What Exactly is a Freight Class Code?
Freight class codes are made to help get commonly standardized freight prices for shipment whenever using different carriers, warehouses, and agents. These codes are described by the National Engine Freight Visitors Association (NMFTA) and offered through the NMFC or National Engine Freight Classification.
Freight classes (right now there are 18 of these) derive from weight, length, and elevation, density, simple handling, worth and liability from things such as theft, damage, break-capability and spoilage. Generally, the low the NMFC class quantity, the low the freight charge. Component of FML’s work is to assist you to find out your NMFC freight course, ensuring the specific code is right. This ensures that you will get correct and steady prices for your freight. The next desk describes the NMFC classes and is intended for general assistance in determining the freight class code, numerous factors influence what course your shipment results in.
Factors that Determine Freight Class
A large portion of how much freight costs depends on the freight class. Freight class is determined by a standard called the National Motor Freight Classification, or NMFC for short. This standard lists out the commodities and compares them to a table associated with each freight class. These classes are categorized into 18 different classes, each ranging from 50 to 500. Lower classes have lower rates for a higher rate, where higher classes have higher rates for lower weights.
Stow-Capability
Most freight stows well in trucks, trains, and boats, however, many content articles are regulated by the federal government or carrier guidelines. Some items can’t be loaded together. Dangerous components are transported in particular manners. Excessive weight, size or protrusions could make freight difficult to load with additional freight. The lack of load-bearing areas makes freight difficult to stack. A quantifiable stow-capability classification represents the issue of loading and holding these items.
How freight is stowed by size and density determines the freight class code for it.
Handling
Most freight can be loaded with mechanical tools and poses zero handling difficulties, however, much freight, because of weight, form, fragility or hazardous properties, requires special interest. A classification that represents simplicity or problems of loading and holding the freight is designated to the items.
Liability
Liability is a possibility of freight theft or harm, or harm to adjacent freight. Perishable cargo or cargo susceptible to spontaneous combustion or explosion can be classified predicated on liability and designated a worth per pound, which really is a fraction of the carrier’s liability. When classification is founded on liability, density must be considered.
Below is a table displaying the 18 freight class codes.
Class Name | Cost | Notes, Examples | Weight Range Per Cubic Foot |
Class 50 – Clean Freight | Lowest Cost | Fits on a standard shrink-wrapped 4X4 pallet, very durable | over 50 lbs |
Class 55 |
| Bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring | 35-50 pounds |
Class 60 |
| Car accessories & car parts | 30-35 pounds |
Class 65 |
| Car accessories & car parts, bottled beverages, books in boxes | 22.5-30 pounds |
Class 70 |
| Car accessories & car parts, food items, automobile engines | 15 to 22.5 pounds |
Class 77.5 |
| Tires, bathroom fixtures | 13.5 to 15 pounds |
Class 85 |
| Crated machinery, cast iron stoves | 12-13.5 pounds |
Class 92.5 |
| Computers, monitors, refrigerators | 10.5-12 pounds |
Class 100 |
| boat covers, car covers, canvas, wine cases, caskets | 9-10.5 pounds |
Class 110 |
| cabinets, framed artwork, table saw | 8-9 pounds |
Class 125 |
| Small Household appliances | 7-8 pounds |
Class 150 |
| Auto sheet metal parts, bookcases, | 6-7 pounds |
Class 175 |
| Clothing, couches stuffed furniture | 5-6 pounds |
Class 200 |
| Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, aluminum table, packaged mattresses, | 4-5 pounds |
Class 250 |
| Bamboo furniture, mattress and box spring, plasma TV | 3-4 pounds |
Class 300 |
| wood cabinets, tables, chairs set up, model boats | 2-3 pounds |
Class 400 |
| Deer antlers | 1-2 pounds |
Class 500 – Low Density or High-Value | Highest Cost | Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls | Less than 1 lbs. |
Car parts are classified as Class 60, 65 and 70.
How to Calculate Density for Freight Class Codes
First gauge the height, width, and depth of the shipment. In acquiring these measurements you need to be certain to measure the farthest factors, including pallets or additional product packaging. (On shipments with multiple items, continue doing this step for every piece).
Multiply the three measurements (height x width x depth). The effect is the total cubic ins (or ft) of the shipment. (When you have multiple items, multiply the elevation x width x depth for every piece. Take the outcomes for every piece and add them collectively to find the total cubic ins or feet.) NOTE: in case you are taking measurements in ins, you will have to divide the full total cubic ins by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in cubic feet) to convert the effect to cubic feet.
Finally, divide the weight (in pounds) of the shipment simply by the full total cubic feet. The effect is the pounds per cubic feet, i.e., density. (For multiple pieces, be certain to include the weight of every patch together before dividing by the full total cubic ft of the shipment.
Calculating the freight class code correctly determines how much shippers pay to move their items.
Again, it is crucial as a shipper of freight that you understand freight class. Setting it up wrong can cost you. In the event that you incorrectly classify your item to become shipped it could be reclassified by the freight carrier. Filing a freight claim can be time-consuming and you’ll be billed the difference (generally without a discount). Even if filing a claim may seem easy, having to go through the stress and headache is not worth it.
