What is Freight Class in Trucking?

Almost like solving a very intricate puzzle, moving freight around the world can be complex. If you are shipping goods in the US using Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping, then you must have come across the term “freight class.” Knowing what is freight class helps you obtain estimates, prevent additional charges, and make certain that processes are carried out smoothly. This article seeks to explain everything from the most forward beginner to the veteran when it comes to freight shipping classification.

In the previous article, where we compared LTL and FTL shipping, we mentioned that LTL entails sharing a trailer with other shippers. Because different items share the same truck, LTL carriers needed some method of categorizing the many diverse items being shipped together in order to set a fair price. We at HMD Trucking, while specializing in dependable Dry Van and Flatbed services that are commonly used for Full Truckload (FTL) shipments (which typically do not need freight class), strongly feel that shippers should be educated across the board, and understanding freight class meaning is imperative if you use LTL.

What is Freight Class?

Freight class is a standardized method of cargo classification that was created by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association in the National Motor Freight Classification scheme. This system was specifically designed for Less-Than-Truckload transportation and classifies commodities into 18 numerical classes from the most clean, heavy, and economical to transport – Class 50 – to the lightest and most difficult to transport – Class 500. An item’s freight class is determined based on the consideration of the following four characteristics of its transportability:

• Density: ratio of the item’s weight to the total volume it occupies and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). The more dense is the freight, the lower its class will be.
• Stowability: ability of the cargo to be stowed along with other cargoes due to potential dangerous separation, excessive length or inability to stack.
• Handling: amount of handling necessary during cross-docking process.
• Liability: the financial risk of possible losses due to the item’s ability to be stolen or damaged by temperature, fire, or other items.

So, how is a specific freight class decided? It comes down to looking at the general “transportability” of your freight based on these four main things:

1. Density: This is frequently the primary factor. Density describes the proportion of space your item occupies to its weight (pounds per cubic foot). Usually, the greater the density of your shipment (higher weight relative to space), the lower the freight class. Conversely, bulky yet lightweight shipments will have a higher class. For instance, steel parts might fall under Class 50 or 55, while ping pong balls would be Class 500.
2. Stowability: How difficult would it be to load your freight onto other items being transported by the same vehicle? Some items have characteristics that make them difficult to stow – they might be excessively long or heavy, hazardous (needs to be separated), or cannot have other freight placed on top. Items that are difficult to stow are usually assigned a higher freight class.
3. Handling: How difficult is it to load, unload, and move the freight around? Most cargo gets moved with forklifts without much trouble. But things that are very fragile, hazardous, weirdly shaped, or super heavy might need special care or equipment. Freight needing extra effort usually lands in a higher class.
4. Liability: This considers the risk involved. Is the item likely to be stolen? Is it easily damaged? Could it damage other freight near it? Perishable goods, things that could catch fire, or really valuable items carry higher liability and often get a higher freight class number.

While these four are the main things for determining freight class, sometimes other factors like market conditions or specific carrier rules might play a part too.

How to Calculate Freight Class?

Alright, so as far as freight shipping classification is concerned, the big elephant in the room is density. Because it is so important, let’s go over how you determine the density of your shipment. Do not fret; it only requires a bit of measuring and calculation. Here’s the process you should follow.

1. Measure Your Shipment: Measure each piece’s depth, length, and width after packing it on a pallet or placing it within a crate/box. Ensure you check for any disorganization prior to wrapping the parcel to save yourself from this effort later. Round up any fractions of inches to the next round inch.
2. Calculate The Volume In Cubic Inches: For every piece you measured, calculate the volume by multiplying its length, width, and height (L x W x H). Got more than one piece shipping together? No problem. Take individual measurements and combine each parcel, beginning with the length followed by the width and height.
3. Transforming from Cubic Inches to Feet: Now for the final step, your shipment’s total volume in feet can be measured by utilizing the division of the total volume of the shipment in inches by 1728 since there are 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot.
   • Quick Formula Look: (Total Cubic Inches from Step 2) / 1728 = Total Cubic Feet
4. Weigh the Whole Thing: Time to weigh it. Get the weight of the entire shipment. This includes all pieces, pallets, and any other packing materials. Make sure the scale used is of good quality. Also, if there are multiple parts, remember to add their weights to this total.
5. Calculate Density: To achieve the total density in PCF, divide the weight obtained in Step 4 by the total cubic feet from Step 3. The answer will be total density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF).
   • Quick Formula Look: Total Weight (lbs) / Total Volume (cubic feet) = Density (PCF)

Example calculation for determining freight class. Let's say you have a pallet of goods:

Dimensions (including pallet): 48" x 40" x 50" (L x W x H).

Total weight (including pallet): 600 lbs.

Volume (cubic inches): 48 x 40 x 50 = 96,000 cubic inches.

Volume (cubic feet): 96,000 / 1728 = 55.56 cubic feet.

Density: 600 lbs / 55.56 cubic feet = 10.8 PCF.

