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 Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded 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 Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded and hence, the shipping cost. It is calculated as the weight of the shipment divided by its volume. It's the parameter used to calculate the freight class of a shipment.
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 Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded, it is important to know if the item can be packaged efficiently and stowed onto the truck easily. In other words- It's a measure of how well a freight item can be stowed with other items for shipping.
Liability is a term used to refer to the accountability or risk involved in transporting Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded. It's one of the factors considered when determining freight class. Liability is the potential financial risk associated with transporting goods.
Handling refers to the procedures and precautions taken when moving and storing Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded. It is one of the factors considered when determining freight class for Plastic or Rubber Articles or Materials, Expanded. It's the procedures followed to prevent damage to freight during transport.
Tips
Plastic Or Other Materials Articles Forms
Plastic Or Other Materials Ground
Plastic Or Other Materials Insulation
Plastic Or Other Materials Plugs Paper Roll
Plastic Or Other Materials Sheeting Polypropylene Polyethylene
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60
500
Asphalt composition or pressed waxed paper, in bags, boxes, crates or drums
In packages having a density of less than one pound per cubic foot
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) publishes a list of freight class designations, codes, and subclasses for commonly shipped items (https://classit.nmfta.org/). A subscription fee is required to access this list. You can learn more about freight classes from the experts at Koho for free on our freight classes pages.
Adding NMFC code to a shipment is technically optional, but the NMFC codes can help avoid reclassification and ensure you're using the correct freight class number.
