMS) – an online platform made available to all LTL customers and select freight agents (now with MyFreightTrends™ business intelligence dashboards). Logistics Plus also offers shippers truckload, expedited, international freight forwarding, claims management, freight audit & payment, business intelligence, and many other supply chain solutions.

Logistics Plus works with most of the top LTL carriers in the industry. Its annual LTL carrier awards are based on an assessment of the following performance criteria:

  • Share of Business & Growth
  • Service Performance & Billing Accuracy
  • Price Competitiveness
  • Customer Service & Support
  • Account Representation & Partnership

2020 was a challenging year for shippers, 3PLs, and carriers,” said Scott Frederick, vice president of marketing and LTL carrier relations for Logistics Plus. “We value all of our carrier-partners and picking to best-of-the-best each year is always difficult. Despite operational and rate challenges brought on by the pandemic, Ward, Dayton, XPO, and Estes all provided the best overall performance across most aspects of our partnership ratings.

Logistics Plus is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021. LTL freight management was the very first service the company offered in 1996. Last year, the company surpassed over one million LTL freight shipments successfully delivered through its North American Division (NAD). Based in Erie, PA, NAD is staffed by a group of talented and caring professionals annually recognized by Transport Topics as a top freight brokerage firm.

About Logistics Plus Inc.

A 21st Century Logistics CompanyLogistics Plus Inc. is a 21st-century logistics company that provides freight transportation, Warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded 25 years ago in Erie, PA, by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly regarded, fast-growing, and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.

The Logistics Plus® network includes offices, warehouses, and agents located in Erie, PA; Akron, OH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Chino, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Des Moines, IA; Detroit, MI; Fort Worth, TX; Haslet TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Lexington, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Melbourne, FL; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Olean, NY; San Francisco, CA; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Ukraine; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com

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NMFC Changes effective August 7, 2021

NMFC Changes effective April 10, 2021

NMFC-Guide-BookThe 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.

Additional detail is included in the DOCKET 2021-1 bulletin. As always, please contact us if you have any questions.

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

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

Freight Analysis and RFPAs 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!

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Logistics Plus Adds New MyFreightTrends Analytics to eShipPlus TMS

Logistics Plus Adds New MyFreightTrends Analytics to eShipPlus TMS

MyFreightTrends Logo Powered by Logistics PlusLogistics Plus is proud to announce that a new business intelligence tool called MyFreightTrends ™ has been embedded inside its cloud-based eShipPlus ™ transportation management system (TMS). The new tool is now universally available to all eShipPlus users. The off-the-shelf report provides customers with detailed dashboards and analytics regarding their North American freight shipping, including:

  • A Summary report with total LTL and FTL spend by mode and by carrier;
  • A detailed Lane Analysis report with network velocity metrics;
  • A Lane Performance report with average shipment cost trends by location;
  • A Shipment Details report that can be exported to Excel;
  • A freight Charges Summary report with historical trending; and
  • A Weather Alerts map detailing weather events that may impact domestic supply chains.

All the dashboard reports are highly interactive, meaning users can click on graphs and images to instantly filter views based on modes, carriers, lanes, and timeframe.

Watch the animated GIF below for a short preview.

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MyFreightTrends Example Animated GIF

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Watch this 9-minute tutorial.


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“Logistics Plus has been on the cutting-edge of business intelligence reporting the past few years, with highly customized reports for both our internal users and our larger 3PL and 4PL clients,” said Scott Frederick, vice president of marketing & LTL carrier relations for Logistics Plus. “With MyFreightTrends, we now have a very detailed and insightful off-the-shelf package we can make available to all of our customers, no matter how small or large.” Frederick added, “Of course, we can still provide additional report customizations for clients that need them as part of our overall business intelligence solution.”

Current users can log in to eShipPlus and view the MyFreightTrends dashboards under the reporting menu. Not a current eShipPlus user? Visit www.logisticsplus.com/tools/eshipplus/about/ to learn more.