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Trading & Transportation Guide.
Your complete resource for trading rules, transit methods, and logistics essentials. All in one place.
Table of Contents
About the Claims, Collections & Dispute Resolution Team
Trading Guidelines
Transportation Guidelines
Introduction to Trading and Transportation Guidelines
Blue Book’s Trading and Transportation Guidelines represent our ongoing efforts to document the current best practices, customs, and rules applicable to the trading and transportation of fresh produce in North America and beyond.
These Guidelines are also used as a reference by our Claims, Collections, and Dispute Resolution team when assessing trading and transportation disputes and claims placed with Blue Book Services. You will see numerous references to the USDA’s Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and Canada’s Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) throughout the Guidelines, which were shaped with help from all segments of the industry.
We hope you will find this publication useful.
As a Blue Book Member, and a member of the global fresh produce industry, we welcome your feedback at claims@bluebookservices.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Trading and Transportation Guide (TTG)?
TTG is Blue Book’s guide to industry best practices and dispute resolution.
Who should use TTG?
TTG is an essential reference for produce professionals implementing best practices or working to resolve trading or transportation disputes.
Why is TTG important?
TTG provides continuously improving standards for the produce industry supply chain.
Does TTG replace contractual agreements?
No. TTG is not intended to replace contractual agreements. Generally speaking, TTG provides default standards which apply in the absence of a specific agreement to the contrary.
How does TTG support trading decisions?
TTG helps companies assess the strength of their claim before settling transactions.
What transportation issues does TTG address?
Temperature control, late arrival, shifting in transit, shortages, damages, and much more, are covering in TTG.
Does TTG apply to all commodities?
TTG applies, first and foremost, to fresh produce shipments, but is generally applicable to the sale and transportation of other types of goods (perishable and non-perishable) as well.
Does Blue Book use TTG when assessing the merits of collections?
Yes. Our Claims, Collections & Dispute Resolution team assesses claims with reference to TTG and other resources, such as PACA precedent, the Uniform Commercial Code, the common law of common carriage, and the Carmack Amendment where applicable.
How trading and transportation teams succeed with Blue Book
Blue Book gives buyers, sellers, and carriers the clarity they need to trade confidently and move goods smoothly.
ATS Leverages Blue Book’s Solutions to Drive Operational Efficiency and Make Informed Decisions in Produce Transportation
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