Classification Details
| NMFC | Description | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 98820.00 | Hides, Pelts or Skins, dressed or tanned, and fur, hair, or wool not removed: | |
| 98840.00 | Cattle, Goat, Horse, Rabbit or Sheep, in bales, boxes or drums | 100 |
| 98860.00 | Clippings or Scraps, cattle, goat, horse or sheep, in bags, bales, boxes or drums | 70 |
| 98880.00 | Clippings or Scraps, rabbit: | |
| 98880.01 | In bags, or in bales not machine pressed | 100 |
| 98880.02 | In machine pressed bales or in boxes | 85 |
| 98900.00 | Clippings or Scraps, NOI, in packages | 100 |
| 98930.00 | Deer, Elk, Buffalo or Bear, with heads stuffed and left attached, in boxes or drums | 200 |
How to Determine Your Class
To find the correct freight class for your shipment:
- State the commodity clearly on the BOL: “Dressed hides/pelts, hair-on — NMFC 98820,” with box count and weight, and request no top-stacking to protect pile quality.
- Use boxes with breathable liners: line cartons with kraft or perforated poly, interleave each hide with acid‑free tissue, and avoid vacuum sealing to prevent moisture trapping.
- Roll or fold hides loosely with hair inward, sleeve each piece, and cushion inside the box with void fill; add edge protection to stop abrasion and hair matting during transit.
- Verify species compliance (CITES/USFWS) for exotic pelts and include permits in the doc pouch; add absorbent sheets for residual oils and schedule pickups to avoid high heat/humidity.
Note: All classifications are subject to Item 170. Verify with official NMFC publications for the most current requirements.
Business Value
- Accurate NMFC usage across the 70–200 range reduces reclass fees and surprise adjustments, stabilizing landed costs.
- Proper hair/fur protection minimizes claims from matting, shedding, and odor transfer, preserving hide grade and resale value.
- Non-hazardous status simplifies tendering and expands carrier options, accelerating LTL booking and transit.
- Uniform boxed units improve cube efficiency and handling, supporting better freight rates and faster cross-dock turns.