NMFC Codes and freight classes for household items that have been packaged to be freight ready. When shipping household goods, see below for the proper NMFC code or Household goods freight class.
Household Goods NMFC Code Cheat list
NMFC Item 100240
Household Goods, as described in Note, item 100262, including Personal Effects or Military Baggage, in shipping vans or prepared for shipment as required by Note, item 100282, subject to Note, item 100272; each article released in value in accordance with the following, see Note, item 100292:
Sub-01 Class-100
Released value not exceeding 10 cents per pound
Sub-02 Class-125
Released value exceeding 10 cents but not exceeding 20 cents per pound
Sub-03 Class-150
Released value exceeding 20 cents but not exceeding 50 cents per pound
Sub-04 Class-200
Released value exceeding 50 cents but not exceeding $2.00 per pound
Sub-05 Class-300
Released value exceeding $2.00 but not exceeding $5.00 per pound
Note 100262
Provisions on household goods apply only on second-hand (used) household or personal effects such as clothing, furniture or furnishings for residence with not to exceed one piano; and with each shipment weighing 12,000 pounds or more, there may also be included not to exceed one second-hand (used) freight (not driving trucks for freight vehicles or fire apparatus) or passenger automobile, or one second-hand (used) motorcycle. Does not apply on articles of extraordinary value nor on goods shipped for sale or speculation.
Note 100282
The following packing requirements must be observed, except when shipments are made in iron or steel or iron or steel and wood wheeled carriers completely filled, and except also that trunks or articles of furniture (when themselves packed or prepared for shipment as required by this Note) may be used as substitutes for boxes:
Bedding, in boxes, crates, drums, wrapped bundles or wrapped rolls;
Books, in boxes or drums;
Carpets or rugs, in boxes, crates, drums, wrapped bundles or wrapped rolls;
Clothing, draperies or linens, in boxes or drums;
Furniture having surfaces liable to damage, or upholstered furniture, must be fully protected by boxing, crating or wrapping. Excelsior pads or their equivalent must be used when necessary to properly protect the articles;
Glassware, packed in boxes or drums;
Marble slabs, mirrors or pictures, in boxes or crates;
Musical instruments, in boxes or drums;
Pottery, packed in boxes or drums;
Refrigerators, mechanical, must have compressor unit held securely in position, in boxes or crates, or wrapped in fibreboard and skidded, or wrapped in quilted pads;
Sewing machines, in boxes or crates;
Stoves or ranges, in boxes or crates when with shipments weighing less than 12,000 pounds;
Trunks containing household or personal effects, when in shipments weighing less than 12,000 pounds, must be corded and locked or sealed, or in boxes or crates;
All other household goods, requiring protection against breakage or chafing, must be in bags, boxes, drums, wrapped bundles or crates.
Note 100272
Household goods in shipping vans, boxes or crates exceeding 400 cubic feet displacement or exceeding 16 feet in length will be subject to the applicable minimum charges provided in carriers' tariffs.
Note 100292
The release, which shall be deemed to relate to each article separately and not to the shipment as a whole, must be entered on the shipping order and bill of lading in the following form:
"The agreed or declared value of each article in this shipment is hereby specifically stated by the shipper to be not exceeding _______ per pound."
(Classes herein based on released value have been authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission in Released Rates Order No. MC-314, as amended April 23, 1952 and August 9, 1966, FF-56, of September 14, 1950, subject to complaint or suspension.) (See elsewhere in this Classification for intrastate authorities.)
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is a standard that provides a comparison of commodities moving in interstate, intrastate and foreign commerce. It is similar in concept to the groupings or grading systems that serve many other industries. Commodities are grouped into one of 18 classes—from a low of class 50 to a high of class 500—based on an evaluation of four transportation characteristics: density, stowability, handling and liability. Together, these characteristics establish a commodity’s “transportability.”
The four transportation characteristics were prescribed by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1983 and then mandated by its successor agency, the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Although the ICC no longer exists and the STB no longer regulates the classification process, by analyzing commodities on the basis of these characteristics and ONLY on the basis of these characteristics, the NMFC provides both carriers and shippers with a standard by which to begin negotiations and greatly simplifies the comparative evaluation of the many thousands of products moving in today’s competitive marketplace.
The Standard for Packaging, Rules and Bills of Lading
The NMFC specifies minimum packaging requirements to ensure that goods are adequately protected in the motor carrier environment and can be handled and stowed in a manner that is reasonably safe and practicable. It contains various rules that govern and otherwise relate to the classification and/or packaging of commodities as well as procedures for the filing and disposition of claims. It also contains the Uniform Straight Bill of Lading and the North American Uniform Through Bill of Lading, including their Terms and Conditions.
The National Motor Freight Classification is a comprehensive, invaluable resource for transportation and packaging professionals. To order the National Motor Freight Classification, please click here.
