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LTL Freight Class & NMFC Shipping Codes

Freight Class is an integral part
of the less than truckload (LTL)
shipping Process..

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Freight Class is an integral part of the less than truckload (LTL) shipping industry, but one that most new brewery owners are confused by. National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) codes are a designation used to group commodities into one of 18 classifications, ranging from 50 to 500. LTL freight classes define categories of items, whereas NMFC codes are related to specific commodities in each of the 18 freight classes.

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“
As someone who frequently moves beer across the country, Brew Movers is an invaluable resource. They make our lives so much easier and their customer service is phenomenal!

— Kenny G, Hopculture
“
“Working with Brew Movers this past year has truly been a dream come true for the Deutsche Family and we look forward to the great service and quick turn arounds of our shipments in 2020 thank you so much to everyone at Brew Movers

— Doug, Deutsche Beverage Technology
“
Brew Movers has helped us transport brewery equipment, beer for out of state festivals, and beer ingredients several times over the past two years without any apprehension. The aggressive pricing and the quick response times means I will continue to use them whenever possible in the future.

— Jamie, Head Brewer & Owner: Southern Grist Brewery
“
We have used Brew Movers for shipping everything from a few cases to a 10 barrel system with great results! The Brew Movers crew is always super speedy and professional. So happy we made the switch!

— Megan, Business Mgr - Side Project Brewing
“
Brew Movers is the best in the business. Got hired on with my company with little knowledge in truckload shipping and LTL. Maria and Laura taught me everything I know today! They are the best! Both have pulled off some real magic, getting recovery trucks when things go wrong is never a problem for them! Love this company!

— Ryan Castro
“
Great team to work with. Excellent communication are their team and their online tracking platform and dashboard are so helpful. They are very customer focused and have always taken good care of us.

— Matt Virgil
“
Always enjoy working with Brandon and the Brew Movers team. Solid company with logistics experience to boot.

— Elijah-Blue Vieau
“
Brew Movers is a fantastic freight company that specializes in shipping beer and brewing supplies. Their customer service is best in class, and I'd recommend them to any company looking for affordable freight rates in the US and Canada.

— Chantelle Stone
“
Brandon and his crew were amazing to work with. They shipped an entire brewhouse for us. Truck arrived on time and nothing was damaged. I highly recommend these guys for any equipment shipping or tank shipping needs.

— Martin S
“
We have been using Brew Movers and we are extremely pleased with them. Whenever we can, we prefer to ship with them! Great customer service: Not only do we get a promptly response regarding estimates, but outstanding communication from pickup to final delivery. Brandon is our rep, and he always finds the best shipping costs, as well as getting last minute shipping arrangements, all done with a smile over the phone and the courtesy of getting the job done properly. I highly recommend this company!

— Christina Rowe

How LTL Shipping Rates
Are Calculated

  • Weight
  • Linear Feet
  • Standard Local Pick Up
  • Delivery Fee
  • Service Requirements

Estimated Load Weight 

LTL carriers determine your shipment rate by calculating your product’s class plus your product’s weight. This is why it is important to provide a precise estimated load weight. With LTL, you are paying the carrier on a weight-based rate. If you estimate the weight too high, any excess goes to the LTL carrier. Estimate too low and you’ll pay for the extra weight plus a reweigh fee. This includes pallet weight (a standard pallet weighs approximately 25 lbs and a heavy-duty pallet weighs approximately 50 lbs).

Linear Feet

In accordance with the linear foot rule, shipments that occupy 10 linear feet or more of trailer space are charged 1,000 pounds per foot. In most cases, there must be at least five single-stacked pallets or 10 double-stacked pallets to abide by this rule. If your palletized freight cannot be stacked, it has a larger footprint and therefore costs more to ship.

Standard Local Pick Up 

Freight can also be priced according to the distance it has to travel to get to its destination. If your freight has to travel longer distances, it will likely cost more. The trucking industry typically breaks down the length of haul (LOH) as follows:
  • Short-Haul (less than 250 miles)
  • Mid-Haul (250 to 400 miles)
  • Tweener (401 to 800 miles)
  • Long-Haul (801 to 1,200 miles)
  • Extended-Haul (more than 1,200 miles)

Delivery Fee

Delivery fees exist to cover the costs of bringing the freight to where it needs to be shipped. The way that these fees are broken down depends on how the LTL shipping company operates.  To learn more about Brew Movers’ delivery fees, please contact us.

Service Requirements 

Carriers may charge additional charges for services they provide in addition to the basic terminal-to-terminal service. This can include drop trailers, tarping, tailgate service, protection against freezing, extra wait time (detention penalties), and pickups/deliveries from private residences.

Detention Penalty 

When a truck has to wait more than two hours to get loaded or unloaded, you’ll pay a detention penalty fee which ranges from $50 per hour and up.

