Freight Class for Common Commodities: Complete Reference Table
Freight Class for Common Commodities: Complete Reference Table
Freight class is the foundation of LTL pricing. Get it wrong, and you'll overpay or face reclassification fees at the terminal. This guide provides specific, actionable freight class assignments for over 50 common commodities across every major shipping category. Use this as your reference when filling out bills of lading or negotiating rates with carriers.
Why Freight Class Matters
Before diving into the reference table, understand the stakes. Freight class ranges from 50 (extremely dense, low value) to 500 (extremely light, high value). Each class increment typically increases your LTL rate by 5-15%. Misclassifying a shipment by just two classes—say, declaring Class 85 when it should be Class 100—can add 10-30% to your freight bill and expose you to carrier audits.
The NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) system used in North America determines class based on four factors: density, ease of handling, liability (value), and stowability. In practice, density is the primary driver for most commodities, especially after the July 2025 NMFC Docket changes.
Food & Beverage
Food and beverage shipments vary wildly by product. The density of the item and packaging determines class more than anything else.
| Commodity | Typical Weight (per pallet) | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Freight Class | |-----------|---------------------------|-------------------|---------------| | Canned goods | 1,200 lbs | 40+ | 65 | | Bottled beverages | 1,400+ lbs | 45+ | 70 | | Bulk spices | 600 lbs | 12-18 | 85 | | Fresh produce | 900 lbs | 30-35 | 125 | | Coffee beans | 1,000 lbs | 35-40 | 60 | | Flour/powdered goods | 1,100 lbs | 40+ | 65 | | Frozen foods | 900 lbs | 35-40 | 70 | | Cereal/packaged foods | 800 lbs | 25-30 | 85 |
Key insight: Dense, heavy food items (canned goods, beverages) are Class 65-70 because they pack tight and cost little to handle. Lighter, bulkier items (spices, produce) jump to Class 85-125.
Hardware & Building Materials
Building materials are generally heavy and dense, resulting in lower freight classes. However, some modern materials are lighter than traditional equivalents.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Bricks/concrete blocks | 2,200+ lbs | 55+ | 50 | | Lumber (2x4, standard) | 1,400 lbs | 35-40 | 60 | | Steel pipe (carbon) | 1,800 lbs | 50+ | 50-55 | | Steel rebar | 2,000+ lbs | 60+ | 50 | | Screws/fasteners (bulk) | 1,000 lbs | 40-45 | 55 | | Ceramic tile | 1,200 lbs | 40-50 | 70 | | Drywall (gypsum board) | 1,300 lbs | 35-45 | 65 | | Fiberglass insulation | 400 lbs | 10-15 | 150 | | Aluminum framing | 800 lbs | 20-25 | 92.5 | | PVC pipe | 900 lbs | 25-30 | 85 |
Key insight: Heavy metal materials (rebar, steel pipe) are Class 50-55. Lighter or bulkier materials (fiberglass, aluminum framing) climb into the 85-150 range. Ceramic tile's moderate density places it at Class 70.
Electronics
Electronics span a wide range of weights and values. The 2025 NMFC Docket pushed many electronics upward due to low density relative to value.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Servers/computer systems | 200 lbs (per unit) | 25-35 | 85-92.5 | | Desktop computers | 80 lbs (per unit) | 15-20 | 100 | | Televisions | 150 lbs (55-inch) | 12-18 | 100 | | Small appliances | 40 lbs | 8-12 | 85 | | Microwave ovens | 100 lbs | 18-22 | 85 | | Refrigerators | 250 lbs | 20-25 | 92.5 | | Electrical wiring/cables | 500 lbs (per pallet) | 20-25 | 77.5 | | Computer monitors | 120 lbs (per unit) | 15-20 | 100 | | Printers/scanners | 60 lbs | 10-15 | 92.5 | | Audio/video equipment | 300 lbs (pallet) | 12-18 | 100 |
Key insight: Heavy, dense electronics (servers, refrigerators) are Class 85-92.5. Lighter consumer electronics (TVs, computers) are Class 100. After 2025, expect upward pressure on all consumer electronics due to low density.
Automotive Parts
Automotive parts are segmented by weight and handling requirements. Metal components are dense and lower class; plastic components are bulky and higher class.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Engine blocks/heads | 150 lbs (per unit) | 45+ | 85 | | Transmissions | 200 lbs (per unit) | 50+ | 85 | | Tires (per pallet, 80 tires) | 2,000 lbs | 35-40 | 77.5 | | Car batteries | 180 lbs (per pallet, 4 units) | 40-50 | 70 | | Exhaust systems | 120 lbs (per unit) | 30-35 | 85 | | Plastic trim/interior parts | 400 lbs (per pallet) | 12-18 | 150 | | Doors/panels | 800 lbs (per pallet) | 20-28 | 125 | | Radiators | 300 lbs (per pallet) | 25-32 | 92.5 | | Brake components | 600 lbs (per pallet) | 35-40 | 85 | | Glass (windshields) | 1,200 lbs (per pallet) | 40-50 | 77.5 | | Wiring harnesses | 400 lbs (per pallet) | 15-20 | 125 |
Key insight: Heavy metal components (engines, transmissions) are Class 85. Weight-distributed items like tires and batteries are Class 70-77.5. Plastic and composite components—especially interior trim—jump to Class 125-150.
