What does NOI Mean in Shipping

If you are handling freight shipping, it’s crucial to do the paperwork right. The critical step is to classify the shipment properly, but that’s not always an easy task. You browsed through pages of the National Motor Freight Classification, and you are still unsure where to place your shipment.

You might understand things better if you get familiar with the NOI acronym. That’s what we are focusing on in this article. Here’s what you should know about this abbreviation and how it affects your shipment!

You’ll often see this abbreviation as NOI or N.O.I. It means the same in both cases – Not Otherwise Indicated.

This term is a part of the NMFC numbers and classes that determine your shipping costs.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association established the NMFC rulebook to classify shipments. It’s impossible to cover everything that could be sent this way. That’s why the association left a category that serves for all shipments that don’t belong to any other class.

When Should You Use NOI?

It would be best if you were very careful when using the NOI abbreviation for classifying your shipments. The majority of products belong to a particular freight class. You can only use NOI if there’s no suitable class for what you are sending.

Freight carriers usually process and quote these items manually. A big problem, however, is if they have to re-classify your product because it belongs to another class rate. If that happens, you might be subject to additional charges.

Another thing to consider is that “Not Otherwise Indicated’ frequently attracts suspicion from inspection teams. They define NOI as an “unusual” shipment, which is why they are more likely to check it.

Useful Tips for Determining Your NOI Freight Rate

Several factors might affect your shipment’s freight rating, and those include:

• PCF – it stands short for pounds per cubic foot, which signals your freight’s density. You can determine it by calculating the total cubic inches (width x length x height) and then dividing that by 1,728 to get the total cubic feet. Finally, your shipment’s weight divided with the TBC will give you a PCF score.
• Weight – your freight’s Stowability can affect its rating, too. If two items weigh the same, you’ll pay more for the one with higher density.
• Ease of handling and liability – some shippers also consider this when calculating total charges.

What Does NOI Mean and How It Can Help – Final Thoughts

It’s crucial to categorize your shipment correctly before sending it. You don’t want unnecessary charges and other problems to show up later.

If no other option seems eligible, go with “Not Otherwise Indicated” when determining a shipment’s NMFC number.

You shouldn’t rush when confirming NOI is the fitting choice for your freight. Make sure to analyze or other categories and consult an expert if necessary.

Freight shipping companies can assist in finding a suitable class and providing accurate shipment costs, which ensures there are no nasty surprises along the way.