As a follow up to our August NMFC Changes eBook, there are some major changes that went into effect on August 5 which shippers should be aware of. One of the most substantial changes is the transition from a 9-tier to an 11-tier density breakdown. Depending on the density of the shipment, the freight class could change due to the new density subclassification thresholds.
Topics: NMFC, Domestic, Less-Than-Truckload
It’s been more than two years in the making and now there are only six months until the federal electronic logging mandate (ELD) will take full effect. As the compliance deadline continues to approach, below are some insights into the most common questions from shippers:
“What EXACTLY is ELD?”
“What does this mean for my business and for the industry as a whole?”
“What options are there to help us prepare and be proactive?”
Topics: Domestic, Technology
When it comes to managing shipping costs, organizations tend to over-look the inbound supply chain. Effectively controlling and managing inbound freight can be a difficult process without a solid structure to hold vendors accountable. Below are our top three tips to help reduce inbound logistics costs.
Topics: Domestic, Vendor Inbound Management
Centralizing the management of logistics activities can produce a number of benefits for shippers. With a dedicated team to manage logistics activities, shippers will save time and money due to the increased control, improved transparency and streamlined processes. Below are 10 reasons why shippers should consider the centralization of logistics management.
Do you have a firm control over inbound shipping costs? A thorough inbound shipping program can help you improve your supply chain visibility to ensure cost-effective shipping decisions are made.
Topics: Domestic, Logistics Best Practices, Vendor Inbound Management
Freight audit and payment programs can help companies of all sizes improve accuracy when reviewing and paying carrier invoices. With a team devoted to carefully analyzing all charges prior to payment, freight audit and payment providers can save shippers considerable time and money.
Regardless of how much industry experience you have, determining freight classification and staying in line with the National Motor Freight Traffic Association’s (NMFTA) rules, can be frustrating, especially if you get it wrong. However, determining your shipment’s freight class is a critical step to effectively managing your supply chain. Not only does class determine your hard cost, but it’s also a vital factor when it comes to dealing with possible claims or disputes.
Topics: Freight, NMFC, Domestic, Less-Than-Truckload, 3pl
Whether you’re new to the transportation industry or brushing up on your terminology, it can be challenging to understand freight related terms. Without insight into what the terms mean and how to apply them to your shipments, logistics can become frustrating – especially when the terms are related to charges. To better help you, the experts at Ascent came together to define shipping terms that we frequently receive questions about and expand on how these terms apply to you.
In a recent shipment, an Ascent client ran into a costly shipping mistake that we often see. In this situation, the shipper faced additional carrier charges due to miscommunication. The freight was called into the carrier and reported on the BOL with the dimensions of 40”x48” (13.3’); however, they loaded their freight on the truck as 48”x40” (16’). Since the shipper loaded their freight in the truck differently than they originally noted on their shipping paperwork, they exceeded the designated linear foot rule, resulting in additional charges. How does this happen?
Topics: Domestic