Understanding Freight Class and How It Impacts Your Shipping Cost

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**Understanding Freight Class and How It Impacts Your Shipping Cost**

If you’ve ever arranged a shipment—whether it’s a few boxes of products or a large https://www.shipaa.com —you might have come across something called “freight class.” At first glance, it might seem like some industry term that only experts need to know. But if you're paying for shipping, knowing what freight class means can actually save you money and prevent headaches.

So, what exactly is freight class?

Freight class is a system used in the U.S. to group different types of freight for shipping purposes. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) developed this system to make shipping charges more fair and consistent across different carriers. There are 18 freight classes in total, ranging from Class 50 (least expensive) to Class 500 (most expensive).

Here’s why it matters: Carriers use the freight class to figure out how much to charge you. A lower freight class usually means a lower price. But the class isn't just picked randomly—it’s based on a few important things.

**Key factors that determine freight class:**

1. **Weight** – Heavier shipments that take up less space usually fall into lower, less expensive classes.
2. **Size** – Bigger, bulky items that use more space without necessarily being heavy are rated higher.
3. **Sturdiness** – Fragile or irregular items may need special handling and are placed in higher classes, which cost more.
4. **Value** – High-value items or items that could be stolen easily might increase the class level.
5. **How it’s packed** – If an item is unusually shaped or hard to move, it could be rated differently.

Because of all these factors, two shipments that weigh the same might still fall into different freight classes—and have very different shipping prices.

**Why knowing your freight class helps:**

If you give the wrong freight class when you book your shipment, you could end up paying more than you expected. Carriers might reclassify it themselves after pickup and charge you the difference. It’s always a good idea to get familiar with how your items fit into the system. Some items have fixed classifications (like certain machinery or furniture), while others are based mostly on size and weight.

**Tips for lowering your shipping cost:**

- **Measure everything correctly.** Length, width, height, and weight—get accurate numbers so you know what your shipment looks like on paper.
- **Use proper packaging.** Clean, stackable, and secure packaging can sometimes help you get a lower class.
- **Ship in bulk, if possible.** The more items you ship together, the better the cost per item might be.
- **Talk to your copyright.** Sometimes they can help you figure out how to classify your items properly and avoid surprises.

In short, freight class isn’t just a technical detail—it plays a big part in what you pay for shipping. Getting it right means fewer surprises and maybe even some savings. So next time you're planning a shipment, take a moment to check the class. It might just make the whole process a bit smoother.

 

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