NMFC lookup/Category guide
Food & beverage freight classes and NMFC guide
Food and beverage freight is dense and often temperature-sensitive. Density is usually straightforward, but spoilage, alcohol rules, and temperature service change how the shipment must be handled.
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
4
density-rated
0
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- Case counts and pallet patterns change the handling unit.
- Wine and spirits carry alcohol licensing and delivery restrictions.
- Frozen and refrigerated freight needs temperature service, not just a class.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled water Bottled water is heavy, stable, and usually easy to classify. The main variables are the case count, the pallet pattern, and whether the shipment is shrink-wrapped or in trays. | Density | 25–35 lb/ft³ | Class 55–65 | Low |
| Canned goods Canned goods are dense, stackable, and usually straightforward. The class depends on the can size, the case pack, and whether the pallet is a mixed SKU load. | Density | 30–45 lb/ft³ | Class 55–60 | Low |
| Frozen foods Frozen food is dense and usually easy to rate, but the shipment only works if the cold chain holds. Temperature service, loading time, and pallet configuration matter more than the class. | Density | 20–35 lb/ft³ | Class 55–70 | Low |
| Wine Wine is dense for its cube but fragile and often temperature-sensitive. The class is usually manageable; the licensing, temperature, and breakage rules are the hard part. | Density | 25–35 lb/ft³ | Class 55–65 | Medium |
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