Freight class is a standard classification system for shipments, defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It's used to categorize commodities like Iron or Steel for transport, taking into account factors like weight, dimensions, density, storage capability, ease of handling, and liability. Freight class is a system to categorize different types of goods being shipped.
Density is a key concept in freight shipping, as it significantly impacts the freight class for commodities like Iron or Steel and hence, the shipping cost. It is calculated as the weight of the shipment divided by its volume. Density in LTL shipping is a measure of how heavy a shipment is for its size.
Stowability is used in freight shipping to describe how easily an item can be stowed or stored in relation to other items. For example, when trying to understand stowability for Iron or Steel, it is important to know if the item can be packaged efficiently and stowed onto the truck easily. In other words- It's an assessment of how easily a shipment can be loaded and transported.
Liability is a term used to refer to the accountability or risk involved in transporting Iron or Steel. It's one of the factors considered when determining freight class. Liability is the degree of risk or responsibility assumed in the shipping process.
Handling refers to the procedures and precautions taken when moving and storing Iron or Steel. It is one of the factors considered when determining freight class for Iron or Steel. It's the actions taken to move and store freight securely.
Tips
Iron Or Steel Castings
50
NOI, iron or steel, Applies only on articles manufactured solely by a casting or forging process, in packages, having a density of 50 pounds or greater per cubic foot, Density must be shown by shipper on shipping orders and bills of lading at time of shipment. If density is not shown and shipment is inadvertently accepted, class will initially be assessed under the provisions of item 95190, naming 'Hardware, NOI.' Upon satisfactory proof of actual density, class will be adjusted accordingly.
Common Commodity Items
Classes
For many NMFC® codes there isn’t just one single class that is applied. Often, NMFC® numbers have multiple "sub-classes", which are almost always based on the density of the shipment. In the instance where your NMFC® number has multiple sub classes, it's best to contact an expert, like Koho, to help identify which subclass to use.
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). It is used for all interstate, intrastate, and foreign commercial movement of LTL cargo. NMFC codes provide standardized freight classes to determine the transportability of the large variety of commodities that are shipped together in LTL shipments every year.
The National Motor Freight and Traffic Association has 18 freight classes numbered 50 to 500. The lower the freight class, the lower the cost of transporting that freight.
