Estimating Load Weight – When shipping LTL you are paying the carrier most likely on a weight based rate (also referred to as a tariff). The rate is determined by the weight, linear feet, standard local pick up, delivery fee, and service requirements; i.e.: lift gate required, strict appointment time, freeze protect. The most important factor is to book the LTL freight with an accurate weight.
- Estimate too high – You’re wasting money (the LTL carrier does not give you a discount if this happens, that goes in their pocket).
- Estimate too low –and of course you’ll pay for the extra weight, but you’ll also likely get hit with an additional fee for “re-weigh” (re-weigh fees are not a cheap correction).
Your estimated total load weight is not just how many cases of beer or combined keg weight, the pallet(s) weight also needs to be included in those calculations.
Pallet weights for estimated load calculations:
- Standard pallet – Approximately 25 lbs.
- Heavy duty pallet – Approximately 50 lbs.
* If you are shipping your goods internationally, some countries require the wood used in pallets or crating to be treated with chemicals or heat to avoid possible pest infestation. For the latest regulations and information on shipping with wood packaging materials, go to www.usda.gov and enter the search words “wood packaging materials.”
Detention Penalty – Since we’re talking about potential penalties to avoid, if you book a truck and they arrive and have to wait to get loaded or unloaded for more than 2 hours, be prepared to be asked to pay a detention penalty fee. Costs ranges from $50 per hour on up.
Shipping Class
Product Class – The next factor in your calculations to determination the cost of shipping.
CLASS or the NMFC code (National Motor Freight Classification) for the product you are shipping is important to know before you book. The Class + the weight, is how the LTL carrier determines the rate and charges you for your shipment. Here are the most common classes or NMFC codes that a brewery will use for shipping full pallets below: (Ensure you enter these correctly on your BOL (Bill Of Lading) for proper billing)
- CLASS 65, NMFC code 111470 – Beer – full product, Cases; glass or cans, Kegs all sizes.
- (HB) CLASS 100, NMFC code 174610-06 – Empty kegs – ship 3 pallets high per stack. 1/2bbl kegs.
- (SB) CLASS 92.5, NMFC code 174610-07 – Empty kegs – ship 3 pallets high per stack. 1/6bbl kegs.
- (QB) CLASS 92.5, NMFC code 174610-07 – Empty kegs – ship 3 pallets high per stack. 1/4bbl kegs.
- CLASS 70, NMFC code 99992 – Hops – Pellets compressed.
- CLASS 100, NMFC code 99992 – Hops – Loose, Flowers, lighter per box.
- CLASS 70, NMFC code 87700-09 – Glass – empty bottles, carboys.