When determining LTL rates, shipping providers are primarily concerned with the amount of space your freight will occupy in their trailers and what factors to consider in order to safely reach the destination.
Typically, a carrier’s LTL rates are based on classes, weight, size, delivery speed (or service type), and discounted rates. Rates also vary if you receive accessorial charges (meaning the carrier performs more duties than originally stated in the bill of lading.
Classification
Typically the NMFTA considers the following factors when determining freight class:
Generally speaking, carriers require products that are well-packaged and have a low probability of being damaged during transit. These nuances are determined by The National Motor Freight Transportation Association (NMFTA) who sets standard rates for every product shipped. The NMFTA provides a uniformed price for all LTL carriers to apply. Each product is assigned a freight-class-number within 18 classes and is typically rated per hundred pounds; the higher the freight-class-number, the more costly that product is to ship.
Density - How heavy or solid is your product?
- Simply put, density is determined by dividing the weight by the total cubic feet. One must first measure the dimensions (height, width and length/depth) from the farthest points including the pallets or other packaging.
- The classification ranges between 50 to 500. More dense items such as steel and machinery have lower freight classifications (50 through 85). The lower the class, the less the rate, and vice versa. However, fragile or bulky items generally fall into freight classes 125 to 500, and cost more to ship.
Stowability - How easy or difficult is it to load your product into a truck?
Stowability refers to how the dimensions of goods being shipped fits into the container that is facilitating transport. This is one of the seven major categories that affect the economics of transportation services, along with distance, volume, density, handling and liability.
Handling - How easy or difficult is it to tightly pack your product into a truck? Can it be stacked? Does it easily fit on a standard pallet?
To reduce damage, LTL shipments often come in wood crates or on wrapped pallets, therefore, every order is contained into one unit (or pallet).
Liability - Is your product extremely valuable or delicate?
This refers to what the carrier deems is the actual cost of the product is worth to move. Accidents can happen. You may acquire insurance for your freight to avoid costly charges later.
Classification
HOW TO DETERMINE FREIGHT CLASS
In an effort to establish fair measures and standardize freight pricing, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created a classification system for every type of freight.
The 18 freight classes are defined with a number between 50 and 500. Below are four things to consider when determining your shipment’s freight class.
1. COMMODITY / DENSITY
Some products have pre defined freight classes. Others are determined by density.
2. STOWABILITY
Difficulty of transporting items due to irregular sizes will result in a higher freight class.
3. HANDLING
Objects that are fragile, heavy, hazardous or require additional handling are subject to a higher freight class.
4. LIABILITY
Products that are easily damaged or that can cause damage to other freight have a higher freight class and may not be covered by the freight carriers liability.
Freight Class | Example Commodities | Density(LBS/Cubic Foot) |
50 | Buts, Bolts, Steel Rods | 50+ |
55 | Hardwood Flooring, Bricks | 35-50 |
60 | Ceramic Tiles, Foodstuff | 30-35 |
65 | Books, Bottled Beverages | 22.5-30 |
70 | Food Items, Paper In Boxes | 15-22.5 |
70.5 | Tires, Bathroom Fixtures | 13.5 – 15 |
85 | Engines, Transmissions | 12 – 13.5 |
92.5 | Computers, Monitors | 10.5 – 12 |
100 | Car & Boat Covers, Wine Cases | 9 – 10.5 |
110 | Cabinets, Framed Artwork | 8 – 9 |
125 | Small Household Appliances | 7 – 8 |
150 | Refrigerators, Freezers | 6 - 7 |
175 | Lighting, Signs | 5 - 6 |
200 | Packaged Mattresses | 4 - 5 |
250 | TV’s, Toys, Pet Products | 3 - 4 |
300 | Wood Cabinets, Glass | 2 - 3 |
400 | Light Fixtures | 1 - 2 |
500 | Ping Pong Balls | < 1 |