Why Freight Class 85 Packaging and Pricing Matters in LTL Shipping

Premier Global Logistics

·January 31, 2026

·10 min read

Why Freight Class 85 Packaging and Pricing Matters in LTL Shipping — Image Source: unsplash

Freight class 85 packaging and pricing affect your LTL shipping costs and how fast your items arrive. If you pick the wrong class or use bad packaging, you might pay extra fees and your shipment could be late. About 25% of LTL shipments get checked again or weighed again, which can make your shipping cost go up by 10%.

Billing mistakes can make big companies lose a lot of money each year.
Arguments about the class can make your delivery late by up to three days.

You can stop these problems by using smart ways to package and price your shipments.

Key Takeaways

Picking the right freight class, like Class 85, saves money and makes shipping faster. Good packaging keeps your things safe and stops extra charges. Use strong pallets and wrap items tightly. Always measure and weigh your shipments the right way to stop expensive changes and slowdowns. Check your freight class codes and paperwork before you ship to follow rules and avoid errors. You can ask a freight broker for help with packaging, prices, and shipping tips.

Why Freight Class 85 Matters in LTL Shipping

Cost and Efficiency Impacts

You need to understand why freight class 85 plays a big role in ltl shipping. This freight classification sits in the middle range, which means your shipping cost is not the lowest but also not the highest. When you ship items like furniture parts or industrial goods, you often use this freight class. The density for freight class 85 usually falls between 12 and 13.49 pounds per cubic foot. This range affects how much you pay and how carriers handle your freight.

Freight Class	Pounds per Cubic Foot (PCF)	Examples
Class 85	12 – 13.49	Furniture parts, industrial items

Carriers use freight classification to decide how to load and move your shipment. If you use the right freight shipping class, you help carriers plan space and reduce wasted room. This makes the whole ltl shipping process smoother and faster. You also avoid delays because your freight fits well with other shipments.

You can see how different items in freight class 85 affect cost and efficiency:

Freight Class	Description	Cost Range
85	Crated machinery, transmissions, clutches, doors, CDs/DVDs	12 – 13.5

When you use the correct freight classification, you keep your rates fair and avoid paying more than needed.

Risk of Reclassification

If you do not follow the right freight classification, you face the risk of reclassification. This happens when the carrier checks your shipment and finds it does not match the declared class. Reclassification can raise your shipping cost and slow down delivery.

Freight class 85 items often need special packaging. Many of these goods are fragile or need extra care. If you do not package them well, your freight may get damaged. Carriers may also deny claims if they find poor packaging or wrong freight classification. Proper packaging protects your shipment and keeps your claims safe.

Tip: Always double-check your freight classification and packaging before shipping. This helps you avoid extra fees and keeps your freight moving on time.

By understanding why freight class 85 matters, you can control your shipping cost, keep your freight safe, and make ltl shipping more efficient.

Understanding Freight Class 85

NMFC Classification Basics

It is important to know how the National Motor Freight Classification system works. This system puts items into groups. It looks at how easy things are to move, how much space they use, and if they might get damaged. The NMFC gives each shipment a freight shipping class. It checks four things: density, stowability, handling, and liability.

Freight class 85 is in the middle of the NMFC chart. Items in this class are not the heaviest or the lightest. These items often need more care or can break more easily. This can change your shipping price and how carriers move your freight.

Here is a simple table that shows how NMFC rules compare for different classes:

Class	Density Range (lb/ft³)	Typical Commodities
85	12–13.5	Crated machinery, metal fixtures

Tip: If you know your freight classification, you can avoid extra charges and keep your shipments moving without problems.

Density and Typical Commodities

Freight density is very important in freight classification. You find freight density by dividing the weight by the volume. If your shipment is between 12 and 13.5 pounds per cubic foot, it is probably freight class 85.

Here are some examples of items and their density ranges:

Freight Class	Examples of Commodities	PCF Range
85	Prepared food, Cotton/synthetic cloth fibre, bales, rolls	12-13.5

You will often see these types of freight in class 85:

Furniture and home goods
Appliances and electronics
Machinery parts and equipment
Consumer packaged goods
Automotive parts

When you know the right freight classification, you can pack your items better and avoid expensive errors. Knowing about freight density and what goods are in this class helps you plan your shipments and save money.

Freight Class 85 Packaging and Pricing

Packaging Requirements

You must follow rules for freight class 85 packaging and pricing. Good packaging keeps your items safe and helps you avoid extra costs. When you get your shipment ready, remember these steps:

Use strong pallets. Do not let items stick out.
Wrap your freight with shrink-wrap or straps. This keeps things from moving.
Put fragile or weird-shaped items in strong boxes or crates.
Spread the weight evenly on each pallet. This stops damage and makes loading easier.
Put the right freight class codes and NMFC numbers on every pallet.

If you do not do these things, you might pay more or get broken goods. Bad packaging can mean more handling, which makes shipping cost more. Fragile items without good protection can break, so you pay more for insurance. Odd shapes or hard-to-stack freight waste space in the truck, so you pay extra. If workers need to do more, your price goes up.

Tip: Always check your freight class codes and packaging before you ship. This helps you follow the rules and keeps your freight moving fast.

A real example shows why better packaging matters. A company that makes car lights saved 40% on shipping by using better packaging and a better freight class. You can save money and avoid trouble if you follow these steps.

