By Joseph McDevitt

Category: Logistics

How do you determine freight class?

NMFC Code Support

Attention, shippers! You’re in luck – you’ve stumbled upon the perfect webpage for all your less than truckload shipping needs. Bookmark this page for quick access whenever you’re dealing with LTL shipments in the future. Here, we’ll guide you through determining your freight class and shipment density in pounds per cubic foot. Plus, we’ve included a link to a FREE shipment density calculator and a handy freight class table.

But wait, there’s more! We’ll walk you through an example to illustrate how we identified a shipment as class 250. If you manage a lot of freight, our Transportation Management System (TMS) at TLI comes with built-in shipping software that can automatically fill in the NMFC codes, freight class, and calculate your shipment’s density.

freight class chart
Shippers are provided an explanation on how to determine the freight class and NMFC Code of their shipment.

LTL Classes

LTL shipments are rated based on NMFC classification guidelines, mainly focusing on the product’s density, measured in pounds per cubic foot. Knowing your product’s dimensions is vital for estimating accurate shipping rates. To determine the accurate freight class, you need the pallet dimensions, which are essential for calculating pounds per cubic foot (pcf). Then, you compare the pcf against the NMFC code table. Use our simple freight classification tools based off the density of your shipment to determine its corresponding freight class.

When you palletize a shipment, the pallet’s dimensions determine the cubic size. Even though the original carton dimensions remain the same, the cubic dimensions now include the pallet. For instance, if you have a density of 3.54 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), compare it to the freight class calculation below to determine class 250:

LTL Freight Class Table

NMFC CodeShipment Item IDFreight Class
156600-1Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens less than 1 pcf400
156600-2Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 1 but less than 2 pcf300
156600-3Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 2 but less than 4 pcf250
156600-4Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 4 but less than 6 pcf175
156600-5Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 6 but less than 8 pcf125
156600-6Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 8 but less than 10 pcf100
156600-7Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 10 but less than 12 pcf92.5
156600-8Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 12 but less than 15 pcf85
156600-9Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 15 but less than 22.5 pcf70
156600-10Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 22.5 but less than 30 pcf65
156600-11Plastic or Rubber Articles, NOI, dens 30 or greater pcf60
Freight Classification Table Based on Density for Plastic or Rubber Articles Not Otherwise Indicated

NMFC Code: NOI (Not Otherwise Indicated)

The NMFC codes chart is incredibly useful, especially for items falling under the “not otherwise indicated” (NOI) category, such as rubber and plastic articles. TLI supports shipping all commodities, but this freight classification chart, coupled with our shipping density calculator, specifically helps with plastic or rubber items.

Need freight class assistance?

TLI is here to support you every step of the way. Our TMS automatically determines and fills in the NMFC code, freight class, and pounds per cubic foot when you upload a commodity. By incorporating density, mass, and volume into our calculations, we provide precise shipment ratings, helping you avoid billing errors and ensuring accurate shipping rates.

TLI’s comprehensive approach simplifies the shipping process, providing confidence that your freight is always correctly classified. If you need help navigating the NMFC freight class table, reach out to TLI for support. We understand that shippers often struggle with determining the freight class for LTL shipments, which is why we offer the NMFC Freight Class Calculator, seamlessly integrated into our TMS.

Freight Brokerage Evaluation Checklist

With TLI, you can rest assured that even your inbound shipments are accurately classified using the NMFC Freight Class Calculator through our vendor portal program. This ensures precise billing and better control over shipping costs, ultimately optimizing your supply chain and enhancing profitability.