货物分级Freight-classification.docx

货物分级Freight classification
Freight classification values relate to the handling characteristics of freight and are one of the factors determining freight charges. 货物分级值与货物的搬运特征有关，它是确定货运费用的一个因素。
Such classifications are taken as given in contract negotiations between shippers and carriers. Rate classification bureaus are made up of carrier representatives and enjoy immunity （[i5mju:niti]常与from连用: 免除，豁免） from antitrust prosecution [7prCsi5kju:FEn] 检举, 起诉.
Transportation managers appear before the bureaus in attempts to have the classification of specific commodities or movements lowered. Shippers must also combat the carriers’ attempts to increase classification numbers. A typical issue was the classification of flashlights.
When contract carrier rate and service negotiations are being considered, both rates and service are brought to the table for negotiation. 当契约承运人处理运费和服务谈判问题时，费率和服务两者均是谈判要涉及的内容。
3.1. JIT practices
Just-in-time, JIT practices have both reduced transit times and improved the performance of on-time deliveries. JIT进货制既缩短了转运时间，又提高了及时递送的水平。
3.2. Articles and checklists to help in the shipper-carrier negotiation process 有利于缩短承运人和托运人的谈判进程的条款与清单
(1) Contract duration
(2) Contract termination
(3) Renegotiation and reopening of contract
(4) Transportation service level
(5) Carrier insurance
(6) Lead times
(7) Waiver of terms
(8) Detention time
(9) Articles and commodities covered
(10) How loss and damage claims are handled
(11) Scheduled of rates and charges
(12) Estimated transportation volume
(13) Billing procedures
(14) Carrier equipment and drivers
(15) Carrier notification requirements
(16) Confidential contract
(17) Arbitration
(18) Audit rights
(19) Pallet loading
(20) Proof of delivery
(21) Adjustments to rates
(22) Basis for charges
3.3. The top criteria for selecting carriers, in descending order
(1) On-time delivery
(2) Cost
(3) Safety
(4) Tracking / communications
(5) Reliability
(6) Reputation
(7) Claims
(8) Service range
(9) Carrier’s financial stability
(10) Quality of operating personnel
(11) Backhauling capability
(12) Equipment availability
Following is an example of a food processor contracting for air freight. After consultation, the following specifications for air freight carriers were drawn up:
(1) Service available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
(2) Carrier service and service representatives at cities where the firm had offices
(3) Deferred service option (i.e., lower rates for less urgent shipments—second, third, and fourth-morning delivery)
(4) Door-to-door rates
(5) Non-dimensional rates (some of the firm’s advertising was oversized)
(6) Loss and damage liability of $9.07 per pound
(7) Temperature-controlled cargo space
(8) Tracing services
(9) Proof-of-delivery service
(10) Computer-reporting process
(11) EDI capability
(12) End-of-month reports concerning the firm’s traffic patterns
The requirements were mailed out along with a volume history of the firm’s air shipments, a questionnaire intended to determine the carrier’s strength and weakness, and a request for rate proposals.
After receiving responses, the firm invited seven carriers to make presentation, and two-an-air-express company and a forwarder—were selected. The final issues were service first and price second.
One important change in logistics thinking has been to encourage long-term relationships with suppliers and customers. Contracting with carriers is one way of doing this, although the contracts may be for more than the carriage of products. 物流理念上一个重大变化就是积极发展供应商和客户之间的长期关系。与承运人签约是建立这种长期关系的种途径，虽然这些合同不仅仅涉及产品的运输。

Under deregulation, carriers lost much of their immunity from antitrust laws. 在放松管制的前提下， 承运人失去了源自反垄断法的许多豁免权。As a result, negotiators should take some antitrust considerations into account before negotiations begin. 因此，在谈判正式开始前，谈判各方必须考虑反垄断的问题。
Another agreement with carriers that the transportation department also must negotiate and administer is an average weight agreement. 运输部门必须与承运人谈判和管理的另一个协议就是平均重量协议。This involves agreements as to weights of various items shipped repetitively, so that each individual shipment does not have to be weighed.