The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of accessorial charges assessed by carriers, was almost flat and increased by 0.06 percent in July.

Average fuel surcharges assessed by carriers increased this month. Fuel was 12.44 percent of base rates in July versus 12.19 percent in June.

"Overall, total freight costs continued to be flat over the past few months. This is a similar pattern to the same period in the previous year, although overall costs are down by 7.7 percent from last July. Year over year, domestic freight costs are above last year's level, while the cross-border segments are below last year's costs," said Doug Payne, president & COO of Nulogx, a transportation management services provider that sponsors the CGFI.

Source: Nulogx