What is Freight Class?

Freight class is a standardized classification system established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) that categorizes commodities shipped via less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. There are 18 freight classes ranging from Class 50 (lowest rate, most dense/easy to handle) to Class 500 (highest rate, least dense/hardest to handle). The class assigned to your shipment directly determines the shipping rate charged by LTL carriers.

Why It Matters

Freight class is one of the primary factors that determines your LTL shipping costs. Misclassifying freight—intentionally or accidentally—can result in reclassification charges, additional fees, and strained carrier relationships. Conversely, understanding how freight class works and optimizing your packaging and palletization for better classification can significantly reduce shipping costs.

How It Works

• Density: The primary factor. Denser shipments (more weight per cubic foot) get lower classes and lower rates. A pallet of bricks (high density) gets a much lower class than a pallet of pillows (low density).
• Handling: Items requiring special handling (fragile, hazardous, oddly shaped) receive higher classifications.
• Stowability: Items that are difficult to store with other freight (irregularly shaped, hazardous, excessively heavy) are classified higher.
• Liability: Items with higher value, perishability, or damage susceptibility receive higher classifications to account for increased carrier risk.

How Nventory Helps

Nventory stores freight class information for each product and automatically applies the correct classification when generating LTL shipping quotes. The system helps you compare LTL rates across carriers with accurate class-based pricing, ensuring you get the best rates without risking reclassification penalties.