From time to time, the question arises as to a less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier's responsibility for loading or unloading freight. For carriers that participate in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), those responsibilities are clearly spelled out in Item (Rule) 558—Heavy or Bulky Freight–Loading or Unloading. Basically, when freight in a single container or that is secured to pallets, platforms or lift trucks (or any other authorized form of shipment) weighs 110 pounds or less (per package or piece), the carrier will perform both the loading and the unloading.

When the freight (per package or piece) weighs 500 pounds or more, however, the consignor is required to perform the loading and the consignee is required to perform the unloading. If either the consignor or the consignee requests it, the truck driver will assist the consignor or the consignee in the loading or unloading. The same holds true, with certain exceptions mentioned below, if the freight exceeds eight feet in its greatest dimension or exceeds four feet in each of its greatest and intermediate dimensions.

Now, when it comes to freight weighing more than 110 pounds but less than 500 pounds (per package or piece), the driver's responsibility for loading or unloading is contingent on whether the consignor or consignee provides a dock, platform or ramp directly accessible to the carrier's vehicle. If the consignor or consignee does not, the truck driver will, on request, assist the consignor or consignee in loading or unloading.

If, however, the consignor or consignee does provide a dock, platform or ramp directly accessible to the carrier's vehicle, the driver will perform the loading or unloading, subject to the following conditions, on freight weighing more than 110 pounds but less than 500 pounds:

• It exceeds eight feet but does not exceed 22 feet in its greatest dimension and does not exceed two feet at its intermediate dimension, or
• It does not exceed 11 feet in its greatest dimension and does not exceed five feet in its intermediate dimension and does not exceed one foot in its least dimension.

Individual carriers are free to take exception to this rule but rarely do. However, it might be prudent to check out the rules tariffs of individual LTL carriers you use to determine whether any exceptions are published therein.