What is an NMFC CODE? An NMFC CODE is used to place a classification on a specific item. All items have a specific NMFC CODE. Some codes are based on density and some are based on actual class. For example, plastic items are based on density, but Blenders have an actual class.
NMFC CODES are figured out by Density, Stowability, Handling, and Liability. The higher the class the higher the cost is a good way to recognize the difference in an NMFC CODE. For example, a pallet of nails weighing 500 lbs. will have a much lower class than a pallet of ping pong balls weighing the same 500 lbs. because the ping pong balls are more susceptible to damage.
WHERE TO FIND YOUR NMFC CODE
Check with your freight provider for an accurate NMFC code. You will need to provide a product description, weight, and dimensions of the pallet.
KEY TERMS
Density = the weight per cubic foot of each piece. Best to use a freight calculator to confirm your density.
Stowability = How is the freight placed on the truck compared to other freight
Handling = Are there any special handling requirements that could be considered unusual such as hazardous or being fragile
Liability = Is there a risk to moving this freight to itself or to other surrounding freight.
Freight Classes
Freight class starts at 50 and goes up to 500 based on the factors above. (see below example for density based classes)
Why is it important to know your freight class? Not only is it extremely time consuming but classing your freight wrong can lead to increased costs. Some carriers will not move certain items (example hazardous items) so it is especially important not only to class your freight correctly but to label it correctly in the freight description. Check out the example below for athletic or sporting goods. There is a ton of options that fall into this category but this is based on density, so you need to know your dimensions and weight of each pallet.
| 15520 | Athletic or Sporting Goods, viz.:
Athletic or Sporting Goods, NOI; Basketball Nets; Blinds, hunters’, with or without accessories and camouflage materials; Boards, water sports, NOI, see Notes, items 15523 and 15524; Boxes, Buckets, Cages, Canteens, Containers or Pails, live bait; Decoys, bird, NOI; Exercising or Gymnasium Apparatus or Equipment, NOI; Fishing Tackle, plastic or rubber, NOI; Floats, Rafts or Toys, water sports, NOI, see Note, item 15524; Golf Mats or Platforms, NOI, with or without tees; Playground Apparatus, NOI, see Note, item 15525; Sandboxes or Wading Pools, molded plastic; Snowboards or Snowboard Bindings; Swimming Fins, Goggles, Masks, Nose Clips or Snorkels; Weight Lifting Benches or Athletic Utility Benches, NOI;
In boxes or crates, see Note, item 15522, subject to Item 170 and having a density in pounds per cubic foot of: |
|
| Sub 1 | Less than 1 | 400 |
| Sub 2 | 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| Sub 3 | 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| Sub 4 | 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| Sub 5 | 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| Sub 6 | 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| Sub 7 | 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| Sub 8 | 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| Sub 9 | 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| Sub 10 | 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| Sub 11 | 30 or greater | 60 |
