Furniture & Glass — Two High-Class LTL Categories
Furniture and glass are among the most expensive freight categories per pound. Both share three problems: low density, fragility, and awkward stowability. Class typically lands at 65–200+.
This guide covers common items and how to ship them at the correct freight class.
Common Furniture NMFC Class Ranges
| Item | Typical Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood chairs (KD, boxed) | Class 65–85 | KD = knockdown (flat-packed) = denser = lower class. |
| Wood chairs (assembled) | Class 100–150 | Assembled wastes trailer space. |
| Wood tables / desks (KD) | Class 70–110 | Pallet count and packaging matter. |
| Wood furniture, NOI (assembled) | Class 100–175 | Dressers, armoires, large case goods. |
| Metal furniture (filing cabinets, racks) | Class 60–85 | Dense metal — low class. |
| Office chairs (boxed) | Class 92.5–125 | Plastic + foam = low density. |
| Sofas, loveseats (couches) | Class 150–250 | Foam + fabric = very low density. Common rebill source. |
| Mattresses, boxed | Class 110–175 | King/queen sizes lower density than twin. |
| Mattresses, in mattress bags | Class 175–250 | Bag adds bulk without weight. |
| Bookcases, shelving (assembled) | Class 100–150 | Hollow construction. |
| Beds, headboards (KD) | Class 70–110 | Flat-packed. |
Common Glass & Ceramics NMFC Class Ranges
| Item | Typical Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glass, plate or sheet (crated) | Class 70–110 | Crating is mandatory — uncrated glass is refused or rebilled. |
| Mirror, framed | Class 92.5–150 | Frame + glass = fragile + low density. |
| Glassware, bottles, jars (packed) | Class 70–150 | Master cartons + dividers required. |
| Glass tabletops, mirrors (boxed) | Class 100–175 | Often A-frame crated for safety. |
| Ceramic tile, palletized | Class 55–70 | Dense — among the cheapest to ship. |
| Porcelain / pottery (boxed) | Class 65–110 | Packaging quality drives class. |
| Aquariums, fish tanks (empty) | Class 100–250 | Large volume, fragile. |
| Bathroom fixtures (toilets, sinks) | Class 70–110 | Heavy porcelain. |
Why These Items Get High Class
1. Density killer
A 200lb sofa in a 90×40×40 inch box has density ~3 PCF — Class 250 territory. Even when palletized, density rarely climbs above 8 PCF (Class 110). Furniture pricing is dominated by cubic feet, not weight.
2. Handling = liability premium
Carriers know glass and mirrors break. Even at the same density, fragile items get one class higher than non-fragile.
3. Stowability waste
Tall headboards, wide tabletops, irregular shapes — they prevent stacking. Trailer space waste = class up.
Top 4 Rebill Traps
1. Assembled vs KD furniture
Same chair, KD (knockdown / flat-packed) is Class 65-85 but assembled jumps to Class 100-150. Ship KD whenever possible.
2. Sofa shipped without "Class 200" declaration
Many shippers default to "furniture, Class 100" — carriers will reweigh, remeasure, and rebill at Class 200+. Declare correctly upfront.
3. Glass without crate
Loose or boxed glass plates (not crated) often get refused at pickup. If accepted, carrier will charge crating fee + rebill at higher class.
4. Mattress in bag vs box
Bagged mattress (single layer plastic) = Class 175-250. Boxed = Class 110-150. Use a real box or compress-roll packaging.
How to Get an Accurate LTL Quote
Prepare:
- Origin and destination ZIP
- Commodity name + assembly state (e.g., "wood dining chairs, KD, boxed" or "sofa, fully assembled, palletized")
- Total weight (lbs)
- Dimensions L × W × H (in) — measure widest point
- Pallet or piece count
- Packaging (box, crate, mattress bag, A-frame)
- Fragile flag for glass/mirror items
ShipOnlines auto-calculates class from density and flags fragile items for higher-grade carriers.
Get an LTL freight quote for furniture & glass →
Found your NMFC code? Get ready to quote
After finding the NMFC code / freight class, prepare your origin ZIP, destination ZIP, commodity, weight, dimensions, pallet count, address type (commercial/residential), photos, and accessorial needs such as liftgate, appointment, inside delivery, or limited access. ShipOnlines can help compare LTL, PTL, FTL, drayage, and transloading options.
Related Tools & Articles
- NMFC Code Lookup Tool — search 4,177 NMFC codes
- NMFC Codes for Auto Parts
- NMFC Codes for Electronics
- Freight Class Explained: 18 Classes Guide
NMFC codes and freight classes shown here are a reference estimate — the carrier makes the final classification based on the actual commodity, density, packaging, and NMFC rules. For an accurate LTL quote, prepare your origin/destination ZIP, commodity, weight & dimensions, and pallet count.
Get LTL Quote → NMFC & Class Lookup Address Checker