Understanding NMFC is crucial when utilizing Less Than Truckload (LTL) services.
NMFC stands for National Motor Freight Classification, a standard in North America specifically designed for freight transportation. This system categorizes commodities into 18 freight classes, ranging from 50 to 500, and establishes standard freight rates for carriers to reference.
NMFC assigns freight classes based on four criteria:
Stowability:
How easily cargo can be loaded onto a trailer.
Handling:
Whether the freight requires special handling or additional manpower, which can impact pricing.
Liability:
Items with higher value or perishability may incur higher freight classes due to increased liability.
Density:
The weight of the product relative to its size.
Lower NMFC class numbers indicate goods that are more favorable for shipping. The development and maintenance of NMFC is overseen by the Freight Classification Development Council (FCDC) and published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). NMFC numbers are used exclusively in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Each type of commodity is assigned a unique NMFC number. Therefore, when arranging shipments of palletized goods, it's essential to verify the NMFC for accurate freight rate quotations and to prepare the Bill of Lading (BOL) accordingly.
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