Pricing Factors

Freight class 85 packaging and pricing depend on a few main things. You should know what changes your shipping cost. The table below shows the main points:

Factor	Description
Dimensions	The length, width, and height of your shipment. Mistakes here can lead to extra charges.
Weight	The total weight, including packaging, sets your base cost.
Density	Calculated as weight divided by volume. Lower density means higher freight class and higher rates.
Stow-ability	How well your freight fits with other items. Hard-to-stack items cost more.
Handling	If your freight needs special care or equipment, your price goes up.
Liability	Risk of theft or damage affects your cost, especially for fragile or valuable items.

You also need to watch out for extra fees called accessorial charges. These are for things like liftgate delivery or inside pickup. They can make your cost go up fast. Changes in density can also change your freight class. If your shipment is less dense, you might move to a higher class and pay more. Freight class 85 is for items with a density of 12–15 pounds per cubic foot. If your density is lower, your price can go up by 25%.

Here are some ways extra fees and density changes affect your price:

Carriers charge more for extra services, so your cost goes up.
If your density is too low, your freight class changes, and you pay more.
Items with very low density can move to class 500, which costs much more.

You can keep your costs down by measuring your freight right and using good packaging. Using the right freight class codes and strong packaging helps you avoid extra fees. This keeps your shipping easy and your costs steady.

Optimizing LTL Shipping for Class 85

Tips for Shippers

You can make your ltl shipping easier and save money by following a simple checklist. When you get your freight ready, focus on being correct and following the rules. Here is a helpful checklist you can use:

Give full details about your item, like its name, what it is made of, how it is used, and how it is packed.
Measure and weigh every shipment carefully. Always add the weight of the packaging and pallet.
Find the density by dividing the total weight by the volume in cubic feet.
Check your chosen freight shipping class with your carrier and give them all the needed papers.
Put the right NMFC code and class on each pallet.
Teach your team to use the NMFC database and spot handling risks.
Keep records of how you picked your class and who approved it.

Tip: Use a transportation management system (TMS) to watch real-time data and reports. Many shippers save 10-15% on shipping costs when they use technology to plan and check their shipments.

You should also look out for mistakes that can make your shipping cost more or cause delays. These mistakes often lead to reclassification or extra fees:

Using old or guessed freight classes instead of checking with the NMFC.
Rounding up or down on size instead of measuring exactly.
Not adding packaging or pallet weight to your numbers.
Guessing shipment details instead of using exact measurements.
Forgetting about liability or special handling needs.

About 25% of freight shipments get checked again or weighed again, which can make your cost go up and slow down delivery. If you want to stop these problems, always check your measurements and paperwork twice.

You can also save money by putting smaller shipments together into one big shipment. This often lowers your shipping cost for each item. Look at different carrier choices and talk about prices to get the best deal for your needs.

For more help with packaging and paperwork, you can visit the NMFTA website or see our LTL shipping resources.

Role of Freight Brokers

Freight brokers help you manage class 85 shipments. They have special knowledge and tools that make shipping easier and more correct. Here is how a broker can help you:

Use online freight class and density calculators to pick the right class.
Tell you how to pack your items to meet carrier rules and lower risk.
Stay up to date on NMFTA changes and help you change your shipping steps.
Remove manual math, which lowers the chance of mistakes.
Lower the risk of reclassification and extra charges during shipping.
Make your shipping process faster and more reliable.

A good broker can also help you get better shipping prices by checking many carriers and using their knowledge. They can check your shipments, look at your paperwork, and give tips to help you keep costs down.

Many shippers use brokers for help all the time. For example, companies like Mercer Transportation have teams that know how density and freight type affect your total cost. Their advice helps you avoid expensive mistakes and keeps your freight moving without problems.

Note: Talking to a freight broker or third-party logistics provider can help you feel less worried. You get expert help with classifying, packing, and talking about prices, which makes your shipping costs easier to handle.

By using these tips and working with skilled brokers, you can make your class 85 shipments better, avoid common mistakes, and have more control over your shipping.

Getting freight class 85 packaging and pricing correct helps you save money. It also keeps your LTL shipments moving as planned. If you measure everything right and use strong packaging, you will not pay extra fees. This also helps stop delays and damage.

Look at your packaging to make it denser and not use too much material.
Make sure all shipment details, papers, and labels are correct.
Ask experts for help to make your process better.

Freight Class Range	Characteristics	Impact on Shipping Cost
50–85	Dense, tough, simple to move	Cheapest to ship
150–500	Light, easy to break, big	Costs more to ship

Take a moment to check what you do now. Talk to a freight broker if you need more help.

FAQ

Why does correct packaging matter for freight class 85?

Good packaging keeps your shipment safe from damage. It also helps you avoid extra charges and late shipments. Carriers want freight that is safe and easy to stack. If you use strong packaging, you meet these rules. This makes your shipping costs easier to guess.

Why can my shipment get reclassified?

Carriers change your shipment’s class if the packaging, density, or details are wrong. This can make your shipping cost more and take longer to deliver. Giving the right information helps you stop these problems.

Why should you check density before shipping?

Density changes your freight class and price. If you measure wrong, you might pay extra. Always check the weight and size to keep your shipment in the right class.

Why do accessorial charges increase my shipping cost?

Accessorial charges are for extra things like liftgate delivery or inside pickup. If your shipment needs special care, you pay more. You can save money by getting your freight ready for normal service.

Why use a freight broker for class 85 shipments?

A freight broker helps you choose the right class and pack your items the right way. They also help you find good prices. You get expert help and avoid expensive mistakes. Brokers also help with paperwork and claims.