NMFC Class 55 covers freight with a density between 35 and 50 pounds per cubic foot — still among the densest commodities shipped via LTL, and accordingly among the least expensive to move on a per-hundredweight basis. Class 55 commodities include finished building materials like hardwood flooring planks, ceramic tile, and brick pavers, as well as industrial goods such as small metal castings and boxed steel hardware. These items share the characteristic of being heavy enough relative to their size that carriers can load a trailer to its weight limit without wasting much cube space. The NMFC rates Class 55 freight just above Class 50 because the density, while still high, does not consistently reach the 50 lb/cu ft threshold. Handling remains straightforward — most Class 55 freight arrives in sturdy, stackable packages or on pallets — and liability risk is limited since individual item values are low to moderate. For shippers in the building materials or construction supply trades, understanding Class 55 can make a meaningful difference in freight spend. A pallet of ceramic tile measured and weighed accurately will consistently land in Class 55; attempting to claim Class 50 without meeting the density threshold invites re-classification and unexpected charges. Accurate measurement and proper pallet configuration are the two most effective levers for holding Class 55 rates.
Class 55 freight is heavy and typically arrives on pallets that require forklift handling. Individual cartons can be very dense, so floor-loaded arrangements are uncommon.
Stowability: At 35–50 lbs/cu ft, these shipments fill trailers efficiently by weight with modest cube consumption, making them attractive freight for carriers and easy to co-load with similarly dense goods.
Tile and flooring materials are moderately susceptible to edge chipping and breakage; adequate pallet wrapping and edge protection lowers claim frequency. Overall commodity value is moderate.
Class 55 applies to freight with a density between 35 and 50 pounds per cubic foot. Above 50 lbs/cu ft, freight qualifies for Class 50; below 35 lbs/cu ft, it moves to Class 60.
Hardwood flooring commonly falls in Class 55 when tightly palletized, but the actual class depends on the measured density of the shipment. Loosely stacked or oversized pallets with significant air space may classify higher.
The rate difference is small — both are at the low end of the freight class scale — but Class 50 freight is denser and commands a slightly lower rate per hundredweight. Carriers audit dense shipments carefully, so accurate density calculations matter.
Pack tightly to eliminate air space inside cartons, stack full pallets to maximize density, and measure the actual pallet dimensions (not the nominal dimensions of the product). Shrink-wrapping keeps the load compact and gives inspectors a clearly defined footprint to measure.
Verified 2026-05-26.