Apparel & Textiles
Apparel is notoriously light and bulky. Even small shipments occupy significant space, driving up freight classes.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Clothing on hangers | 400 lbs (per pallet) | 4-8 | 150-200 | | Folded clothing/boxed | 600 lbs (per pallet) | 8-12 | 175 | | Bedding (sheets, comforters) | 500 lbs (per pallet) | 8-12 | 150 | | Rolled carpet | 1,200 lbs (per roll) | 25-35 | 85 | | Carpet padding | 400 lbs (per roll) | 6-10 | 150 | | Shoes (boxed) | 600 lbs (per pallet) | 10-15 | 125 | | Fabrics (bolts) | 800 lbs (per pallet) | 12-18 | 125 | | Pillows/cushions | 500 lbs (per pallet) | 5-8 | 175 | | Towels | 700 lbs (per pallet) | 12-15 | 125 | | Work uniforms | 400 lbs (per pallet) | 8-12 | 150 |
Key insight: Apparel is the classic high-class commodity due to low density. Boxed or folded items are Class 125-175; hanging apparel with air gaps is Class 150-200. Rolled carpet is an exception (Class 85) because it's compressible and dense.
Industrial Equipment
Industrial equipment is generally dense and heavy, resulting in moderate freight classes. Handling complexity can push items into higher classes.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Electric motors | 250 lbs (per unit) | 40-50 | 85 | | Pumps (centrifugal) | 300 lbs (per unit) | 38-45 | 100 | | HVAC units | 400 lbs (per unit) | 32-40 | 92.5 | | Compressors | 350 lbs (per unit) | 40-48 | 85 | | Control panels | 150 lbs (per unit) | 25-35 | 92.5 | | Valves (industrial) | 200 lbs (per pallet) | 35-45 | 85 | | Bearings | 500 lbs (per pallet) | 35-42 | 85 | | Hydraulic cylinders | 400 lbs (per pallet) | 40-50 | 85 | | Gauge panels | 300 lbs (per pallet) | 30-38 | 100 | | Belts/chains | 600 lbs (per pallet) | 28-35 | 92.5 |
Key insight: Most industrial equipment is Class 85-100 because it's moderately dense (30-50 lbs/cu ft) and relatively heavy. High-handling-complexity items (HVAC, pumps) are Class 92.5.
Furniture
Furniture varies enormously based on construction and density. The 2025 NMFC Docket pushed much furniture upward. Use density as your guide.
| Commodity | Typical Weight | Density | Class | |-----------|---|---|---| | Office furniture (desks, cabinets) | 1,000 lbs (per pallet) | 25-32 | 125 | | Upholstered sofas | 800 lbs (per unit) | 8-12 | 150 | | Upholstered chairs | 120 lbs (per unit) | 10-15 | 150 | | Wooden tables | 600 lbs (per unit) | 28-35 | 100 | | Wooden chairs | 80 lbs (per unit) | 20-28 | 125 | | Shelving units | 300 lbs (per unit) | 18-24 | 125 | | Mattresses | 150 lbs (per unit) | 6-10 | 175 | | Bed frames | 200 lbs (per unit) | 15-22 | 125 | | Filing cabinets | 250 lbs (per unit) | 35-42 | 92.5 | | Glass-top furniture | 400 lbs (per unit) | 20-28 | 125 |
Key insight: Heavy wooden furniture (tables, cabinets) is Class 100-125. Upholstered and lightweight furniture is Class 150-175. Post-2025 Docket, all lightweight furniture has been upclassified due to density-based rules.
How to Use This Reference
When preparing a shipment:
1. Identify your commodity in the table above 2. Calculate or verify density: Weight ÷ Volume in cubic feet 3. Cross-check against the density range in the table 4. Declare that class on your BOL, along with the specific commodity description 5. Include the NMFC code if your carrier requires it (ask for the 2025 NMFC Code Digest)
If your commodity isn't listed, or if your density falls between two classes, use our Freight Class Calculator to refine your estimate.
A Critical Note on NMFC Codes
This reference uses freight classes, but the underlying NMFC system uses NMFC codes—six-digit numbers that specify exact commodities. For example, "wooden office desks" might be NMFC 180100 (Class 125), while "upholstered office chairs" might be NMFC 182000 (Class 150).
When filing your BOL, including the NMFC code alongside the class provides legal clarity if a dispute arises. Carriers' systems can automatically pull the correct class based on NMFC code, reducing the risk of human error.
Verifying Your Class Before Shipping
Before your first shipment in a new commodity category, run a test:
- Weigh and measure a sample pallet - Calculate density - Declare the class based on this reference - Ask your carrier to pre-rate the shipment and confirm the class - Compare the quoted rate to our LTL Rate Estimator
This simple step can save thousands in reclassification fees and rate disputes.
Revisiting the 2025 Changes
One final reminder: The July 2025 NMFC Docket shifted many commodity categories toward density-based classification. If you were shipping before mid-2025, your legacy classes may be outdated. Cross-reference your historical classes against the density ranges in this guide. If your density doesn't match your declared class, update your BOL template and notify your carrier before your next shipment.
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