How to use the Deftship Freight Class Calculator

How to use the Deftship Freight Class Calculator

We got you!

We are eager to help our existing and future customers to make better decisions with their Shipping processes. We know how important it is to identify the Freight Class of your Shipment.

What is Freight Classification System? 

The National Motor Freight Association (NMFTA) developed the freight classification system to establish standardized freight pricing for various types of commodities transported by truck. Freight classification is primarily determined by the density of the load, measured in pounds per cubic foot, but other freight characteristics may also be considered.

3 Things to Consider

Stowability

Stowability is one of the factors that can affect your freight class, which in turn can affect the cost of shipping. The way your freight can be arranged in the carrier truck is one aspect of stowability that is considered, along with the density of your freight and other characteristics like the ease of handling and liability. 

Overall, it's important to consider the size, shape, and other characteristics of your freight when arranging for shipping, as this can affect both the cost and the efficiency of the process.

Ease of Handling 

The ability of a commodity to be handled as it is loaded and unloaded from one LTL terminal to another is one factor that affects the freight class and, consequently, the cost of shipping. This includes the packaging, unit dimensions, and fragility of the item being shipped 
The more difficult an item is to handle, the more it will increase the freight class and, in turn, the cost of shipping.

 In determining the freight class, the probability of the shipment being damaged or stolen, or damaging other adjacent shipments, is also taken into account.

Liability

The perishability, breakability, and fragility of your freight are factors that can be taken into account when determining its freight class.

If you are shipping perishable items, such as food or other items that require temperature control, you may need to package them in insulated containers and mark the package as "perishable". Additionally, if your freight is fragile or breakable, extra care should be taken to ensure that it is packaged securely and marked as fragile to prevent damage during transit.

Steps in using the Deftship Freight Class Calculator


NOTE: You don't need to have an account with Deftship to use this feature. 

1. On the browser, type in https://deftship.com/resources/freight-class-calculator  or Click HERE.
Go to our Deftship website > Resources > Freight Class Calculator


2. Put in the required information, to begin with, the calculation.
  • Choose the Measurement type: lb/in  or kg/cm
  • Packaging: Custom Dimensions, 48x40 or 48x48
  • Enter the Length x Width x Height and Weight Value


3. You can see the result below the calculator.
Example:
  • Choose the Measurement type: lb/in 
  • Packaging:  48x48 
  • Enter the 48 x 50 x 48 and 500 lbs 


The Freight Class is 65.


You may also check out other helpful articles about Freight:

    • Related Articles

    • How to use the Deftship Dimensional Weight Calculator

      The volume and weight calculator is a valuable tool employed for determining both the dimensions and mass of an item. It not only aids in precise estimations of an object's volume and weight but also facilitates swift computations for purposes such ...

    • How to use BigCommerce with Deftship

      This article will explain how to connect your BigCommerce store to Deftship. How it works: 1. Search and download the DeftShip app and connect your BigCommerce account 2. Select from offered discounted carrier rates and generate your labels 3. ...

    • How to use Deftship Remote Address Lookup

      We got you! There are some areas that may be considered Remote Addresses by some carriers. Hence, they are not able to service it. We understand how important it is for you to know if the shipment will be successful and making sure they are ...

    • How to Track your Freight Order

      We encourage you to track your Freight order. This way, you keep yourself updated and the recipient of the package when he should expect it. Freight orders use PRO or BOL numbers to track the shipment. The number of carriers you can choose from is ...

    • How to connect your TForce Freight account to your Deftship

      You can now see the best deals and discounts from your TForce Freight account to your Deftship account by integration. Steps to connect your TForce account to your Deftship 1. Log in to your Deftship account. 2. On the left sidebar, scroll down to ...