Freight How-To Guides for Shippers | Carolina Expressways
How-To Guides

Freight How-To Guides
Written for Shippers, Not Brokers

Step-by-step instructions on claims, freight class, carrier vetting, BOL prep, and compliance — built around the regulations and corridors that actually affect your operation.

9 months Carmack Amendment claim window
Class 50–500 NMFC freight class range
$0.50/lb Default carrier liability (no declared value)

Essential Guides

The processes shippers get wrong most often — and how to do them right.

All How-To Guides

Quick Answers: Freight Process Rules That Apply on I-95, I-85, and the Chicago–Charlotte Corridor

Carmack Amendment claim deadline: 9 months from delivery for loss or visible damage; 15 days for concealed damage under most LTL carrier tariffs. Filing after these windows forfeits recovery rights permanently.
Default carrier liability (LTL, no declared value): $0.50 per pound. On a 2,000-lb LTL shipment worth $20,000, the carrier owes $1,000 at default. Declared value or released-rate pricing closes this gap.
Freight class determination: Calculate density (lbs ÷ cubic feet). Density 35+ = Class 50; density 10–12 = Class 100; density under 1 = Class 500. Density alone doesn't determine class — stowability and handling also apply under NMFC rules.
CSA BASIC thresholds triggering federal intervention: Unsafe Driving BASIC ≥65% (passenger carriers ≥50%), HOS Compliance ≥65%, Vehicle Maintenance ≥80% for non-passenger carriers. Alert status doesn't automatically prohibit operations but signals heightened audit risk.
BOL void conditions on the I-95 corridor: Generic commodity descriptions ("FAK," "general freight," "miscellaneous") invalidate carrier liability on most LTL tariffs between Charlotte, NC and Baltimore, MD. Use NMFC item number or specific commodity name.
Broker authority minimum bond (FMCSA): $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or trust fund since 2013. Verify bond status via FMCSA Licensing & Insurance portal before tendering; authority can be revoked while a shipment is in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a freight claim under the Carmack Amendment?

Under 49 U.S.C. § 14706 (the Carmack Amendment), you have 9 months from the date of delivery — or the date delivery should have occurred for non-delivery claims — to file a written claim with the carrier. This window applies to both loss and visible damage claims.

For concealed damage, most LTL carrier tariffs impose a shorter notice window of 5–15 days from delivery, even though the Carmack statute itself doesn't specify a shorter period for concealed damage. Always check your carrier's tariff for concealed damage rules on your specific lanes.

Carriers must acknowledge claims within 30 days and either pay, decline, or make a counter-offer within 120 days. After 120 days, you may file suit. Suit must be filed within 2 years of the day the carrier declines all or part of the claim.

What is the correct freight class for my shipment, and how do I calculate it?

Freight class is determined by four NMFC factors: density (weight per cubic foot), stowability (can it be stacked?), handling (does it require special equipment or care?), and liability (high theft or damage risk?). Density drives the classification for most standard commodities.

Density formula: Weight (lbs) ÷ [(Length × Width × Height in inches) ÷ 1,728]. A 500-lb pallet measuring 48"×40"×48" has a volume of 53.3 cubic feet and a density of 9.4 lbs/cu ft — landing in Class 100 or 110 depending on stowability.

For manufactured goods on the Chicago–Charlotte or I-95 corridors, common classes are 70 (density 15–22.5), 85 (density 12–15), and 100 (density 9–12). Always use an NMFC item number if your commodity has one — it overrides pure density classification.

What must a Bill of Lading include to be legally valid?

A legally defensible BOL requires at minimum:

  • Shipper name, address, and contact
  • Consignee name, address, and contact
  • Origin and destination city/state/zip
  • Commodity description — specific, not generic ("Automotive Brake Components" not "FAK")
  • NMFC item number or freight class
  • Weight (per piece and total)
  • Number of handling units and packaging type
  • Special instructions: hazmat UN number, temperature requirements, or fragile notation

Missing or vague commodity descriptions are the #1 cause of freight claim denials. Carriers invoke tariff clauses requiring "accurate commodity description" to reduce or eliminate liability when a BOL shows only "FAK" or "general merchandise."

New Guides, Delivered When They're Published

Freight regulations change. Carrier tariffs update. New FMCSA rules take effect. We'll notify you when a guide is updated or when a process change affects your compliance obligations.

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Put the Guides to Work

The right process matters — so does the right carrier. Carolina Expressways runs the corridors covered in these guides.

LTL with Class & Documentation Support

We verify freight class before booking and flag BOL errors before they cause claims. Less reclassification. Fewer invoice surprises.

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FTL — Chicago to Charlotte & I-95

Direct FTL capacity on the corridors we specialize in. Pre-vetted carriers with current CSA BASIC scores and verified insurance on file.

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Claims Assistance

If freight moves through us and something goes wrong, we manage the claim process — documentation gathering, carrier correspondence, and escalation if needed.

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Freight Process Review Call

A 30-minute call to review your BOL templates, freight class assignments, and carrier vetting process. Identify the gaps before a claim or audit does.

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Don't Let a Process Gap Cost You a Claim

Most freight claim denials and reclassification charges trace back to a step that took two minutes to skip. Carolina Expressways handles documentation and vetting so your team can focus on the shipment — not the paperwork.

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