Classification Details
| NMFC | Description | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 20580.00 | Show more | |
| 20580.01 | Less than 1 | 400 |
| 20580.02 | 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 20580.03 | 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 20580.04 | 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 20580.05 | 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 20580.06 | 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 20580.07 | 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 20580.08 | 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 20580.09 | 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 20580.10 | 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 20580.11 | 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 20580.12 | 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 20580.13 | 50 or greater | 50 |
Notes
Note 20581: NOTE-Applies only on bags or covers that completely enclose a mattress.
Note 20582: NOTE-Will only apply on bags other than traveling or carrying bags or cases, briefcases, portfolios or envelope-type carrying pouches.
How to Determine Your Class
To find the correct freight class for your shipment:
- Determine density first: measure each shipping box (L×W×H), divide the total weight by cubic feet, then select the matching Class 50–400 per Item 170.
- Pack by subtype and note packaging: deflated dunnage airbags must ship in boxes as Package 2224; retail plastic roasting bags stay in their boxed units to avoid reclass.
- Line-item clarity prevents disputes: list material and form, e.g., “Bags NOI, cloth filter, NMFC 20580, 10.5 PCF, Class 70” separate from “paper shopping bags with handles.”
- Protect fragile or handled items: for paper gift/shopping bags or thin film pouches, use rigid boxes, avoid over-compression, and add corner/edge protection to keep handles and seams intact.
Note: All classifications are subject to Item 170. Verify with official NMFC publications for the most current requirements.
Business Value
- Lower freight class through densification: compress burlap/jute or right-size cartons to raise PCF and drop to a cheaper class.
- Avoid re-bills by packaging to spec: using Package 2224 for deflated airbags and boxing retail units prevents inspections, fees, and delays.
- Cleaner BOL descriptions speed carrier handling: density, packaging type (boxes or packages), and NOI notes reduce exception handling and claims.
- SKU-level separation improves rate shopping: quoting cloth filter bags apart from paper shopping bags yields more accurate LTL rates and fewer reweigh/reclass events.