NCC revises policy on density scales
By Ray Bohman -- Logistics Management, 3/1/2000
At its quarterly meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 8, the trucking industry's National Classification Committee (NCC) adopted a significant, shipper-favorable change in its longstanding policy regarding multiple scales of classification ratings based on density (weight per cubic foot). This revised policy covers commodities identified in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) that have a wide range of densities.
For years prior to last November, the NCC's policy only allowed for a standard progression of nine density-based subprovisions and classes on commodities found to have a wide range in densities, as shown below:
SUB Density Group Class
1 Less than 1 lb. per cu. ft. 400
2 1 but less than 2 lbs. per cu. ft. 300
3 2 but less than 4 lbs. per cu. ft. 250
4 4 but less than 6 lbs. per cu. ft. 150
5 6 but less than 8 lbs. per cu. ft. 125
6 8 but less than 10 lbs. per cu. ft. 100
7 10 but less than 12 lbs. per cu. ft. 92.5
8 12 but less than 15 lbs. per cu. ft. 85
9 15 lbs. per cubic foot or greater 70
Never, over the years, would the committee go below Class 70 on any of its multiple density scales, even when densities of 22.5 pounds per cubic foot or greater were found to exist.
Last November, however, in response to the Surface Transportation Board's criticism that the NCC's proposed density scale involving classification ratings on "Cloth, Fabric or Piece Goods" boosted ratings on light-density articles but gave no relief below Class 70 on heavier-density articles, the committee approved an alternative scale. That scale established the following two new density groups and classes:
SUB Density Group Class
10 22.5 lbs. but less than 30 lbs. per cu. ft. 65
11 30 lbs. per cu. ft. or greater 60
At that time, the NCC also passed a motion to have the full committee evaluate the new provisions to determine if it wished to change the standard progression of nine density-based subprovisions at its February meeting. Committee members listed, as an alternative, the new, expanded 11-density scale shown above, with one exception: On densities in the "4 but less than 6 pounds per cubic foot" density group, Class 175 would apply in lieu of the current Class 150.
After discussing this issue at its Feb. 8 meeting and hearing arguments by this writer--who urged continuation of the longstanding Class 150 rating on densities falling in the "4 but less than 6 pounds per cubic foot" range--the committee voted to modify its "Directives, Policies and Guidelines" to add an alternative standard progression of 11 density-based subprovisions "exclusively for products that have a substantial component of their densities in excess of 20 pounds per cubic foot." The NCC standard progression of nine density-based provisions for commodities displaying a wide range in density was not changed, nor were there any amendments to existing items in the NMFC. Class 150 will apply to both scales in the "4 to less than 6 pounds per cubic foot" density groups, as will Rules 170 (Inadvertence) and 171 (the "bumping" provision).
I should note here that the NCC has now approved three expanded density scales, the latest being on "Hardware, NOI." We'll no doubt see more in the future.
Correction
In last month's column on United Parcel Service's Feb. 7 round of general rate increases, I incorrectly reported that UPS Ground Service rates on package weights of 5, 6, and 7 pounds went up by percentages ranging from 5.4 percent to 10.2 percent. These rates rose by approximately 3.1 percent--the same as all other package rates under this service. My apologies for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
Ray Bohman is a well-known consultant and author. Mr. Bohman is editor of several highly successful newsletters on transportation and is a consultant to a number of national trade associations. He is president of The Bohman Group, consultants and publishers in the freight-transportation field. His offices are located at 27 Bay Lane, Chatham, MA 02633. Phone: (508) 945-2272.
View All On-Demand Webcasts