NMFC lookup/Category guide
Machinery & industrial freight classes and NMFC guide
Machinery is dense and irregular. The handling unit is often a crate or a skid, and the class can depend on whether the item ships assembled, crated, or with accessories and fluids.
Reviewed November 11, 2026 · Reference 2026.11 · 3 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.
3
commodity guides
0
density-rated
3
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- Crated and uncrated machinery can classify differently.
- Fluids, fuel, and batteries may be regulated.
- Lift points and securement need to be on the BOL.
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
3 entries
| Commodity | Basis | Typical density | Class span | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generators Generators are heavy, dense machinery, and fuel residue can make them regulated. The class is usually favorable; the pre-booking questions are about weight, lift equipment, and hazmat status. | Mixed | 12–22 lb/ft³ | Class 70–85 | Medium |
| HVAC units HVAC equipment is bulky, fragile, and often shipped on a skid or in a crate. The class depends on the unit type and how much packaging surrounds the coil and cabinet. | Mixed | 6–12 lb/ft³ | Class 85–125 | High |
| Pumps & compressors Pumps and compressors are dense, irregular machinery. The class depends on whether the unit is crated, skidded, or shipped with accessories, fluids, and controls attached. | Mixed | 10–20 lb/ft³ | Class 70–92.5 | 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