Food and packaging materials often travel in the same shipment — the food itself needs a code, and the cartons, totes, or IBC containers used to ship it need a different one — and shippers frequently lump them together under one generic description. Edible nuts (NMFC 141770) and shipping containers (NMFC 40775) can, in theory, land anywhere across the full class 50 to 400 range depending on density. Confirming the code and density for the food and the packaging separately, before quoting, beats combining them under one commodity name.
What to watch for when classifying food and packaging
"Food" and "the container it ships in" are different codes
Edible nuts (NMFC 141770) and cooked/cured/dried/smoked meats or poultry (NMFC 134720) fall under food-specific codes that are entirely separate from shipping containers, totes, or IBC bins (NMFC 40775) or cartons and crates (NMFC 29785). If a shipment includes a meaningful amount of both food and packaging by weight or volume, declare them separately instead of folding the container's weight and volume into the food's commodity description.
How the food is processed changes its classification
The same meat can fall under different codes depending on whether it's fresh, frozen, or cooked/cured/dried/smoked (not frozen) — processed meats under NMFC 134720 are likewise density-tiered across the full class 50 to 400 range. Stating clearly whether a product is fresh, frozen, or processed directly affects classification accuracy, and may also affect temperature-control or declaration requirements.
Food byproducts like shells are easy to leave out
Shells — abalone, oyster, egg, nut shells, and similar food-processing byproducts (NMFC 175505) — fall under their own code. If a shipment includes a mix of the main product and this kind of byproduct, don't fold it into the main commodity description, or the calculated density won't match the actual shipment, which is a common trigger for a reweigh or reclass after pickup.
Example food and packaging NMFC codes
The codes below are verified against ShipMay's own NMFC database and are meant to illustrate classification logic — the exact code and class that applies to your shipment depends on your actual commodity description, measured density, and the carrier's own review:
| Commodity | NMFC Code | Typical Class Range |
|---|---|---|
| Edible nuts (walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts, pecans, etc.) | 141770 | 50 – 400 (13 density tiers) |
| Cooked/cured/dried/smoked meats or poultry (not frozen) | 134720 | 50 – 400 (13 density tiers) |
| Shells (abalone, oyster, egg, nut, etc.) | 175505 | 50 – 400 (13 density tiers) |
| Shipping containers (IBC totes, bins, shipping racks) | 40775 | 50 – 400 (13 density tiers) |
| Cartons, crates, boxes | 29785 | 50 – 400 (by density) |
How to find the code that actually applies to your shipment
Look up food and packaging separately: search the actual food item — nuts, cured meat, shells — in the NMFC Lookup tool and state whether it's fresh, frozen, or processed; confirm the packaging container's code separately rather than folding it into the food description; and flag any temperature control, shelf-life, or special handling requirement to the carrier up front. When in doubt, send ShipMay the commodity, weight, and dimensions — the final code and class are still subject to the carrier's own review.
Common mistakes
- Filing food and its packaging under one commodity name — they're different code families, and combining them throws off the calculated density.
- Not stating fresh vs. frozen vs. processed — the same ingredient can carry a completely different code and class depending on how it was processed.
- Leaving out food-processing byproducts — shells and similar byproducts have their own code and shouldn't be folded into the main commodity.
Related reading
- Free NMFC code lookup
- Freight class calculator
- LTL Reweigh and Reclass: Why Freight Bills Change After Pickup
- A complete guide to U.S. freight accessorial charges
- LTL freight quotes and multi-carrier rating
NMFC code guides for other common commodity categories: electronics, furniture and glassware, building materials and metal, auto parts.
Sources
- National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which develops and maintains the NMFC classification standard.
- The specific codes, descriptions, and class ranges listed above are verified against ShipMay's own NMFC database and are illustrative of classification logic only — they don't replace the carrier's own review at time of shipment.
