Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Top Links 4
10
11
OF Cross-Border Links
13
18
Appendix 24
And we found 115 of them. We’re thinking of them as 115 smart-cuts for
shippers.
This book of links offers a treasure trove of free resources and tools to help
you better manage your freight.
It’s a categorized list of 115 websites that includes load boards, industry trends,
media outlets, cross border shipping resources, traffic, weather, trade show
links… and more.
We guarantee they will make you a more informed and more efficient shipper.
Click away!
Simply put… if you use the intel from these sites daily, you’ll be able to
increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your shipping operation.
DATs weekly trendline shows exactly what’s happening with rates and volume across modes and
geography in North America.
This is the definitive source if you want to understand North American freight volume. Cass
updates its trend report monthly
Get market data from SONAR that measures the weekly negotiating power for rates between
shippers and carriers.
4. Top Media:
The trifecta of freight media. Follow these three and you’ll know what’s breaking news.
Get real time updates and links to traffic and road information across North America.
6. Weather: TOP
The most accurate weather forecasting for anywhere in North America. Use these links to receive
alerts for hazardous weather warnings.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) keeps track of weekly diesel fuel prices so you
don’t have to. Use this tool to plan your budget and understand trends.
These boards display current wait times for commercial vehicles crossing U.S. borders. Factoring
in border wait times and other delays will help you get a more accurate freight quote.
This Facebook group is one of the largest online forums for carriers. It’s a candid look at what’s
happening on the ground with drivers as they exchange tips and tricks of thriving and surviving on
the road. Top Load Board Link | DAT
Seasoned shippers know having the right tools is the difference between a
flawless shipment and a freight fail. With boundless resources available online
today, there are a variety of digital resources to choose from. Consider this list of
links the pro shipper’s utility belt.
Identify the U.S. or Canadian location of an area code with this link. You can view area codes by state
and province, or type in an area code to perform a reverse lookup.
2. Cargo Insurance
THE FREIGHT Always double check your coverage for the amount and value of your freight. Shippers who ignore the
importance of insurance often suffer when freight is lost or damaged.
TOOLBOX LINKS
3. Carrier411
This service takes the hassle out of carrier monitoring. It tracks changes in carrier safety ratings,
BASIC scores, CARB compliance, insurance and other important qualifiers.
This is a definitive source if you want to understand North American freight volume and spend. It
combines info from all U.S. deliveries to give you an accurate view of monthly freight.
5. DAT Trendlines
Get industry trends at a glance for the past week, month and year across all truck types. Easily view
load-to-truck, spot rates and fuel price changes.
Freight class is determined by four factors: density, stowability, handling and liability. With this
calculator, you can quickly calculate what class your freight falls into.
This glossary includes clear definitions for some of the more tricky phrases and terms in THE FREIGHT
TOOLBOX LINKS
transportation. Reference this link when setting up an unfamiliar shipment.
8. Gas Surcharge
U.S. or Canada
Use these links to see present and historical fuel surcharges. The numbers on this site are updated
weekly, so you can estimate your spend and plan accurately.
Get market data from SONAR that measures the weekly negotiating power for rates between
shippers and carriers.
We all know there are road restrictions for certain load sizes and weights. These handy maps help you
route around these roadblocks and avoid potential delays.
Use this calculator to easily find the mileage and drive time between two or more locations. Plan
potential shipping routes and gauge cost per mile.
When calculating shipping prices, you need the actual weight and the volumetric - or dimensional -
weight comparison. This online calculator is the fastest way to that number.
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is arguably the most vital document when moving freight. This free form from
PDFfiller.com is your shortcut for creating a BOL fast.
N Calculators - Volumetric Weight Calculator
Avoid damaging goods on pallets with the help of this infographic. It’s an easy way to confirm
you’ve packed, palletized, and shrink-wrapped your freight correctly.
This nifty tool is the place to find over 47,000 airport codes, abbreviations, runway lengths and
other airport information for your shipments and tracking.
View current time in pickup and delivery locations with this world clock. It gives you an
accurate time for any location and allows users to customize lists of time zones for easy
reference.
World Port Source shows you satellite images, maps and contact information for 4,936 ports in
196 countries around the world. It’s a go-to reference for intermodal shipping.
For converting weight, we recommend this simple World Wide Metric calculator. You’ll see
conversions for metric tons, kilograms, pounds, ounces and grams.
If you need a fast way to convert currency amounts, look no further than the XE Currency Converter
tool. Just plug in the original currency info and then choose the conversion type.
Google Maps is the king of point-to-point navigation, distance tracking and navigation. It’s easy to use and
a great tool for getting a better grasp of potential slowdowns.
