Weight and cubic volume play a key factor in U.S. domestic carrier freight charges. To instantly get freight density and (density product) freight class, simply type in your shipment’s total weight and dimensions (including pallets). Our free freight class calculator can help you determine the freight class of your shipment.
Freight Class Calculator.
SKYFER LOGISTICS FREE FREIGHT CLASS CALCULATOR
Determining your Freight Class Based On cargo Density
Our freight class calculator is to be used as a guideline for a range of products that are usually classified as density products.When shipments require special handling, stow ability or are of higher than usual value, they will have a different freight class usually higher, in order to confirm your freight class, you can contact
.Not all US trucking companies use freight class.Canadian trucking firmsdo not use freight class, they use dimensional weight and not all US trucking firms use freight class either.The advantage of determining your freight class is that in certain circumstances a density/class calculator could calculate a class of 70 when your product is a class 50 as per the NMFTA. You would under these circumstances get a reduction in rate by overriding the calculator and forcing it to use class 50. However, you would need to input the NMFTA Class number that corresponds to your products class onto the bill of lading in order to prove this fact.
National Motor Freight Association
The NMFTA freight classification system takes into account three other factors into their classification system, which are stow-ability, handling, and liability – which are used when special care is required.
Stow ability
- When your freight cannot be loaded together with general shipments.
- When Hazardous materialsmust be shipped in a particular manner.
- Large weight, lengths or protrusionsmake your freight impossible to ship alongside other cargo.
- When you skid cannot be stacked.
- Under any of these circumstances above, a stow-ability classification would apply.
Handling
- Freight is usually loaded with forklifts and has no handling difficulties, but some cargo due to their weight, odd shape, fragility or hazardous properties – would require special attention and care.
- Under these instances, a handling classification would apply, which would be based on the degree of difficulty to load and transport.
Liability
- Other freight is much more susceptible to pilferage or theft.
- Some shipments are delicate, perishable, or can damage adjacent shipments– including cargo prone to spontaneous combustion or explosion.
- Liability-classified freight falls into several freight classes, dependent upon density.
Other Freight Class Essentials
Your freight class can make a huge difference to your freight cost calculation. As an example, a shipment that weighs one hundred pounds thatcost $ 150 in class 50, woulddoublein class 125, and be ten times that expensive in class 500.At times increasing the weight of a shipment just slightly can lead to big freight savings by adding just enough weight to slip into the next PCF (pounds per cubic foot) range. That’s because heavier weight classes cost less per pound and increasing the weight just enough to just cross into the next PCF cost range is usually always to your benefit.Reducing sizes can also lead to big freight savings. Verifycommon pallet and box sizes, and use the smallest suitable box and pallet size, taking into account that the shipment should just fit inside the pallet footprint in order to protect the cargo during loading and trans-loading.However, always remember that using the wrong freight class can as well cause issues: extra freight costs, freight claim difficulties, and carrier re-billings (extra costs, shipment delays, invoice inconsistencies).Author:Pierre is an entrepreneur and co-founder of
, a B2B firm that helps small and large businesses save money on shipping costs and helps them reduce their overall risk when it comes to their day-to-day freight needs. He loves following formula 1,traveling, and covering the latest stories on entrepreneurship. Connect with him on
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