NMFC 48920 - Cloth & Fabric Textiles | Class N/A

Note 48921: NOTE-Except where otherwise specified, provisions subject to this grouping do not apply on cloth, fabric, dry goods or textiles that require temperature control during transit.

To find the correct freight class for your shipment:

1. Start with Note item 48921 to pick the precise sub-item based on fiber type (cotton, polyester, blends), construction (woven, knit), and treatments (coated, FR). Example: cotton muslin bolts vs. vinyl‑coated canvas.
2. Select packaging to match the fabric form: rolls on 3-inch cores with end caps, banded bolts with corner boards, compressed bales with liners, or cartons for sample swatches. Add moisture barrier if transiting humid lanes.
3. Palletize textiles tight and square on 48x40 pallets; avoid overhang and lay roll cores parallel to pallet deck boards. Use stretch wrap plus strapping to prevent telescoping and edge abrasion.
4. On the BOL, note “NMFC 48920 — see Note item 48921” and list the chosen sub-item once confirmed. Don’t rely on density; classification follows the sub-item rules, not dimensional weight.

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

• Cut reclass and inspection charges by referencing Note 48921 and selecting the correct textile sub-item the first time.
• Protect margins with packaging that reduces crush, moisture, and odor claims on high-surface-area fabrics, keeping credits and replacements to a minimum.
• Speed quoting and tendering for mixed textile SKUs by using 48920 as a starting point, then finalizing the exact sub-item only where needed.
• Improve carrier acceptance and transit reliability with clean labeling, roll counts, and fiber details that streamline dock checks and prevent holds.