Know each pallet's freight class before the carrier's dimensioner does
Much of the NMFC now classifies freight by density, and carriers measure every pallet. Class Margin works out the density class for each product and pallet set-up you ship, shows how close it sits to the next breakpoint, and gives you BOL lines that match what the dock will measure.
Updated
- Density in pounds per cubic foot for each handling unit, from your weights and outside dimensions as tendered, including the pallet.
- A flag on every set-up within 5% of a class breakpoint, which is the margin NMFTA suggests for light and medium loads on 48 × 40 pallets.
- The height or pack change needed to clear the breakpoint, plus BOL descriptions and a dispute kit for the reclass bills you already have.
On the density scale, a pallet at 15.0 lb per cubic foot ships at class 70 and at 14.9 at class 85. NMFTA advises designing light and medium loads on 48 × 40 pallets at least 5% above the threshold, because reclassification only moves freight up (NMFTA, 22 October 2026).
Source: nmfta.orgFedEx Freight's reweigh fee is $38 when the measured weight differs from the BOL by more than 50 pounds, per its 100-X rules tariff as reported in July 2025.
Source: supplychaindive.comThe class on your BOL is no longer the class you pay
Many shippers still use a freight class picked years ago from a commodity description. Since the NMFC moved most items to one density scale, the class depends on pounds per cubic foot, measured on the pallet as tendered. Carriers measure with dimensioners and scales, and a reclass only ever goes one way: up.
The breakpoints are sharp. A pallet at 15.0 pounds per cubic foot is class 70; at 14.9 it is class 85. A loose stretch-wrap or an extra half-inch of headspace can push a whole product line over the line, and every reweigh and reclass arrives as a separate correction with its own fee.
Fixing it is a spreadsheet job nobody owns: measure each set-up, calculate density, find the item and sub, spot the risky ones, update the BOL template. Class Margin does it once for your whole catalog.
Without it
- NMFTA ClassIT+: The official NMFC lookup: $371 per year for a single non-member seat, less per seat for larger teams, annual billing…
- Free reweigh and reclass audit tools: Warp offers a free tool that checks a billed reweigh or reclass against the density from your dimensions (checked 7…
- Contingency freight audit firms: They recover overcharges for a share of the savings, with percentages usually quoted case by case. That suits big…
With Class Margin
- Density in pounds per cubic foot for each handling unit, from your weights and outside dimensions as tendered, including the pallet.
- A flag on every set-up within 5% of a class breakpoint, which is the margin NMFTA suggests for light and medium loads on 48 × 40 pallets.
- The height or pack change needed to clear the breakpoint, plus BOL descriptions and a dispute kit for the reclass bills you already have.
- Density per handling unit
- Item and sub check
How it works
- 1
Send your shipping set-ups
A spreadsheet of SKUs or pallet set-ups with packed weight and outside dimensions, pallet included. We send a template; a photo of a typical pallet helps.
- 2
We calculate and classify
For each handling unit we calculate pounds per cubic foot and the class on the density scale. Where you or your carrier already use an NMFC item and sub, we record it; items that may carry their own class are flagged for you to confirm.
- 3
We find the risky ones
Every set-up within 5% of a breakpoint is flagged, or within 6% for loads under about 400 lb and 40 inches tall, following NMFTA's guidance. We show the height or pack change that clears it.
- 4
You get the file and the BOL lines
Delivered in 3 to 5 business days: the classified catalog, BOL description text per set-up, a one-page summary of the risky set-ups and their cost, and a dispute kit for recent reclass bills.
Features
Density per handling unit
Weight divided by cubic feet from the outside dimensions as tendered, including the pallet and any overhang. The method matches the NMFTA density calculator, and the working is shown in the file.
Item and sub check
We record the NMFC item and density sub you or your carrier use and check the class against your measured density. Items that may carry a fixed class are flagged for you to confirm in ClassIT+ or with your carrier.
Breakpoint margin
For each set-up: the density, the class, the next breakpoint below, and the margin in percent. Anything under your target margin turns red.
Height and pack fixes
The target height that clears the breakpoint, using NMFTA's rule: current height × current density ÷ target density. Overhang and leaning loads are noted where your photos show them.
BOL lines that match
The NMFC item, sub, class, handling-unit count and dimensions written as BOL description text, so your TMS or carrier portal template can be updated in one pass.
Reclass dispute kit
For corrections from the last 90 days: which bills disagree with your measured density, what evidence to ask for (scale ticket or inspection report), and a dispute letter for each.
A look inside
What you get: the working view and the delivery report.
Illustration of the layout, built from this page's own feature list. It shows no real results.
Who it's for
Manufacturers and distributors
You ship dozens of SKUs LTL every week on an old class list. You get one classified catalog and a BOL template your shipping team can trust.
E-commerce brands with wholesale or B2B pallets
Retail replenishment goes out LTL and reclass bills arrive weeks later. You learn which cartons and pallet heights cost you a class, and how to fix them.
Small 3PLs and freight brokers
Your customers hand you wrong classes and you absorb the corrections. Order a catalog per customer and send them BOL lines that hold up at the dock.
