Freightquote simplifies freight shipping with great online tools and calculates your freight class automatically. Call or sign up today to find your freight class.
What is a freight class?
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has documented all types of freight commodities and classified them to create standards in freight pricing. The definitions, or classes, of freight are cataloged
in the National Motor Freight Classification tariff, commonly referred to as the
NMFC.
Freight shpping goods are grouped into eighteen classes between 50 and 500.
The NMFC publishes, to both carriers and shippers, a common standard to provide
pricing negotiations and simplifies the comparative evaluation between different
types of commodities.
National Motor Freight Traffic Association?
NMFTA is a nonprofit organization made up of more than 1,100
trucking companies and regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface
Transportation Board.
An autonomous National Classification Committee (NCC) develops and maintains
the NMFC. They meet to discuss issues pertaining to changes to NMFC
and membership.
It is required by Federal Law to participate in NMFTA. Any trucking company who uses, or
references NMFC in its contracts, classes, rules or descriptions within their Tariff
Rules or practices must be a member.
The use or reference by a non participating carrier is a violation of Federal Law
and invalidates those rates, charges or packaging requirements. Freightquote
consults and makes sure your freight abides by all applicable laws and
regulations.
NMFC freight class basics
It is important that you know the correct freight class of your products in order
to receive accurate freight rates and to ensure that the carrier does not re-class
your shipment which could result in a higher bill from the carrier.
Shipping freight and freight class don't have to be complicated issues. Different types of products from chemicals to machine parts, to sporting
equipment to clothing are defined according to how they are made.
Freight classes are assigned based on evaluation of four transportation characteristics:
- Density - weight per cubic foot
- Freight stowability - the length or excessive length and width based on the mode rules of a carrier
- Ease of Handling - is there any special care involved for moving or transporting
- Liability - freight price per pound, susceptibility to theft, liability to damage, breakability, and perishability
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