NMFC lookup/Category guide
Paper & packaging freight classes and NMFC guide
Paper and packaging products are dense and compressible. The same product can ship as a skid, a bale, or a wrapped roll, and each form has a different density and handling profile.
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
3
density-rated
0
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- Bales, skids, and rolls are different handling units.
- Moisture damage can turn a clean delivery into a claim.
- Compressed or nested packaging changes the cube quickly.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated boxes (KD) Knocked-down corrugated boxes are light and bulky, and they nest into bundles that can be much denser than the cartons they become. Bundling is the density lever. | Density | 4–8 lb/ft³ | Class 100–175 | High |
| Paper towels & tissue Paper towels and tissue are extremely light for their cube. The class is usually expensive, and compression, baling, and packaging are the only meaningful levers. | Density | 1–4 lb/ft³ | Class 175–300 | Medium |
| Printing paper Printing paper is dense, heavy, and moisture-sensitive. The class is stable; the handling unit, skid height, and protection from water are the practical variables. | Density | 40–55 lb/ft³ | Class 50–55 | Low |
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