Works with
- Excel and Google Sheets
- CSV exports from Shopify, NetSuite, QuickBooks and other ERPs
- TMS and carrier portal BOL templates
- Carrier correction notices and invoices (PDF)
- NMFTA density calculator method
- Dimensioner and scale readings you already have
Pricing
One-time prices per catalog, paid once after we confirm the scope by email. Every plan starts with a check of five SKUs. A set-up is one product on one pallet or packing configuration. NMFTA's own ClassIT+ web app costs $371 per year for a single non-member seat, billed annually, with lower per-seat prices for more seats (checked 7 November 2026). Founding customer pricing applies to early-access orders.
Orders are subject to the Class Margin terms.
Catalog
$149 one-time
Up to 50 set-ups
- Density and class per set-up
- NMFC item and sub recorded and checked
- Breakpoint margin flags
- BOL description text
- Delivered in 3 business days
Catalog Plus
$349 one-time
Up to 250 set-ups
- Everything in Catalog
- Height and pack fixes for risky set-ups
- Reclass dispute kit for the last 90 days
- Item 640 mixed-pallet note and one update
- 30-minute review call
- Delivered in 5 business days
Full Range
$790 one-time
Up to 1,000 set-ups
- Everything in Catalog Plus
- Separate files per warehouse or customer
- Cost estimate of the risky set-ups from your lanes
- Re-check of 50 changed set-ups within 90 days
- Delivered in 5 to 8 business days
Compared with the alternatives
- NMFTA ClassIT+
- The official NMFC lookup: $371 per year for a single non-member seat, less per seat for larger teams, annual billing only (checked 7 November 2026). It suits teams classifying new products every week. You still have to measure, calculate and build the catalog yourself.
- Free reweigh and reclass audit tools
- Warp offers a free tool that checks a billed reweigh or reclass against the density from your dimensions (checked 7 November 2026). Useful after the bill. Class Margin works on the catalog before you ship.
- Contingency freight audit firms
- They recover overcharges for a share of the savings, with percentages usually quoted case by case. That suits big parcel and LTL spend. It does not fix the class on your BOL template.
What changed
- The NMFTA's classification overhaul took effect on 19 July 2025 and moved shipments without handling, stowability or liability issues to a single density-based scale (Supply Chain Dive, 22 July 2025). Source: supplychaindive.com
- On the density scale, a pallet at 15.0 lb per cubic foot ships at class 70 and at 14.9 at class 85. NMFTA advises designing light and medium loads on 48 × 40 pallets at least 5% above the threshold, because reclassification only moves freight up (NMFTA, 22 October 2026). Source: nmfta.org
- NMFC Docket 2026-3 proposes a rewritten Item 640 for shipments with several articles, such as mixed pallets. The public meeting is on 15 December 2026, and the planned effective date is 23 January 2027 (NMFTA, 28 October 2026). Source: nmfta.org
- FedEx Freight's reweigh fee is $38 when the measured weight differs from the BOL by more than 50 pounds, per its 100-X rules tariff as reported in July 2025. Source: supplychaindive.com
From order to classified catalog
Work starts within 2 business days of your confirmation, and catalogs are delivered within 3 to 8 business days depending on the plan.
- Day 1: you send five SKUs and we return the first check.
- Day 2: you send the full set-up list using our template.
- Day 3–5: we classify, flag and write the BOL lines.
- Day 5–8: delivery and, on Catalog Plus and Full Range, a review call.
Security and data
- Your product data is stored encrypted on servers in the EU or US and is only used for your catalog.
- We need no access to your ERP, TMS or carrier accounts. You send exports and receive files.
- Files are kept for 90 days after delivery for questions and re-checks, then deleted, or sooner if you ask.
Questions
Is every product classified by density now?
No. A large part of the NMFC moved to density-based classes, but some items keep their own class, for example because of handling, stowability or liability issues. We flag products that may fall in that group so you can confirm the item.
How do you calculate density?
Weight in pounds divided by cubic feet, where cubic feet is length × width × height in inches divided by 1,728. We use the outside dimensions as tendered, including the pallet and any projections, and round up fractional inches when your carrier's tariff does.
Do I need to measure everything again?
Only set-ups with old or missing data. Many shippers already have packed dimensions in their ERP or WMS, and the five-SKU check at the start shows how reliable they are.
Will this stop all reclass bills?
No one can promise that, because carriers measure within a tolerance and loads shift. The aim is to make every BOL accurate, keep risky set-ups out of the margin, and give you evidence for disputes.
What changes in January 2027?
NMFTA plans a rewritten Item 640 for mixed shipments, effective 23 January 2027 if adopted. If you ship mixed pallets, Catalog Plus and Full Range include one update after the final text is out.
Is this a guarantee of the correct class?
Class Margin is a classification and documentation service, not a carrier ruling or legal advice. The carrier's tariff and the NMFC decide the final class. Where an item is unclear, we say so and suggest asking NMFTA or your carrier.
Fix the class before the carrier fixes it for you
A five-SKU check first, then your whole catalog classified by density, with margins and BOL lines. From $149, once.
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