HSN stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature. It is a system for classifying commodities created by the World Customs organization. U.S. LTL shipping, however, uses NMFC classifications instead.

It might be tempting to declare that your shipment is a lower freight class than it actually is in order to secure a lower price, however, carriers will re-classify your freight for accuracy and charge you a fee for having to do so.

Density is the relationship between weight and size. A ping pong ball, which is very little material surrounding a good amount of air, is low density. Bricks, which are heavy for their size, are high density. In LTL shipping, it is commonly measured in pounds per cubic foot.