Freight Classes

What are Freight Classes?

Different freight classes are designed to help you get common standardized freight pricing for your shipment when working with different carriers, warehouses, and brokers.   Freight classes are defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) and made available through the NMFC or National Motor Freight Classification.

Different freight classes (there are 18 of them) are based on weight, length, and height, density, ease of handling, value and liability from things like theft, damage, break-ability, and spoilage. For the most part, the lower the NMFC class number, the lower the freight charge.

Figuring our right freight classes

Part of our job is to help you figure out your NMFC freight class, ensuring the specialized code is correct. This ensures that you get correct and consistent pricing for your freight.  The following table describes the NMFC classes and is meant for general guidance in picking your freight class, a number of factors influence what class your shipment ends up in.  You should contact Load.Monster Freight Representative to determine an accurate freight class.

Class Name Examples Weight Range Per Cubic Foot
Class 50 Fits standard shrink-wrapped pallet, very durable > 50 lbs
Class 55 Bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring 35-50 lbs
Class 60 Car accessories & car parts 30-35 lbs
Class 65 Car parts, bottled beverages, in boxes 22.5-30 lbs
Class 70 Car parts, food items, automobile engines 15-22.5 lbs
Class 77.5 Tires, bathroom fixtures 13.5-15 lbs
Class 85 Crated machinery, cast iron stoves 12-13.5 lbs
Class 92.5 Computers, monitors, refrigerators 10.5-12 lbs
Class 100 boat covers, car covers, canvas, wine cases, caskets 9-10.5 lbs
Class 110 cabinets, framed artwork, table saw 8-9 lbs
Class 125 Small Household appliances 7-8 lbs
Class 150 Auto sheet metal parts, bookcases 6-7 lbs
Class 175 Clothing, couches stuffed furniture 5-6 lbs
Class 200 Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, aluminum table, packaged mattresses 4-5 lbs
Class 250 Bamboo furniture, mattress and box spring, plasma TV 3-4 lbs
Class 300 wood cabinets, tables, chairs setup, model boats 2-3 lbs
Class 400 Deer antlers 1-2 lbs
Class 500 Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls < 1 lbs

 

Getting the freight class wrong will cost you. If you incorrectly classify your item – it can be reclassified by the freight carrier. Disputing this is difficult, time-consuming  usually and it will cost you money (without discount).

Getting the Right Code

There are several things you can to to get the right NMFC Code:

  1. Contact Load.Monster by Requesting a quote
  2. Contact the manufacturer of your item, most often they will know the NMFC codes for their products
  3. Call the National Motor Freight Traffic Association – NMFTA Contact Page

Do you need to ship freight right now, need an expert to help? Get a freight quote right now.

Freight 101 – Your Freight Q&A