📦 Shipping Steel: Freight Classification Guide for Sheets, Bars & Coils

Shipping steel products—whether sheets, bars, or coils—requires a solid understanding of freight classification. Correct classification ensures accurate shipping costs, compliant handling, and reduces delays or damage. Misclassification can lead to unexpected charges and headaches.

What Is Freight Class?

Freight class is an industry-standard system from the NMFTA (National Motor Freight Traffic Association), using 18 classes (Class 50–500) based on:

• Density (lbs per cubic foot)

• Stowability

• Handling requirements

• Liability/risk

Dense, stable shipments fall into lower classes and attract lower rates reddit.comrxo.com+11eoxs.com+11freightleads.app+11.

Freight Class of Steel Products

🔹 Steel Sheets: Class 60–85

• Influenced by thickness, dimensions, and packaging

• Better packaging (crates/pallets) lowers the class by improving stowability and handling translogisticsinc.com+6eoxs.com+6nmfta.org+6
  Best Practice: Crate or palletize sheets securely to reduce handling effort.

🔹 Steel Bars: Class 50–70

• Shape, weight, length influence classification

• Bundling with steel straps enhances stability, reducing class eoxs.com
  Best Practice: Bundle bars tightly and secure them to prevent shifting during transit.

🔹 Steel Coils: Class 50–85

• Depends on coil weight, packaging, and required handling

• Heavier coils typically fall into Class 50; better cradles or racks help qualify for lower classes reddit.com+15eoxs.com+15shipnerd.com+15
  Best Practice: Use coil racks, cradles, and secure wrapping to ensure safe transport.

How to Determine Your Freight Class

1. Measure & weigh your shipment (include packing materials).

2. Calculate density:

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   Density = Total Weight (lbs) ÷ Volume (ft³)


3. Consult NMFTA ClassIT® or carrier resources for NMFC codes and class lookup eoxs.com+1fedex.com+1freightleads.app+15nmfta.org+15nmfta.org+15.

4. Package securely to improve handling and stowability—and potentially lower class assignments.

Why Accurate Classification Matters

• Cost control: Class 50 rates can be significantly lower than Class 85.

• Avoid fees: Carriers often reclass shipments on delivery—risking reclassification charges eoxs.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1reddit.com+7fedex.com+7reddit.com+7reddit.com+2freightleads.app+2reddit.com+2.

• Ensure safe handling: Correct classes ensure carriers apply proper loading practices.

🧭 Final Tips for Steel Shippers

• Prioritize packaging to boost stability and lower class.

• Use NMFC tools or ClassIT® for precise classification.

• Review density changes if shipment specs change—class could shift.

• Bundle mixed SKUs carefully: carriers often charge at the highest class if multiple classes are present es.scribd.com+15reddit.com+15nmfta.org+15ntgfreight.com+5reddit.com+5eoxs.com+5.

• Stay updated: NMFC is evolving—new density scales may affect cost calculations by July 2025 nmfta.org+3reddit.com+3reddit.com+3.

✅ In Summary

Steel products typically fall into low freight classes (50–85). For accurate shipping quotes and safe delivery:

• Measure and calculate shipment density

• Package securely

• Use NMFC tools for class lookup

• Proactively avoid reclassification

By mastering freight classification, your steel shipments move safer and cheaper—keeping your supply chain sharp and your costs manageable.