"DIM" weight hits sour note with shippers: strategies for controlling costs as FedEx, UPS, and DHL recalibrate their shipping rates.SHIPPERS WANTING to determine package costs in the future will probably wish they had paid better attention in high school geometry class. Many carriers including FedEx, UPS, and DHL DHL abbr. 1. Doctor of Hebrew Letters 2. Doctor of Hebrew Literature are beginning to use dimensional weight Dimensional weight, used in shipping and freight, is a billing technique which takes into account the volume of a package. Significance Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds. (aka "DIM" weight) to calculate shipping costs on air and ground shipments. DIM weight is not a new concept. Air express carriers have used DIM weight for years to determine the cost of shipping a package of lighter weight but larger size. DIM weight forces shippers to pay the price for packages that would take up extra space on airplanes. Now size will also matter for ground shipments, creating a very "DIM" outlook for some music retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. Size Matters Effective in the first quarter of 2007, UPS, FedEx Ground FedEx Ground is a shipping company headquartered in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Originally a small regional package shipping company called Roadway Package System (RPS), it was created to be a discount competitor to UPS. , and DHL began calculating ground shipping charges for larger-sized packages based on dimensional weight and discontinued dis·con·tin·ue v. dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing, dis·con·tin·ues v.tr. 1. To stop doing or providing (something); end or abandon: using oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. package definitions (OS1, OS2, and OS3), a tiered system in which pricing took into account the package's weight, length, and girth GIRTH., A girth or yard is a measure of length. The word is of Saxon origin, taken from the circumference of the human body. Girth is contracted from girdeth, and signifies as much as girdle. See Ell. . Music retailers, manufacturers, and distributors that ship oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. packages measuring 5,184 cubic inches Noun 1. cubic inch - the volume equal to a cube one inch on each side cu in capacity measure, capacity unit, cubage unit, cubature unit, cubic content unit, cubic measure, displacement unit, volume unit - a unit of measurement of volume or capacity (three cubic feet) or greater must prepare for fluctuating fluc·tu·ate v. fluc·tu·at·ed, fluc·tu·at·ing, fluc·tu·ates v.intr. 1. To vary irregularly. See Synonyms at swing. 2. To rise and fall in or as if in waves; undulate. v. shipping charges now that DIM rates are in effect for ground shipments. Back to that high school geometry class. We didn't pay much attention, either, but we're here to help. To calculate the dimensional weight of a package, multiply the length x width x height to determine the cubic size of the package. Then divide this number by 194 for shipments within the U.S., or 166 for international shipments. The resulting figure is the dimensional weight of the package. Your package's billable weight is either the actual or dimensional weight of the package--whichever is greater. If a package measures 5,184 cubic inches (three cubic feet) or greater, the dimensional weight rate will apply. The accompanying chart compares the old oversize rates to the new dimensional rates and helps illustrate how the new dimensional rates will fluctuate based on the package dimensions, zone, and actual weight versus dimensional weight. What This Means While charges for shipping guitars and drums will likely increase, the shipping costs for some products may remain the same or slightly decrease depending on the size of the package. To complicate com·pli·cate tr. & intr.v. com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing, com·pli·cates 1. To make or become complex or perplexing. 