A closed road can throw everything off. That’s why we recommend bookmarking this little gem from the
Federal Highway Administration (FHA). It will show you road closures by state and city.
This resource from the Ministry of Transportation has up-to-date information on road conditions
throughout each province.
TRAFFIC&
WEATHER LINKS
23. The National Weather Service
The National Weather Service provides the most accurate weather forecasting for anywhere in the United
States. Use it to get alerts for hazardous weather warnings, too.
24. Sigalert
See a live traffic map of any area in the U.S. using this online tool. Check current speeds on specific roads Traffic and weather happens.
and see live photos of traffic conditions.
25. Government of Canada Weather Service Here are the best online tools to plan around Mother Nature and rush hour
gridlocks. Use these links to ensure your shipments arrive on time.
The national weather service for Canada provides current conditions, public alerts, radar, satellite and jet
stream information for all provinces.
For global shipments, this website is your best bet for understanding what precipitation you’ll face along a
route. It’s highly reliable information with radar thrown in.
This helpful map from AccuWeather will show all available weather reports along a route of your choice so
you can determine the potential for slowdown or unfavorable conditions.
This government agency provides a current database about transportation regulations. The
agency’s research, standards and rules are meant to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities
involving large trucks.
Top U.S. Shipping Link | Weekly Diesel Fuel Prices
29. National Transportation Safety Board
32. The Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law
An agency of the U.S. federal government, the NTSB is responsible for researching and reporting
about transportation accidents and assisting victims. Check this resource regularly to stay Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) are different than any other kind of freight. These dangerous goods need
updated about transportation safety protocols and regulations. to be handled with care, and this law covers the exact details of how it should be done.
30. U.S. Census Bureau - Schedule B Export Code 33. Weekly Diesel Fuel Prices
Exporting goods outside of the U.S.? Make yourself familiar with the Schedule B 10-digit The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) keeps track of weekly diesel fuel prices so you don’t
international export code. The U.S. Census Bureau requires it and uses it to track the amount of have to. Use this tool to plan your budget and understand trends.
trade goods exported from the United States.
34. Whitepages
31. USPS
This resource is the most reliable for any directory assistance needs in the United States. You can find
The USPS website hosts a reliable U.S. postal code lookup tool. Enter an address to find a postal the contact information for people and businesses, and complete reverse lookups.
code, enter a city and state to see all postal codes for that area, or enter a zip code to see the
area it covers.
THE BIG BOOK OF SHIPPER'S LINKS 10
CANADA
35. Transport Canada
As the department inside the Canadian government responsible for developing regulations, policies and
services for transportation, Transport Canada is your go-to resource for Canadian shipping rules and
SHIPPING
regulations.
The Government of Canada has established this site to provide information and rules about transporting
dangerous goods. This is comparable to HAZMAT regulations in the United States.
Comparable to the U.S. Whitepages, The 411 allows you to quickly find the contact information for a person
LINKS
or a business in Canada. You can also use it to do a reverse lookup.
Top Canada Shipping Link | Transport Canada
Use this free tool to search for a postal code. You can also do a reverse lookup if needed.
CROSS-BORDER
Canada to U.S. | U.S. to Canada
These lifesavers display current wait times for commercial vehicles crossing U.S. borders. Factoring in
border wait times and other delays will help you get a more accurate freight quote.
LINKS
40. Canada Customs Invoice
You’re going to need to fill out this Canada customs invoice accurately and completely when bringing
freight across the border from the United States. It’s a requirement.
At customs, the U.S. & Canadian governments require a commercial invoice to determine the value of
goods being shipped. Not sure how to fill one out? Check out this sample with detailed instructions.
Shipping goods into Mexico has become tricky thanks to recent tariff changes. This guide covers both
common and uncommon aspects of moving goods south of the U.S. border.
U.S. to Canada
45. 123Loadboard
46. DAT
51. Freightfinder
52. LoadLink
54. Truckstop
55. Trulos
NITL
LINKS 56. NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America)
The NCBFAA represents nearly 1,000 members including freight forwarders, customs brokers,
and air cargo agents. Its website features a comprehensive library of documents and reports
applicable to the transportation industry.
The NITL has one of the strongest legislative presences of any transportation trade association.
It offers its members legal counsel, shippers interest advocacy, and access to its network of
members.
Having to deal with returned goods is tough and returning them to the manufacturer can be
even tougher. The RLA is the expert source for sending freight back. It’s created forums, guides,
articles, and events to help you better understand this tricky part of logistics.
The CIFFA focuses on delivering excellence through education and provides online courses
covering dangerous goods, freight forwarding, and other transportation topics. These courses
make CIFFA an incredible educational resource for anyone in shipping or freight forwarding.
