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NMFC Codes for Furniture, Glass & Ceramics: Sofa, Mattress, Mirror, Tile

May 17, 2026 · ShipOnlines
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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

ItemTypical ClassNotes
Wood chairs (KD, boxed)Class 65–85KD = knockdown (flat-packed) = denser = lower class.
Wood chairs (assembled)Class 100–150Assembled wastes trailer space.
Wood tables / desks (KD)Class 70–110Pallet count and packaging matter.
Wood furniture, NOI (assembled)Class 100–175Dressers, armoires, large case goods.
Metal furniture (filing cabinets, racks)Class 60–85Dense metal — low class.
Office chairs (boxed)Class 92.5–125Plastic + foam = low density.
Sofas, loveseats (couches)Class 150–250Foam + fabric = very low density. Common rebill source.
Mattresses, boxedClass 110–175King/queen sizes lower density than twin.
Mattresses, in mattress bagsClass 175–250Bag adds bulk without weight.
Bookcases, shelving (assembled)Class 100–150Hollow construction.
Beds, headboards (KD)Class 70–110Flat-packed.

Common Glass & Ceramics NMFC Class Ranges

ItemTypical ClassNotes
Glass, plate or sheet (crated)Class 70–110Crating is mandatory — uncrated glass is refused or rebilled.
Mirror, framedClass 92.5–150Frame + glass = fragile + low density.
Glassware, bottles, jars (packed)Class 70–150Master cartons + dividers required.
Glass tabletops, mirrors (boxed)Class 100–175Often A-frame crated for safety.
Ceramic tile, palletizedClass 55–70Dense — among the cheapest to ship.
Porcelain / pottery (boxed)Class 65–110Packaging quality drives class.
Aquariums, fish tanks (empty)Class 100–250Large volume, fragile.
Bathroom fixtures (toilets, sinks)Class 70–110Heavy 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:

ShipOnlines auto-calculates class from density and flags fragile items for higher-grade carriers.

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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.

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