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Q:
When Should I use a Common Carrier?
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A: If
your package weighs more than 150 lbs, it is too heavy
for a parcel service and you will need a common
carrier. |
LTL (Less
than Truckload) carriers will transport shipments
weighing anywhere from 100 to 10,000 lbs.
If your shipment weighs more than 10,000 lbs, it
may take up an entire truck which means you will
need a FTL (Full Truckload) carrier.
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Q: What is the Standard Procedure of a Common Carrier? |
A: The
standard procedure is a truck driver backing up
to a loading dock for the shipment to be loaded
by the shipper then driving the shipment to the
destination loading dock to be unloaded by the consignee.
Any additional services required outside of this
standard procedure, may require additional fees
called accessorials. Examples of additional services needed could be: liftgate required, residential delivery, or limited access delivery.
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Q: How will my shipment be transported with a LTL
Carrier? |
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A: Your
shipment will be transported via truck along with
other customer's shipments so that the costs of
transportation are shared which makes LTL transportation
economical and affordable. |
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Q: How will my shipment be transported with a FTL
Carrier? |
A: If
your shipment is large enough to take up the entire
truck space, it is a "full truckload" and will be
transported via truck all by itself. If your shipment
does not quite require the entire space, it is considered
a "partial truckload" and will be transported via
truck along with another partial load.
| Q: What is freight class? |
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A: Freight
Class refers to the National Motor Freight Classification
(NMFC) and it is the category of your freight as
defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic
Association (NMFTA). |
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Your
shipment's freight class determines the carrier's
shipping charges. There are 18 freight classes ranging
from class 50 (the least expensive) to class 500
(most expensive). The class of your shipment
is determined by its contents and NMFC item number. |
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Q: What is a NMFC Number? |
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A: This
is the item number that specifically identifies
each type of product that can be shipped by a LTL
carrier. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association
(NMFTA) assigns NMFC item #'s to all products along
with a freight class. The NMFC # identifies what
you are shipping and it's freight class. |
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Q: How does Freight Class & NMFC # affect my shipment? |
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A:
Your product NMFC # identifies the freight class
and the freight class determines your shipping charges.
For this reason, it is critical that you know the
correct NMFC # and freight class in order to receive
accurate freight charges and to ensure that the
carrier does not re-class your shipment which could
result in a higher shipping charge. |
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Q: How do I find out my Freight Class and NMFC #? |
A:
All classes
and NMFC #'s are catalogued in the NMFC Tarrif for
freight carriers. Any freight carrier can look this
information up for you. You may also call
the NMFTA direct at: (703) 838-1810 for more details.
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