Classification Details
| NMFC | Description | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 59240.00 | Sea Grass, Sea Moss or Seaweed: | |
| 59250.00 | Agar-Agar (Bengal Isinglass or Ceylon Moss), in bags, bales, boxes or drums | 200 |
| 59260.00 | Carrageen (Irish Moss), in bales, boxes or drums | 85 |
| 59280.00 | Kelp, dried or ground, in bags | 60 |
| 59300.00 | NOI: | |
| 59300.01 | In bags, boxes or drums, or in bales not machine pressed | 85 |
| 59300.02 | In machine pressed bales | 70 |
How to Determine Your Class
To find the correct freight class for your shipment:
- Match the product form—dried sheets/flakes, milled powder, capsules, or gel—and select the appropriate subclass under NMFC 59240 for boxed shipments.
- Control moisture and odor: line cartons with food‑grade poly, double‑bag powders to stop sifting, and add desiccants to protect iodine‑rich botanicals.
- Document clearly on the BOL: “NMFC 59240 – Sea Moss/Seaweed, Non‑Hazardous,” include botanical name (e.g., Chondrus crispus) and lot numbers, and list box count.
- Plan handling: keep boxes upright, limit stack height for fragile dried blades, and mark “Top Load Only” if jars of gel are packed inside boxes.
Note: All classifications are subject to Item 170. Verify with official NMFC publications for the most current requirements.
Business Value
- Selecting the correct class within 60–200 can lower LTL rates for dried bulk seaweed, preserving margins on high‑volume nutraceutical and cosmetic inputs.
- Non‑hazardous status eliminates hazmat surcharges and speeds tendering, improving pickup reliability for personal care and supplement supply chains.
- Packaging aligned with NMFC (sealed liners in boxes) reduces moisture damage and leakage, cutting OS&D claims and costly reships.
- Precise BOL naming with the NMFC article minimizes reclass/rebill risk, delivering predictable quotes and cleaner audits across lanes.