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How do I exclude cubic capacity rates in the SmartTMS?

Overview

The EXCLUDE_CUBIC_CAPACITY_RATES system setting helps prevent users from selecting less-than-truckload (LTL) rates that may be subject to Cubic Capacity or Minimum Density pricing adjustments.

Many LTL carriers apply additional charges when a shipment consumes a significant amount of trailer space relative to its weight. Because the AFSmartTMS rating engine (Tempo) cannot calculate these surcharges during the rate shop process, displayed rates may not represent the carrier's final invoiced cost.

When enabled, EXCLUDE_CUBIC_CAPACITY_RATES automatically removes carrier rates that are likely to be affected by Cubic Capacity or Minimum Density pricing, helping users make more informed shipping decisions and reducing unexpected billing adjustments.

 

How It Works

The setting can be configured at either the Account level or the User level within the SmartTMS Admin Portal under System Settings.

Each rule consists of the following components:

    • Carrier (SCAC): The carrier code the rule applies to (for example, SELF, SAIA, or RLCA)
    • Container Type: The handling unit type associated with the rule (for example, Pallets or Crates)
    • Quantity: The minimum number of handling units that will trigger rate exclusion

Rule Format

Rules are entered using the following format:

SCAC~ContainerType~Quantity

 

Multiple rules can be configured by separating them with commas:

SELF~Pallets~8, SAIA~Pallets~6, RLCA~Crates~10

 

Rate Exclusion Logic

When shipment details are entered in either:

    • Shipment Wizard
    • My Quotes

AFSmartTMS evaluates the shipment's handling unit count against any configured exclusion rules.

If the shipment's handling unit count meets or exceeds the configured threshold for a specific carrier and container type, that carrier's rates are automatically excluded from the rate shop results.

This ensures users only see rates that are less likely to incur additional Cubic Capacity or Minimum Density charges after tendering.

 

Example

Configuration

SELF~Pallets~8

 

Shipment Details

    • Carrier: Southeastern Freight Lines (SELF)
    • Container Type: Pallets
    • Quantity: 8 pallets

Result

Because the shipment contains 8 pallets, which meets the configured threshold, Southeastern Freight Lines (SELF) rates will be excluded from the rate shop results.

 

Benefits

    • Reduces exposure to unexpected Cubic Capacity and Minimum Density charges
    • Improves rate-shopping accuracy
    • Helps users select rates that better reflect expected transportation costs
    • Minimizes post-shipment billing disputes and invoice adjustments

 

Additional Notes

    • Rules can be configured for multiple carriers and container types.
    • Exclusions are based solely on the configured carrier, container type, and quantity threshold.
    • A carrier's rates are excluded when the shipment quantity is equal to or greater than the configured threshold value.
    • This setting does not calculate Cubic Capacity or Minimum Density charges; it only prevents potentially impacted rates from being displayed.