Freight Class
Definition
Freight class is a standardized rating system used in US less-than-truckload shipping that groups commodities into 18 classes, from 50 to 500, based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Higher classes cost more to ship per pound.
In Practice
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) assigns each commodity a class that reflects how much trailer space it consumes relative to its weight and how difficult or risky it is to carry. Dense, durable freight like steel fittings rates class 50 to 60; light, bulky, or fragile goods like assembled furniture or ping pong balls rate 150 to 500.
For planners, class drives LTL price more than almost any other input, so getting it right is money. Misdeclaring class invites carrier inspections, reclass fees, and invoice disputes that erode carrier trust. Density-based classes also reward better packaging: compressing product or shipping unassembled can drop an item several classes.
For example, a shipper that redesigns cartons so a product's density rises from 4 to 8 pounds per cubic foot may move from class 125 to class 100, cutting the LTL rate on every shipment.
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Less than truckload shipping combines freight from multiple shippers in one trailer, with each paying only for the space and weight they use. It suits shipments of roughly one to ten pallets that are too big for parcel but too small for a full truck.
Dimensional WeightDimensional weight is a pricing method that converts a package's volume into an equivalent weight using a divisor, so carriers can charge for the space light, bulky shipments occupy. Carriers bill the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight.
Freight RateA freight rate is the price a carrier charges to move a shipment between two points, quoted per container, per truckload, per hundredweight, or per kilogram depending on the mode. Rates vary with distance, capacity, commodity, and market conditions.
Bill of LadingA bill of lading is the legal document issued by a carrier that serves as a receipt for goods, evidence of the transport contract, and in ocean shipping, a document of title to the cargo. It travels with, and controls, the shipment.