The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), developed and maintained by the nonprofit membership organization known as the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), is a classification scheme used for the movement of LTL (less than truckload) shipments in interstate, intrastate, and international commerce. NMFC figures were created to give uniform comparative evaluations of the billions of various items carried in LTL shipments every year. NMFC numbers are required to provide shippers and carriers with a general basis for discussing freight rates and logistics and ensuring effective and efficient LTL shipping. It is because LTL shipping involves various products with varying densities, liabilities, and handling concerns combined in a single shipman.
Freight class codes were made to obtain uniformly standardized freight charges for shipments sent utilizing various carriers, warehouses, and agents.
Freight Classification Codes:
There are now 18 freight classifications, which are determined by factors including:
- Weight
- Length
- Elevation
- Density
- Ease of Handling
- Value
- Liability for things like theft, damage, break-capability, and spoiling.
In general, the freight fee is lower than the NMFC class quantity. Finding your NMFC freight course and ensuring the exact code is correct is part of FML’s job. It guarantees that you will receive accurate and consistent freight prices. The information on the following page covers the NMFC classes and is provided primarily for informational purposes. Many other things can affect the freight class code and the final destination of your package.
The Factors that Determine the Freight Class:
The freight class has a significant impact on how much freight costs. The National Motor Freight Classification, or NMFC for short, is a standard used to define the freight class. The commodities are listed in this standard and are contrasted with a table corresponding to each freight class. Each of these 18 classes, ranging in size from 50 to 500, is of these courses. In contrast to upper classes, which have higher rates for lower weights, lower classes have lower rates for a higher rate.
Stow-Capability:
Most freight travels safely on cars, trains, and boats, but most material is subject to carrier regulations or federal law. The loading of some objects is not permitted. Transport for hazardous materials is done in a certain way. The ability to load freight with more freight may be hampered by excessive weight, bulk, or protrusions. Freight is challenging to stack due to a lack of spaces designed for supporting weight. The problem of loading and holding these things are represented by a stow-capability classification that can be measured.
Handling:
Most freight can be loaded with mechanical tools and has no handling challenges, but many freight needs particular attention due to its weight, shape, fragility, or dangerous qualities. The products are categorized according to how easy or difficult they are to load and hold the freight.
Liability:
Liability includes the risk of cargo theft, damage, or injury to nearby cargo. A higher Freight Class will be assigned to things that are more likely to be stolen, accidentally damaged, or cause harm to other items during transportation. Freight that is perishable or dangerous may potentially include liability issues and expenditures. Density must be taken into account when categorization is based on responsibility.
Density:
The quantifiable amount of space required for a product within a freight shipment to its weight is known as density or pounds per cubic foot. Less dense goods often fall on the upper end of the range, whereas higher density items typically fall in a lower class.
Classes Of Freight:
There are 18 different NMFC classes for LTL freight, with 50 being the lowest and 500 being the most. The classification system will place a lower value on dense, simple-to-handle, and low-liability freight and a higher value on fragile, unusually shaped, or theft- or damage-prone freight. The lower the freight classification, typically, the denser the goods. The NMFTA maintains a list of freight class designations for widely delivered commodities.
| Freight class code | Type of freight | Weight per ft3 |
| 50 | Durable freight that fits on a standard 4′ × 4′ pallet | 50+ lbs. |
| 55 | Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring, construction materials | 35–50 lbs. |
| 60 | Car accessories, car parts | 30–35 lbs. |
| 65 | Car accessories and parts, boxed books, bottled drinks | 22.5–30 lbs. |
| 70 | Car accessories and parts, auto engines, food items | 15–22.5 lbs. |
| 77.5 | Tires, bathroom fixtures | 13.5–15 lbs. |
| 85 | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves | 12–13.5 lbs. |
| 92.5 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators | 10.5–12 lbs. |
| 100 | Car covers, canvas, boat covers, wine cases, caskets | 9–10.5 lbs. |
| 110 | Cabinets, framed art, table saws | 8–9 lbs. |
| 125 | Small home appliances | 7–8 lbs. |
| 150 | Auto sheet metal, bookcases | 6–7 lbs. |
| 175 | Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture | 5–6 lbs. |
| 200 | Sheet metal parts, aluminum tables, packaged mattresses, aircraft parts | 4–5 lbs. |
| 250 | Mattresses and box springs, plasma TVs, bamboo furniture | 3–4 lbs. |
| 300 | Model boats, assembled chairs, tables, wood cabinets | 2–3 lbs. |
| 400 | Deer antlers | 1–2 lbs. |
| 500 | Gold dust, ping pong balls | <1 lb. |
How to do Density Calculation for Freight Class Codes:
To start, measure the shipment’s height, breadth, and depth. Make careful to measure all components, including pallets and supplementary product packaging that are the furthest away while taking these measurements. (Continue performing this procedure for each piece in shipments containing many items.)
Add the three measurements together (height x width x depth). The shipment’s total cubic inches (or feet) has an impact. (If you have more than one item, double the elevation by each item’s width and depth. To get the total cubic inches or feet, sum the results for each component.)
Finally, divide the shipment’s weight (in pounds) by the total number of cubic feet. The density, or pounds per cubic foot, has an impact. (When dividing by the total cubic feet of the cargo, make sure to add the weight of each patch together for several parts.)
An incorrect setup might cost you. The freight carrier may reclassify your goods if you erroneously categorize them for shipping. You will be charged the difference after submitting a freight claim, which might take some time (generally without a discount). Even though making a claim can appear simple, the stress and headache it causes will affect you more than you realize.
Freight Class plays a crucial role in LTL shipment. If you need any extra help, please get in touch with Custom Crating and Logistics.
