Abstract: A system for establishing shipping charges, particularly for the trucking industry, interstate commerce. A matrix, based on zip code prefixes, or zip zones, is established to cover a shipping area. A first axis of the matrix is designated as source zones, while the other axis is designated as destination zones. A scale number is attributed to each pair of source and destination zones within the matrix. Each scale number has an associated base rate number, this base rate number being modified by a rate factor number dependent upon the nature of the cargo being shipped. The total shipping cost is determined by multiplying the base rate number by the rate factor number and then multiplying that product by the total weight of the cargo.