A recent social media post by Kenneth Cassel has drawn attention to persistent challenges within FedEx's Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping services, highlighting a lack of transparency and the potential for unexpected charges. Cassel's tweet, widely shared, detailed a frustrating experience where a seemingly low LTL shipment price escalated significantly due to an unselected "oversized shipping button," despite accurate dimensions being provided. This incident underscores a broader industry issue where customers often grapple with complex pricing structures and the need for intricate knowledge of carrier-specific systems.
"Fedex is the vendor that requires users to know the most about their internal systems to work with. i.e. one small example > fill out all the ltl shipment info, price is surprisingly low > call to confirm > oh this is an oversized shipment, did you click the oversized shipping button? > no but i literally typed in the dimensions of the pallet. you know how big it is > no sir you have to click the (hidden by default) oversized shipping button or the rate we show isnt right," Kenneth Cassel stated in his tweet.
The core of the problem lies in the intricacies of LTL freight classification, governed by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. This system categorizes shipments based on density, stowability, handling, and liability, with incorrect declarations often leading to reweigh and reclassification fees. FedEx Freight recently announced a delay in the full enforcement of new NMFC rules until December 1, 2025, providing shippers additional time to adapt to changes aimed at a more density-based classification.
Carriers implement reweigh and reclassification fees to compensate for discrepancies between declared and actual shipment characteristics. For instance, FedEx Freight's 100-X Rules Tariff guide indicates a $38 fee for reweigh discrepancies exceeding 50 pounds. These charges, often unexpected, contribute to shipper frustration and highlight a common lack of upfront pricing transparency across the LTL industry.
To mitigate these issues, shippers are advised to meticulously weigh and measure their freight, accurately determine its NMFC freight class, and provide comprehensive details on the Bill of Lading (BOL). Industry experts suggest that greater adoption of technology and freight auditing services can help businesses navigate the complexities of LTL pricing, ensuring more predictable costs and a smoother shipping experience.