Box Manufacturer (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)
The process of matching the item to the box starts with ensuring the box being used meets the criteria for the item being shipped. “As a shipper, you know your product best,” said Jeff Cooper, interpretations manager at NMFTA. “You know its weight and specifications. You have it in your comput- er. Ensure your box supplier meets the requirements. For example, if you’re a manufacturer that sells food slicing machines, you need a specific box that can handle that weight. Work with the box manufacturer to make sure your box meets the requirement of the commodity.” Once the shipper has confirmed the box is compliant, the next imperative is to ensure the contents comply with the BMC. That’s the best way to ensure the package com- plies with NMFC Item Rule 222, which is often the subject of interpretation requests. According to Franklin, interpretations become much more difficult if she doesn’t have BMC information. “Often shippers furnish a BMC,” Franklin said. “This makes it difficult to verify compliance with Item Rule 222. For packaging interpretation, I review the pack tendered to the carrier, check the minimum packaging requirements for that NMFC item number, and ensure everything aligns with the packaging rules in the NMFC. Each NMFC item has unique requirements, and some include additional packaging notes. I compare details to confirm compliance.
Franklin explained that she has seen boxes packed with 1,000 pounds of steel when they were only rated for 100 pounds—an obvious noncompliant issue. This hap- pens when a shipper doesn’t consult the BMC information, or doesn’t understand why it’s important. In such cases, damage claims are likely to be denied. None of that is nec- essary, though. “Just follow the ratings that are on the box manufactur- er certificate, especially the gross weight,” Franklin said. “If the box is only rated for 65 pounds, don’t try putting 100 pounds in the box.” Simple enough. It’s just a matter of paying attention to the information on the BMC and checking it against the in- formation you have about your item. It can save everyone a lot of trouble, time, and money. If you have additional questions, contact NMFTA’s inter- pretations team at interpretations@nmfta.org.
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November 17, 2025
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