The characteristics used to determine which
class a product belongs to include:

Freight Class Density Icon

Density

Based on its dimensions and weight, an item’s density can be calculated. As density increases, classes become lower and ultimately, costs become lower.

Shipment’s Stowability Icon

Stowability:

A shipment’s stowability refers to its ability to fit comfortably with other freight in the transport vehicle, taking into account hazardous shipments or items of unusual dimensions that make it difficult to load cargo around them.

Freight Class Handling Icon

Handling

The handling of the freight includes loading and unloading the freight from LTL terminal to LTL terminal. How difficult it is to handle an item depends on its dimensions, fragility, and packaging.

Freight Class Liability Icon

Liability

Liability considers the likelihood of damaged or stolen shipments or damage to other adjacent freight.

An NMFC code is associated with every item transported through LTL shipping. This type of shipping is used for the transportation of smaller freight or when freight does not use an entire trailer, typically weighing between 150 and 15,000 pounds.

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How LTL Shipping Rates
Are Calculated

1

Weight

2

Linear Feet

3

Standard Local
Pick Up

4

Delivery Fee

5

Service
Requirements

service requirements

Carriers may charge additional charges for services they provide in addition to the basic terminal-to-terminal service. This can include drop trailers, tarping, tailgate service, protection against freezing, extra wait time (detention penalties), and pickups/deliveries from private residences.

linear feet

In accordance with the linear foot rule, shipments that occupy 10 linear feet or more of trailer space are charged 1,000 pounds per foot. In most cases, there must be at least five single-stacked pallets or 10 double-stacked pallets to abide by this rule. If your palletized freight cannot be stacked, it has a larger footprint and therefore costs more to ship.

delivery fee

Delivery fees exist to cover the costs of bringing the freight to where it needs to be shipped. The way that these fees are broken down depends on how the LTL Shipping Company operates.

To learn more about Brew Movers’ delivery fees, Please Contact Us.

detention penalty

When a truck has to wait more than two hours to get loaded or unloaded, you’ll pay a detention penalty fee which ranges from $50 per hour and up.

Estimated Load
Weight

LTL carriers determine your shipment rate by calculating your product’s class plus your product’s weight. This is why it is important to provide a precise estimated load weight. With LTL, you are paying the carrier on a weight-based rate. If you estimate the weight too high, any excess goes to the LTL carrier. Estimate too low and you’ll pay for the extra weight plus a reweigh fee.

This includes pallet weight (a standard pallet weighs approximately 25 lbs and a heavy-duty pallet weighs approximately 50 lbs).

standard local
pick up

Freight can also be priced according to the distance it has to travel to get to its destination. If your freight has to travel longer distances, it will likely cost more. The trucking industry typically breaks down the length of haul (LOH) as follows:

  • Short-Haul (less than 250 miles) 
  • Mid-Haul (250 to 400 miles)
  • Tweener (401 to 800 miles)
  • Long-Haul (801 to 1,200 miles)
  • Extended-Haul (more than 1,200 miles)

LTL Shipping &
Product Classes for Beer

Beer is typically shipped as Class 65 with NMFC code 111470. In certain situations, the class may change. It is important to know your product’s class or NMFC code prior to booking freight.

Below are the most common classes or NMFC codes that
breweries use for full pallets:

CLASS 65

NMFC CODE 111470

BEER

FULL PRODUCT

GLASS OR CAN CASES

ALL KEG SIZES

(HB) CLASS 100

NMFC CODE 174610-06

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/2BBL KEGS

(SB) CLASS 92.5

NMFC CODE 174610-07

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/6BBL KEGS

(QB) CLASS 92.5

NMFC CODE 174610-07

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/4BBL KEGS

CLASS 60

NMFC CODE 73277

FRUIT

PUREE

CLASS 70

NMFC CODE 99992

HOPS

PELLETS COMPRESSED

CLASS 100

NMFC CODE 99992

EMPTY KEGS

LOOSE

FLOWERS

LIGHTER PER BOX

CLASS 70

NMFC CODE 87700-09

GLASS

EMPTY BOTTLES

CARBOYS

CLASS 65

NMFC CODE 111470

BEER

FULL PRODUCT

GLASS OR CAN CASES

ALL KEG SIZES

(HB) CLASS 100

NMFC CODE 174610-06

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/2BBL KEGS

(SB) CLASS 92.5

NMFC CODE 174610-07

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/6BBL KEGS

(QB) CLASS 92.5

NMFC CODE 174610-07

EMPTY KEGS

SHIP 3 PALLETS HIGH PER STACK

1/4BBL KEGS

CLASS 60

NMFC CODE 73277

FRUIT

PUREE

CLASS 70

NMFC CODE 99992

HOPS

PELLETS COMPRESSED

CLASS 100

NMFC CODE 99992

EMPTY KEGS

LOOSE

FLOWERS

LIGHTER PER BOX

CLASS 70

NMFC CODE 87700-09

GLASS

EMPTY BOTTLES

CARBOYS

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