How Is LTL Class of Shipment Determined?

Anyone in the shipping business will tell you that efficiency is really the name of the game. We want to get your cargo from point A to point B as quickly and as safely as possible. We know that your business relies largely on our business, which is a responsibility our entire team takes very seriously.

Determining your costs is one way we can work together to deliver an outstanding level of service. Let’s take LTL (“less than truckload”) shipping costs as an example. LTL trucking in Minnesota is just one of the services we offer, and we’re happy to explain a bit more about our process and how we determine the client’s costs.

What is LTL shipping?

If you have a lower quantity of goods that won’t take up an entire truckload, then LTL shipping with K-Way Express, Inc. may be right for you. LTL shipping means that your goods will be part of a truckload with those of other clients, lowering costs for everyone since the fuller a truck is, the less expensive it generally is to move to its destination. LTL shipping gives you the flexibility to move cargo that might not be huge in size or in quantity, while still feeling confident that you’re getting the service and attention you need from a first-class transportation company.

What determines LTL classes?

As a general rule, the more difficult or inefficient it is to ship something, the higher the freight class will be and the more expensive it will be for the client to ship the goods. Something that can be easily packed onto a stackable 4” x 4” pallet is really the “ideal” cargo—it’s easy to pack, easy to load, easy to stack and easy to unload at its final destination. On the other hand, objects that are an odd shape or size or that have a low density are the most expensive to move around—think ping-pong balls, for example. LTL trucking in Minnesota is all about density, handling, liability and stowability, and we’d be more than happy to talk you in greater detail about where your intended cargo might land on these scales.

What is an NMFC code?

Once you’ve determined the size and density of your cargo, we can figure out the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code that determines the cost—basically, it will be one of 18 freight classes between 50 and 500. These codes make sure everyone is operating on a level playing field and that LTL trucking in Minnesota is kept efficient and low-cost for all clients. Some goods (like auto transmissions) have an automatic code that doesn’t depend on their size or weight, while others aren’t so clear cut—working with a pro can help you figure these out.

Whether it’s the first time you’ve shipped cargo using a trucking company or you do this all the time, there’s always something to learn. K-Way Express, Inc. is a second-generation family-owned business, so we’ve seen all kinds of things in the last 70 years that we’re able to use to give our clients the inside track on value and efficiency. We take pride in working closely with every single client, and would love to work with you next. Reach out to us to arrange a consultation.