The ATA is dedicated to developing innovative policies that promote and advance the trucking
industry. What’s happening in the trucking industry directly affects capacity and pricing. The ATA
is a great association for shippers to stay up-to-date with the carrier world.
CMCMP is dedicated to advance supply chain professionals through peer networking, leadership
training and career development. From roundtables and online courses to events and an excellent
research knowledge base… they cover all things supply chain.
63. FSA (Food Shippers of America) 65. IANA (Intermodal Association of North America)
If you work in the transportation of food… this is your go-to association. The FSA represents Calling out anyone who ships intermodal freight… this is association has your name all over it. Membership has its
some of the largest world-wide food shippers. It’s primary goal is to help its members build perks. It promotes continued industry education, forums for peer discussions, and numerous annual networking
partnerships with suppliers, customers, and carriers. event… all at a discounted rate.
The CPMA members are responsible for 90% of Canada’s fresh fruit and vegetable sales. Membership gives
you a suite of benefits ranging from exclusive premium content to preferred pricing on all CPMA products,
services and events.
Keeping up with the EPA means keeping up with environmental regulations and enforcements… a must
for shippers. While they don’t have a membership program, they are always activating mutually beneficial
partnerships with businesses to make greener choices.
BiTA is dedicated to driving the adoption of emerging technology forward among the freight industry. They
fulfill this mission by educating its members on industry standards, blockchain applications/ solutions and
encouraging the early adoption of other advancements.
The world of supply chain management never stops advancing, so neither should supply chain professionals
or their organizations. That’s why ASMC exists. It’s a great resource for continued education, certifications
and industry events.
This premier event gathers reverse logistics experts to learn strategies for improving brand reputation,
customer satisfaction, and asset recovery.
The Multimodal Supply Chain Expo where leaders of major freight modes connect to discuss the future of
transportation. Topics include global trade, technology and more.
An exclusive event for shippers and receivers who work in the food space, this is a go-to conference for
those who solely want to focus on networking with peers.
RILA brings together retail supply chain executives looking to maximize every-day efficiencies and
increase ROI
TPM is a conference that brings together global container shipping and logistics professionals. The event
is dedicated to discussing the latest market forecasts, analysis and expert opinions.
The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) attracts thousands of warehouse logistics
leaders every year. Sessions focus on helping attendees develop modern strategies they can practically
measure and assess.
Retail Supply Chain USA covers all things supply chain. Topics range from keeping up with the ever-
changing consumer buying environment to powering your supply chain with real-time analytics.
78. WERC
WERC hosts a variety of conference exclusively for logistics and warehousing professionals. The events
Trade Link | American Supply Chain Summit are dedicated to helping shippers find practical warehousing solutions for everyday challenges.
The American Supply Chain Summit is a leadership meeting for supply chain and procurement
professionals who are looking to improve their operations. Event topics include workforce management,
advanced analytics, process improvement and automation.
Created for chief supply chain officers and their leadership teams, Garter Supply Chain
Symposium/Xpo covers all industry disruption. From economic and geopolitical to
environmental and social, this conference is leaving no stone unturned.
Canada's largest event, the CPMA Convention + Trade Show, is dedicated to the fruit and
vegetable industry. Attracting over 4,000 attendees, the event covers all segments of the
produce supply chain.
RUETERS Supply Chain Events provides 3PL & supply chain executives the opportunity to
TRADE SHOW
connect and build partnerships. Topics include 3PL/shipping partnerships, tariffs and trade
wars, last mile delivery, and supply chain visibility.
JOC hosts a variety of events throughout the year covering topics such as Mexico and
Canadian trade to container trade and inland distribution.
TRADE SHOW From content, technology, and innovation across blockchain, AI, 5G, transportation and
logistics… come to CSMP's eventsready to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
The Global Cold Chain Alliance hosts a wide range of event that bring together thousands of
decision-makers and innovators who are involved in the distribution of perishable products.
87. LogiChem
LogiChem is the only executive-level event specifically tailored for supply chain, logistics and
transportation management professionals in the chemical manufacturing sector.
This conference serves shippers and transportation providers who move goods within North
America and from North American ports to inland destinations.
PUBLICATION
industry with breaking news, industry trends and new
developments. Here’s the links that keep you in the know.
FreightWaves provides its readers with real-time analysis and commentary about the effects of weather, Covering a wide variety of business topics for international readers, this publication offers comprehensive
economic activity, technology and regulation changes in freight markets. coverage of news and logistics issues.
Boasting a three-decade resume as a transportation industry information provider and claiming to have This website specializes in information and updates for Canadian-based shippers and those who are
coined the term 3PL, Inbound Logistics is one of the leaders in supply chain and logistics management. focused on cross-border shipping into Canada.
