WooCommerce Shipping: What are Freight Classes?

In this article, we will explain to you what are Freight Classes and how to configure and use the Freight classes when using the WooCommerce Shipping Plugin for FedEx with Print Label. Check out below.

What are Freight Classes?

Freight classes are designed to help you get common standardized freight pricing for your shipment when working with different carriers, warehouses, and brokers.   Freight classes are defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) and made available through the NMFC or National Motor Freight Classification.

Freight classes (there are 18 of them) are based on weight, length, height, density, ease of handling, value and liability from things like theft, damage, break-ability, and spoilage. For the most part, the lower the NMFC class number, the lower the freight charge.  Part of FML’s job is to help you figure out your NMFC freight class, insuring the specialized code is correct. This ensures that you get correct and consistent pricing for your freight.  The following table describes the NMFC classes and is meant for general guidance in picking your freight class, a number of factors influence what class your shipment ends up in.  You should contact FML Freight Representative to determine an accurate freight class.

Class Name Cost Notes, Examples Weight Range Per Cubic Foot
Class 50 – Clean Freight Lowest Cost Fits on standard shrink-wrapped 4X4 pallet, very durable over 50 lbs
Class 55 Bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring 35-50 pounds
Class 60 Car accessories & car parts 30-35 pounds
Class 65 Car accessories & car parts, bottled beverages, books in boxes 22.5-30 pounds
Class 70 Car accessories & car parts, food items, automobile engines 15 to 22.5 pounds
Class 77.5 Tires, bathroom fixtures 13.5 to 15 pounds
Class 85 Crated machinery, cast iron stoves 12-13.5 pounds
Class 92.5 Computers, monitors, refrigerators 10.5-12 pounds
Class 100 boat covers, car covers, canvas, wine cases, caskets 9-10.5 pounds
Class 110 cabinets, framed artwork, table saw 8-9 pounds
Class 125 Small Household appliances 7-8 pounds
Class 150 Auto sheet metal parts, bookcases, 6-7 pounds
Class 175 Clothing, couches stuffed furniture 5-6 pounds
Class 200 Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, aluminum table, packaged mattresses, 4-5 pounds
Class 250 Bamboo furniture, mattress and box spring, plasma TV 3-4 pounds
Class 300 wood cabinets, tables, chairs setup, model boats 2-3 pounds
Class 400 Deer antlers 1-2 pounds
Class 500 – Low Density or High Value Highest Cost Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls Less than 1 lbs.

Getting it wrong will cost you. If you incorrectly classify your item to be shipped it can be reclassified by the freight carrier. Disputing this is difficult, and time-consuming and you will be charged the difference (usually without a discount).

A Practical Example to Determine LTL Freight Class

To properly freight class a shipment of 1 pallet of plastic hose (BO528112035PSL), we need to know the pallet dimension and weight.  This product ships on a standard pallet that can be double-stacked for shipment.  The dimensions are 48” Lx40” Wx45.5” H and the weight including the pallet is 243.2 lbs.  Using the formula shown above (and repeated below with the numbers from our example) we derive a PCF of 4.8 PCF.  Therefore using the table above our freight would be NMFC class 51140-4 rated at class 150.

  • PCF calculation for a full pallet of 32 cartons of BO528112035PSL
    •  Length x width x height = cubic inches (48”x40”x45.5”=87,360 cubic inches)
    • Cubic inches/1728 = cubic feet   (87,360/1728 = 50.6 cubic feet)
    • Divide the weight of the packing unit by the volume. (243.2 lbs /50.6  cubic feet = 4.8 pounds per cubic foot)

Again, it is VERY important as a shipper of freight you understand freight class. Getting it wrong will cost you. If you incorrectly classify your item to be shipped it can be reclassified by the freight carrier. Disputing this is difficult, and time-consuming and you will be charged the difference (usually without a discount).