2. To twist or become twisted together. adj. 1. the whole dimensional weight rate issue, carriers will also apply an additional oversize charge of $40 dollars for packages measuring greater than 130 inches in length and girth. Before you ship, be sure to get out your calculator calculator or calculating machine, device for performing numerical computations; it may be mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic. The electronic computer is also a calculator but performs other functions as well. to determine the DIM weight rate, consider how packaging items together or separately may affect your package dimensions, or even consider shipping with an LTL LTL - Linear Temporal Logic (less-than-truckload) carrier such as Yellow Transportation or UPS freight UPS Freight (NASDAQ: UPS) is the Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) division of UPS. Formed on August 5, 2005, after the acquisition of Overnite Transportation Company. UPS purchased Overnite Transportation for a price of $1.25 billion dollars. . For example, one NAMM NAMM International Music Products Association NAMM National Association of Music Merchants NAMM National Association of Music Manufacturers NAMM National Association of Mirror Manufacturers retailer determined that under the old oversize definitions it was cheaper to send two guitars at once, as opposed to one at a time. Now, under DIM weight, the same holds true, as the chart on page 156 illustrates. How NAMM Can Help The NAMM Discount Shipping Program, managed by PartnerShip, was started in 1999 to help NAMM members Length x Width x Height / 194 = Dimensional Weight save on their shipping expenses. The program discounts continue to help small to medium-sized businesses save on their small package, express, and LTL shipping on an annual basis. NAMM members will save up to 20% on small package ground services. Many packages that weigh less than 30 lbs. will now weigh greater than 30 lbs. under the DIM weight system. Members will save 20% when shipping these packages. The discounts are vital to help counter the annual carrier rate increases, allowing members to recoup recoup To sell an asset at a price sufficient to recover the original outlay or to offset a previous loss. at least a portion of their shipping dollar that would otherwise be lost. Online retailers can also benefit by taking advantage of the residential delivery discounts available through the NAMM Discount Shipping Program and save up to 10% on all packages shipped directly to the customer's home. PartnerShip offers NAMM members its specialized spe·cial·ize v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es v.intr. 1. To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study. 2. service, helping them understand the complexity of shipping rates and accessorial ac·ces·so·ry n. pl. ac·ces·so·ries 1. a. A subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct. b. Something nonessential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result. See Synonyms at appendage. charges, and it will consult with members to help them get the most for their shipping dollar. Call PartnerShip at (800) 599-2902 to speak with a shipping logistics professional for expert advice, or visit www.PartnerShip.com/18NAMM for more information on the NAMM Discount Shipping Program. Enroll online and enter 2102 in the promo pro·mo n. pl. pro·mos Informal A promotional presentation, such as a television spot, radio announcement, or personal appearance. code field.
2007 FedEx Ground Dimensional And Oversize Rate Comparison
Oversize
Dimensions Actual Oversize NAMM Rate
Description (LxWxH) Weight Zone Definition (2007)
Keyboard 19x41x8 20 3 OS 1 $8.75
Keyboard 19x41x8 20 4 OS 1 $9.60
Drums 24x20x24 60 4 OS 2 $14.23
Speaker 2000x19 75 4 OS 2 $17.87
Amps 26x21x13 50 4 OS 1 $12.76
Speakers 24x20x18 52 5 OS 1 $16.02
Speakers 24x20x18 52 7 OS 1 $25.10
1 Guitar 47x19x8.5 17 3 0S 1 $7.57
Drums 24x24x20 50 6 OS 2 $19.58
1 Guitar 47x19x8.5 17 5 OS 1 $11.30
Guitar 20x8x5O 15 4 0S 1 $9.60
Speakers 36x24x24 80 8 OS 3 $79.10
Speakers 36x24x24 80 6 OS 3 $72.14
Drums 28x28x28 70 6 OS 3 $72.14
2 Guitars 47x19x17 29 5 OS 2 $15.57
Dimensional Dimensional NAMM
Weight NAMM Rate Member $ Change
Description (LxWxH)/194 (2007) Discount 2007
Keyboard 32 $8.10 20% $(0.64)
Keyboard 32 $8.99 20% $(0.61)
Drums 59 $14.23 20% $0-
Speaker 59 $17.87 20% $0-
Amps 37 $12.76 20% $0-
Speakers 45 $16.02 20% $0-
Speakers 45 $25.10 20% $0-
1 Guitar 39 $7.80 20% $0.23
Drums 59 $21.68 20% $2.10
1 Guitar 39 $12.59 20% $1.29
Guitar 41 $11.01 20% $1.41
Speakers 107 $91.92 10% $12.83
Speakers 107 $84.07 10% $11.94
Drums 113 $86.85 10% $14.71
2 Guitars 78 $22.63 20% $7.06
% Change
Description 2007
Keyboard -7%
Keyboard -6%
Drums 0%
Speaker 0%
Amps 0%
Speakers 0%
Speakers 0%
1 Guitar 3%
Drums 11
1 Guitar 11
Guitar 15%
Speakers 16%
Speakers 17%
Drums 20%
2 Guitars 45%
Note that all rates exclude fuel surcharges & accessorial charges,
and were calculated using 2007 NAMM discounts
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