Transport Topics offers authoritative lists about top vendors and service providers in the industry including The Journal of Commerce is an authoritative source about processes, standards and news related to
for-hire carriers, private carriers, logistics companies and freight carriers. trucking, ports, logistics, rail and technology.
CCJ Magazine writes about fleet management topics including technology, freight, logistics and equipment. This journal is a peer-reviewed, open access publication. It takes an academic perspective on logistics and
It also provides an annual ranking of top U.S. trucking companies. supply chain management with high-level research and analysis.
As its name implies, this publication is focused on everything logistics: 3PL, freight, technology and The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) lobbies and advocates for the trucking industry in
warehouse management. government. In addition, members receive educational resources including webinars, courses, and meetings
to update them about changes in legislation.
98. Overdrive
103. Today’s Trucking
In Overdrive, you’ll read timely updates about new truck info, gear reviews, industry news, and business and
regulation news. It also provides a Daily Fuel Report and Fuel Surcharge Index. This publication caters to the trucking industry in Canada. It specializes in reviews of trucking products and
commentary on industry trends, as well as hot news topics.
99. Supply Chain Brain
104. The Trucker
Supply Chain Brain prides itself on providing complete coverage of supply chain management industry
emerging trends, strategies, best practices and innovation. This trucking news website includes updates about the transportation industry, a library of news-style
videos, and a job board.
100. Supply Chain Dive
105. Truckers News
This website gives readers a birds-eye-view of the supply chain industry. It analyzes top industry stories to
write analytical feature articles. It also offers info about events and jobs. This is another resource for your arsenal of trucking news and commentary. Differentiators include sections
for female truckers, health tips and entertaining non-industry news stories.
101. Supply Chain Management Review
Modeled after the Harvard Business Review, SCMR publishes articles that cover sourcing and procurement,
technology, transportation, logistics, supply chain and case studies.
106. A Truckload, Trucking, Logistics, Supply Chain, 3PL Distribution Group 111. Logistics Consulting
Join this group to be a part of ongoing conversations and Q&A sessions about trucking, 3PL, distribution This networking group’s goal is to share and listen to other industry professionals in order to build a more
and other supply chain topics. efficient logistics supply chain and to reduce the total logistics costs for everyone.
107. CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals 112. Logistics Network
The mission of the CSCMP is to connect, develop, and educate the world’s logistics and supply chain Join this networking group to understand the trends, changes, and concerns of others working in logistics
management professionals. and how they’re handling them.
108. Freight & Logistics Professionals 113. Rate per Mile Masters
This is one of the definitive networking groups you can join to share ideas and have conversations with This Facebook group is one of the largest forums for carriers. You can see real conversations between
others in the logistics and freight industry. actual drivers to find out about the market in different areas of the country.
109. The Logistics & Supply Chain Networking Group 114. The Logistics of Logistics
For supply chain and logistics topics, this networking group will keep you in the know. It’s a go-to resource This networking group is a place where logistics, transportation and supply chain professionals can learn
for understanding what executives in the industry are concerned about. from each other in order to drive more efficiency for their businesses.
110. Logistics and Supply Chain Professionals 115. Supply Chain Management Group (SCMG)
The publishers of Supply Chain Dive established this networking group. These group discussions center This networking group invites you to join If you’re involved in supply chain operations and the software
around shipping, logistics, technology and regulations. and ERPs that go along with it. THE BIG BOOK OF SHIPPER'S LINKS 23
World Airport Codes world-airport-codes.com
Your shortcut to the complete list of 100 links for shippers. XE Currency Converter xe.com
State by State
Government of Canada Weather Service weather.gc.ca U.S. Commercial Invoice Instructions export.gov
Weather Along Route accuweather.com Trade & Related Agreement Database tcc.export.gov
SHIPPING IN CANADA
Canada 411 canada411.ca
USPS tools.ups.com
Whitepages whitepages.com
NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers & Forwarders ncbfaa.org Canadian Shipper canadianshipper.com
Association of America)
Commercial Carrier Journal ccjdigital.com
CIFFA (Canadian International Freight Forwarding ciffa.com
Association) FreightWaves freightwaves.com
ISM (Institute for Supply Management) instituteforsupplychainmanagement.com Supply Chain Dive supplychaindive.com
IANA (Intermodal Association of North America) intermodal.org TIA Logistics Weekly tianet.com
ASMC (Association for Supply Chain Management) apics.org Truckers News truckersnews.com
The Logistics & Supply Chain Networking Group linkedin.com/groups/54591 JOC Events joc.com/events
TRADESHOWS
NIT League Transportation Summit nitl.org
TPM joc-tmp.com