NMFC lookup/Category guide
Automotive freight classes and NMFC guide
Automotive freight ranges from dense batteries to bulky bumpers and tires. New, used, and remanufactured parts can follow different items, and hazmat rules can override the density story entirely.
Reviewed November 11, 2026 · Reference 2026.11 · 4 commodity guides
At a glance
What changes the class inside this category.
The class is not set by the category name. It is set by the form, packaging, and handling unit of the specific commodity. These are the variables that move a shipment between tiers.
4
commodity guides
0
density-rated
4
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- New, used, and remanufactured parts can classify differently.
- Batteries and fluids may be regulated hazmat.
- Assembled parts and boxed parts have different cubes.
Start with the document, not the class. The NMFC item controls the description and any special provision. Confirm it in ClassIT+ or with the carrier, then measure the handling unit.
How to find an NMFC codeCommodity · basis · density · class span
4 entries
| Commodity | Basis | Typical density | Class span | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto parts Auto parts range from dense brake rotors to bulky body panels. The class depends on the part, the packaging, and whether the shipment is new, used, or remanufactured. | Mixed | 10–20 lb/ft³ | Class 70–92.5 | High |
| Bumpers Bumpers and body panels are bulky, fragile, and easy to scratch. The class usually turns on the carton or crate and on whether the parts are nested or shipped individually. | Mixed | 4–8 lb/ft³ | Class 100–175 | High |
| Lead-acid batteries Lead-acid batteries are dense and potentially regulated. The class is only part of the story: acid, venting, and hazardous-materials rules can decide whether the shipment moves at all. | Mixed | 40–70 lb/ft³ | Class 50–55 | High |
| Tires Tires are bulky and awkward, and new, used, and baled tires can follow different classification paths. Density depends heavily on whether the tires are loose, stacked, banded, or baled. | Mixed | 8–15 lb/ft³ | Class 70–100 | High |
Class spans are derived from the endpoints of each typical density estimate. A measured shipment returns one class. Methodology & sources.
Turn it into a number
Measure the shipment, not the category.
Use the freight class calculator for the density math, the pallet calculator for the finished handling unit, and the linear feet calculator for trailer floor space.
Related categories
Keep browsing.
Furniture & fixtures
Furniture is one of the hardest categories to classify because the same item can ship assembled, knocked down, or nested. Density, packaging, and whether the carrier can stack the handling unit usually decide the class.
Browse category →Appliances & electronics
Appliances and electronics are bulky relative to their weight, so density usually lands in the middle of the scale. The packaging — foam, crates, and pallets — often matters more than the product itself.
Browse category →Building materials
Building materials are usually dense and stable, which makes them easier to classify than furniture. The trap is shipping partial units, mixed loads, or material that is wet, wrapped, or bundled differently from the norm.
Browse category →Category notes
One category, several density stories.
The table is a starting point. The detail page for each commodity explains what drives the density, how to measure it, and what to confirm before booking.
Corrections: hello@freightclasshub.com