Demystifying LTL Freight Classification

The National Motor Freight Classification^® (NMFC^®) system can be overwhelming. However, manufacturers that understand how carriers classify freight can find creative ways to lower their costs for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

Factors that Affect Freight Rates

The NMFC groups commodities into 18 classes based on the following four characteristics: density, stowability, handling and liability.

The lowest and least expensive class to ship is class 50, which includes durable, high-density items that fit neatly on a standard pallet. The highest is class 500, which includes gold dust (high liability) and ping-pong balls (low density). Carriers also consider other factors, such as weight, distance and packaging.