# Freight classification system

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> As soon as a shipment arrives at a carrier's facility, it enters a freight classification system: a standardized procedure that captures weight, dimensions, density, handling requirements, and hazard characteristics, then assigns the cargo to a freight class.

As soon as a shipment arrives at a carrier's facility, it enters a freight classification system: a standardized procedure that captures weight, dimensions, density, handling requirements, and hazard characteristics, then assigns the cargo to a freight class. Depending on the level of automation, this assignment runs automatically or semi-automatically, ensuring consistent rate calculation regardless of which staff member processes the shipment. Modern systems are typically integrated into transportation management software (TMS), significantly reducing manual data entry and misclassification risk. A widely known example in North American less-than-truckload (LTL) freight is the NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification), which groups commodities into 18 freight classes. Unlike customs tariff classification under the Harmonized System, a freight classification system serves primarily internal rate calculation and operational control.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Motor_Freight_Classification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Motor_Freight_Classification)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Freight classification system |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 123 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Motor_Freight_Classification |

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