NMFC 187200 - Trays | Class N/A

To find the correct freight class for your shipment:

1. Identify the tray material and use case on the BOL, such as plastic serving trays, metal instrument trays, or paperboard bakery trays, to steer the carrier to the correct item and class.
2. Nest trays tightly to boost density and add protection: example, 24 nested plastic trays per carton with kraft interleaves, poly bagging to prevent scuffs, and corner boards around rims.
3. Palletize to protect exposed edges: use a slip sheet, avoid pallet overhang, cap the load, then stretch wrap and band. Mark max stack height and add Do Not Stack if rims are fragile.
4. Note sensitivities: keep food-grade trays bagged and clean, shield plastic trays from heat in trailers, and add VCI paper or desiccant for bare steel trays to avoid corrosion.

Note: All classifications are subject to Item 170. Verify with official NMFC publications for the most current requirements.

• Clear material and packaging details reduce reclass and inspection fees, cutting surprise rebills tied to ambiguous tray descriptions.
• Optimized nesting and right-size cartons raise density and shrink cube, improving LTL freight rates and overall shipping cost per tray.
• Edge and rim protection lowers claim frequency on brittle or coated trays, preserving margins and customer satisfaction.
• Consistent specs (nest count, carton count, pallet pattern) speed quoting and pickups, enabling reliable transit plans and fewer carrier exceptions.