How Does A Product Get Its Freight Classification?

Commodities are classified by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which is a non-profit organization. The purpose of this organization is to provide carriers and shippers a simple system for simplifying the pricing complexities of products moving in both interstate and intrastate commerce. The “official tariff” containing the published classes is called the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). Therein are thousands of products that are given a relative rating called a class rating. There are eighteen different classes ranging from Class 50 to Class 500. Classes, as they increase in their number, provide higher rates for the shipping of that product. Certain products may have different classes, within the same category, based on how that product is shipped. For instance, a kitchen cabinet that is assembled and in a bulky carton will carry a much higher class than a kitchen cabinet that is disassembled, or “knocked down flat” (KDF). The weight is the same for both products, but one takes up considerably more space, in a shipping vehicle, than the other.

What are the factors used in determining the “class” of a product? They are as follows:

• Density – weight per cubic foot

• Stowability – including excessive weight and excessive length

• Ease of Handling – includes special care or attention necessary to handle the goods

• Liability – includes price per pound, susceptibility to theft, liability to damage, and perishability

Some products are specifically described, whereas others are established based on the density of a product (pounds per cubic foot), such as “Plastic Articles”. Since there are so many different plastic articles, with varying shapes, sizes and weights, it would be virtually impossible to classify each product. Therefore, the NMFTA, in its quest to simplify, established class ratings on plastic articles based on density, instead. The lower the pounds per cubic foot, the higher the freight classification of the product.

The NMFTA is made up of member freight carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, logistic and shipper companies, that meet on a regular basis to establish a classification on a new product, or to review classifications on established products. The tariff (NMFC), published by the organization is copyrighted and is published for the use of its members and subscribers, only.