Valuable Information About Our Shipping Services

How to determine Freight Class

In an effort to establish fair measures and standardize freight pricing, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created a classification system for every type of freight.

The 18 freight classes are defined with a number between 50 and 500. Below are four things to consider when determining your shipment's freight class.

Commodity / Density

Some products have pre defined freight classes. Others are determined by density.
Stowability

Difficulty of transporting items due to irregular sizes will result in a higher freight class.
Handling

Objects that are fragile, heavy, hazardous or require additional handling are subject to a higher freight class.
Liability

Products that are easily damaged or that can cause damage to other freight have a higher freight class and may not be covered by the freight carriers liability.

Freight Class	Example Commodities	Density (lbs/cubic foot)
50	Buts, Bolts, Steel Rods	50+
55	Hardwood Flooring, Bricks	35-50
60	Ceramic Tiles, Foodstuff	30-35
65	Books, Bottled Beverages	22.5-30
70	Food Items, Paper In Boxes	15-22.5
77.5	Tires, Bathroom Fixtures	13.5 - 15
85	Engines, Transmissions	12 - 13.5
92.5	Computers, Monitors	10.5 - 12
100	Car & Boat Covers, Wine Cases	9 - 10.5
110	Cabinets, Framed Artwork	8 - 9
125	Small Household Appliances	7 - 8
150	Refrigerators, Freezers	6 - 7
175	Lighting, Signs	5 - 6
200	Packaged Mattresses	4 - 5
250	TV's, Toys, Pet Products	3 - 4
300	Wood Cabinets, Glass	2 - 3
400	Light Fixtures	1 - 2
500	Ping Pong Balls	< 1

Accessorial Charges

Accessorial charges are fees added to a freight bill for additional services. These charges can be assessed and applied after the shipment has been booked, making it difficult to forecast final costs. Understanding these services and being proactive will help you prevent unnecessary charges.

Liftgate

Trucking equipment to lower freight to ground. Used in situations with no loading dock or forklift to unload freight.
Redelivery

If the consignee is closed, rejects the delivery, or the proper equipment to unload the truck is not available, the shipment will be brought back to the terminal. In this instance, the carrier will charge a redelivery fee.
Delivery Appointment

If the shipment requires a specific window for delivery or prior notice, a delivery appointment will be assessed.
Reclass

Every LTL shipment needs to have the proper freight class and NMFC. If the class and NMFC do not match the product, the carrier may reclass the shipment and charge a higher amount.
Reweigh

Carriers scan and weigh every shipment that gets picked up. When the weight on the BOL is incorrect, the carrier will charge for the updated weight. A weight and inspection will be provided from the carrier.
Layover

A charge will apply if the receiver is unable to accept a load and the truck has to hold onto the freight for another day.
Limited Access

construction sites, fairs and carnivals, military bases/installations, mine sites, prisons, schools or universities, churches, storage facilities, piers, airports, farm or ranches, campgrounds, zoos, reservations, government facilities, hotels/motels, casinos or resorts, hospitals, doctor’s offices, small strip malls, rural areas, or any location that requires a smaller or specialized truck, etc.
Lumper

This is typically found at large distribution warehouses where third party laborers get paid to unload cargo. They will charge the carrier and provide a receipt at completion and then the fee will be invoiced accordingly.
Sort & Seg

If a driver is required to break up an order and do a piece count, they will charge sort & seg. When this is not requested, it is the receiver’s responsibility to unload the shipment.
Residential

There is an additional charge shipping to residential areas, regardless if it is going to a house or business.

Inside Delivery

Common freight procedure is dropping the freight off curbside. If the customer needs the driver to use a pallet jack to bring the pallet inside or past the threshold, an inside delivery fee will be charged.
Over Length

For any items 8ft in length or longer, will be charged an over length fee.
Hazardous Materials

Department of Transportation requires that all Hazardous Materials are properly documented during transport and carriers must be notified prior to pick up.
After-hour Deliveries

Any delivery outside the normal operating hours of 8-5 can cost more money.
Truck Ordered Not Used (TONU)

If a truck is ordered and there is a last minute cancelation, they will charge a TONU fee.
Storage

If a shipment needs to be held at a terminal for any period of time, storage fees will accumulate. Standard procedure for freight carriers, is 3 days of free storage before charing.
Detention

Depending on the size of the shipment, carriers will give between 15 minutes - 1 hour for loading and delivering.
Guarantee

For time critical shipments, there is an additional service fee for guaranteed deliveries. Freight carriers will not guarantee pick ups, but they will offer guaranteed transits and deliveries.
Protection from Freezing

For shipments that are temperature sensitive, some carriers offer a service to protect them from freezing.
Trade Show

For trade shows or sending items to convention centers, there are only a few carriers that provide this service.
Dock Pick up

If a shipment needs to be picked up from Will Call at the carriers terminal, a dock pick up charge may be assessed.
Container Freight Station

There is an additional charge for picking up from a Container Freight Station. Please note, a DO is also required to be sent over 24 hours in advanced to insure the shipper will release the shipment.

Claims

WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED LOSS AND/ OR DAMAGE?

In order for a loss and/ or damage claim to be considered for recovery under the applicable Policy of Insurance, the following must be present:

The nature of the damage/ loss must be physical:
- Theft, non-delivery, rough handling and exposure to moisture are examples of physical damage/ loss.
- Loss of Market of Delay during transport are not physical losses.

Damage/ loss must be external:
- Damage/ loss caused by an inherent vice of the cargo would not come under the scope of a typical cargo policy. Internally caused loss usually involves food stuffs which over-ripen or go bad due to their nature rather than an external cause.

Non-Delivery/ Shortage of Goods:
- Promptly notify all concerned parties that the goods have not been received and request that the goods be traced.
  - If approved, our policy states that the material must be lost/missing for 180 days before the insurance will issue a refund.

Concealed Damage:

- When loss or damage is not discovered until the shipment has been completely unpacked or opened, a written claim must be filed against the carrier for loss or damage within strict time limits. This notification must be within 5 days from the date of delivery of the shipment. By failing to do so, the carrier is effectively relieved of liability for the damage or loss.

**For concealed carrier claims, carriers are not required to pay for concealed damage. If denied, we will request for them to at least pay out 1/3rd of the claimed amount.

**For concealed Cargo Cover claims, it is highly suggested that explicit details are provided as to why it was concealed, why the POD was signed clear, etc.

Assess whether a true total damage / loss of product, or is the product repairable?

WHAT TO DO NOTIFIED OF LOSS OR DAMAGE

Prompt Notification of the Loss or Damage

Upon discovery of the loss or damage, you must immediately notify Gold Coast Logistics.

Submit Required Claim Documents and Information

Please include ALL of the following documents, including, but not limited to:

- Detailed claim statement
- Pre-loading Photos (if none are available, please note “no pre-loading photos available”)
- Photographs of any damaged items (including packaging materials and packaging techniques used). We must have pictures of the whole item, plus close-up pictures of any damaged regions on the item.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Evidence of Insurance
- Repair Statement
  - If not available for repair, a statement of non-repairability on company letterhead or by a 3rd party (3rd party must also be on their letterhead)
- Salvage/Scrapping value
- Replacement part / material information. Replacement invoice and replacement PRO/BOL
- Other
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