Now you can use this density number (10.8 PCF in this case) and check it against a freight classification chart to help figure out the likely freight class.

Freight Classification Chart

Below is a simplified chart showing the typical relationship between density and freight class. Just remember, things like stowability, handling, and liability can still affect the final class given by the NMFTA or the carrier. Density is usually just the main starting point.

Freight Class	Weight Range (Pounds per Cubic Foot - PCF)	Example Commodities (Illustrative)	Cost Indication
50	50 lbs and over	Nuts, bolts, steel rods, dense industrial materials	Lowest
55	35-50 lbs	Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring
60	30-35 lbs	Car parts, heavier packaged beverages
65	22.5-30 lbs	Books, bottled beverages
70	15-22.5 lbs	Automobile engines, heavier food items
77.5	13.5-15 lbs	Tires, bathroom fixtures
85	12-13.5 lbs	Crated machinery, cast iron stoves
92.5	10.5-12 lbs	Computers, monitors, standard refrigerators
100	9-10.5 lbs	Wine cases, canvas boat covers
110	8-9 lbs	Framed artwork, cabinets, table saws
125	7-8 lbs	Small household appliances
150	6-7 lbs	Auto sheet metal parts, assembled bookcases
175	5-6 lbs	Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture
200	4-5 lbs	Aluminum tables, packaged mattresses, aircraft parts
250	3-4 lbs	Plasma TVs, bamboo furniture
300	2-3 lbs	Assembled wood chairs/tables, model boats
400	1-2 lbs	Deer antlers
500	Less than 1 lb	Ping pong balls, bags of feathers (low density/high value)	Highest

Note: This freight classification chart shows the typical relationship between density and freight class. Keep in mind that stowability, handling, liability, and other factors can change the final class designated by the NMFTA or the carrier. As mentioned earlier, density serves as the main reference point.

What Your Business Should Know About Correct Classification?

Knowing the correct class of freight on your bill of lading (BOL) is not a mere straightforward exercise. It is just like giving out an order, and listing it up might seem simple at the outset, but in real business, it has a lot of impacts ranging from how much you will pay to your service provider as well as the efficiency with which things are done. Here are some reasons that highlight the significance of precision:

• Accuracy in Quotes: The freight class heavily influences the rate you're quoted. A wrong class means a wrong quote.
• Avoiding Re-Class Fees: If a carrier inspects your shipment and finds the class on the BOL is wrong, they'll re-classify it. This nearly always means extra charges (re-class fees), often slapped on at a higher, non-discounted rate, which can blow up your final bill.
• Preventing Delays: The whole re-classification process takes extra time and can delay your shipment.
• Carrier Relationships: Constantly giving carriers incorrect info about your shipments can make things awkward and strain your working relationship.

Always remember to fully enclose the shipment and perform the weighing and measuring processes first to eliminate alterations. Math should be checked and calculated, not used, since the right partner uses it to figure out if it yields logic.

Freight Classification Changes on the Horizon

This modernization effort on the part of the NMFTA is aimed at introducing classification standardization in general, initiated by Docket 2025-1 along with its subsequent revisions.

Among the most important features of the initiative are:

• Classification Based on Density Scales: Thousands of individual commodity descriptions are consolidated into standardized density-based classifications with 11 to 13 classification categories. This approach eliminates potential misinterpretations during packaging and minimizes inconsistencies between shippers' and carriers' bills.
• Removal of Artificial Classification Categories: Old product name-based classifications are eliminated in favor of pure PCF-based rating levels.
• Automated Dimensioning and Audit Procedures: Cross-dock operations of LTL carriers utilize static and drive-overhead dimensioning cameras extensively. If the bill of lading is off just a couple of inches from the actual size of the pallets, the automated scale system triggers re-weighing and automatic classification penalties at full base tariff rates without discounts.

Avoiding Mistakes In Freight Class Shipping

If you get the freight class incorrect, the consequence could lead to it being very costly. These alterations can involve disputes over billing, change freight transportation collections, and, in some instances, delay the shipment. Here are some methods to ensure a mistake does not happen:

• Packages should always be weighed and measured accurately.
• Precise notes must be written down on the BOL of every shipment.
• Communicate with your 3PL account or the carrier.
• Ensure packing is as compact as possible.

If you follow the recommendations as listed above, you will be able to minimize the additional costs of shipment while making it more efficient and straightforward.

Work with Experienced Professionals

Navigating complex NMFC density brackets and defending against re-classification adjustments represents a constant administrative burden for high-volume shippers. When freight volume reaches consistent partial or multi-pallet thresholds, moving to dedicated Full Truckload (FTL) capacity eliminates freight class complexities entirely. With FTL transportation, your pricing is based on exclusive trailer utilization and lane mileage – completely bypassing NMFC density scales, dock handling fees, and cross-dock re-weigh penalties. At HMD Trucking, we supply enterprise shippers with company-owned dry van and flatbed capacity, modern Peterbilt 579 equipment, and direct lane transparency. Contact HMD Trucking today to request a custom full truckload quote.