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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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