How to Figure Freight Class for Accurate and Cost-Effective Shipping

In the logistics and transportation industry, the process of freight classification is an extremely important process to be followed to ensure the accurate calculation of freight costs for the delivery of goods. The process of determining the freight classification is an important part of the process of Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping.

The process of determining the freight classification is an extremely important process for the identification of the freight classification for the shipment of goods based on certain criteria such as density, handling, stowability, and liability. The key to avoiding reclassification fees is to master the process of determining freight classes. Whether you are a freight broker or a small business owner, learning about the process of figure freight class classification can be extremely beneficial to you.

What Is Freight Class?

Freight class is a standardized way to sort shipments in LTL freight. The Figure Freight Class system was created in accordance with the National Motor Freight Classification guidelines. The Figure Freight Class system aims at achieving uniformity in the pricing of goods during transportation. The classes vary from 50 to 500. The lower classes include goods that are dense and easier to ship. On the other hand, the high classes include goods that are light and require careful handling. The Freight Class plays a critical role in determining the rate for a shipment.

Figure Freight Class Factors

Several important factors need to be taken into consideration while Figure Freight Class of a shipment. These factors help the carrier get an idea about the impact that the freight will have. The factors help the shipping company get an idea about the impact that the freight will have.

1. Density

The most important factor in classifying goods is density. Density is a relationship between the weight of goods and the space occupied by them. Goods that are of high density are classified in a lower freight class since they take up little space compared to their weight. On the other hand, goods that are of low density take up a lot of space and are classified in a higher freight class.

2. Handling

Handling refers to the ease with which goods can be handled while being transported from one place to another. Goods that need special equipment and handling during transportation are usually classified in a high freight class. Such goods include fragile goods, hazardous goods, and goods that are difficult to handle.

3. Stowability

Stowability means the ability for a shipment to be located in a truck or container with other shipments. Shipments that are unusual in shape or have a hazardous classification or strong odor may be limited in the amount of stowable space available during transportation. A shipment that cannot be stacked or located alongside other shipments may be a higher freight class.

4. Liability 

The element of liability also takes into consideration the risk associated with the goods. This refers to the risk of damaging the goods, stealing them, breaking them, or spoiling them while transporting them. Goods that are valuable or fragile are classified as higher-class goods because they are riskier for the shipping company.

With all these considerations in mind, one can better determine the freight class of the goods with greater accuracy. By doing so, one can minimize any possible shipping delays or increases in the cost of shipping.

Why Accurate Freight Classification Matters

Finding the right freight class is a very important step for several reasons. The shipper can avoid paying extra fees for reclassification by putting the freight into groups. When a carrier finds that the freight class indicated for a shipping item is not correct, they can reclassify it. The item increases the cost of shipping the item.

The use of the correct freight class ensures the exactness of the shipping cost, as the cost indicated for shipping the item is a true reflection of the item’s characteristics, including its density, handling, and level of risk. The use of the correct freight class for shipping goods allows the carrier to handle the goods more efficiently, thereby reducing the chances of delays during the shipping transit. When a company makes the correct use of the freight class, it can improve its supply chain operation.

How to Figure Freight Class

To evaluate the characteristics of a shipment to determine the freight class of the shipment, you need to follow the procedure outlined below:

Step 1: The first step is to determine the dimensions of the packaged freight. The dimensions need to include any pallets or packaging materials used to package the freight.

Step 2: The second step is to determine the weight of the shipment.

Step 3: The third step is to determine the density of the shipment by dividing the weight of the shipment by the total cubic volume of the shipment.

Step 4: The fourth step is to determine any additional factors related to the shipment.

Step 5: The final step is to determine the freight class of the shipment based on the data collected above using the NMFC or freight class calculator. 

Conclusion

Freight class determination is a key component in the process of shipping and logistics. The process of determining the density, handling requirements, stowability, and liabilities can help in determining the freight class for the shipment. The determination process is important in that it can help in avoiding delays and logistics issues. With the help of freight class calculators and resources from NMFC, along with precise measurements, a company can effectively streamline its shipping process and maintain a cost-effective transportation strategy. 

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