Are You Shipping Freight?

Are You Shipping Freight?

If you are shipping:

  • More than 150 pounds
  • More than 108 inches in length
  • More  than 165 inches in length and girth combined
    • Yes, you are shipping freight.
    • If no, you are shipping parcel.

Let’s Calculate Your Girth

  1. Measure the width of the package, multiply the width number by two.
  2. Measure the height of the package, multiply height number by two.
  3. Add totals of the width and height numbers together to get your girth.
  4. Next, add your length + girth to check if the total is under 165 inches.

For cylindrical packages, Girth would be the circumference of the cylinder.

There are typically 18 classes of freight ranging from the lowest cost, Class 50 where you are shipping over 50 lbs that fit on 4 x 4 shrink wrapped pallets. The material is able to withstand, wear, pressure or damage. The class goes up to highest cost, Class 500 where the item is very expensive, high value but do not take up much space, low density. It’s a rare shipment. All Less than a Load, LTL shipping comes under one of the 18 classification codes.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) defines the freight classes and makes them available through the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC).

NMFC classification is based on four main factors:

Density

Density weight per cubic foot of each piece, or the space an item occupies in relation to weight.

  • Commodities with a higher density comes under a lower freight class. These commodities are more compact and easier to ship.
  • High-density commodities are cheaper to ship than bulky, low-density.

Handling

Handling – any unique handling or care requirements needed during transport.

  • Fragile or hazardous items may require special accommodations and are more expensive to ship because of its higher class.
  • Shape, weight, and size determines the ease of handling which may increase cost.

Stow-ability

Stowability is how a commodity can be loaded and transported with other commodities.

  • If an item is difficult to stow with other items, it will have a higher freight class. It is more expensive to ship.

Liability

Liability covers the likelihood of freight theft, damage, or damage to nearby loads.

  • If a commodity is perishable, it has a higher liability and costs more to ship.