NMFC Class 125 — Household Goods
Bedding, pillows, and comforters are low-density products that typically ship at freight class 125–175.
Typical class: 125 · Density: 5–8 lbs/cu ft
Shipment Dimensions (inches)
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heaviest, most dense freight |
| 55 | 35–50 | Very dense freight |
| 60 | 30–35 | Dense freight |
| 65 | 22.5–30 | Moderately dense |
| 70 | 15–22.5 | Average density |
| 77.5 | 13.5–15 | Slightly below average |
| 85 | 12–13.5 | Below average density |
| 92.5 | 10.5–12 | Light freight |
| 100 | 9–10.5 | Light freight |
| 110 | 8–9 | Light, bulky freight |
| 125 | 7–8 | Bulky freight |
| 150 | 6–7 | Very bulky freight |
| 175 | 5–6 | Very light, bulky |
| 200 | 4–5 | Extremely light |
| 250 | 3–4 | Extremely light, high value |
| 300 | 2–3 | Low density, high handling |
| 400 | 1–2 | Very low density |
| 500 | 0–1 | Lowest density, highest cost |
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NMFC Class 125 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Bedding and pillow freight moves in large volumes through the home goods retail supply chain — Bed Bath & Beyond's collapse has redistributed volume to Amazon, Target, and specialty bedding brands, but the overall market for bedding products is substantial. Manufacturers like Pacific Coast Feather, Tempur-Sealy's bedding lines, and numerous private-label producers ship to distribution centers and directly to consumers. The e-commerce channel has actually improved bedding freight economics somewhat because compressed/vacuum-packed products achieve better density than traditional bulky packaging.
Freight class for bedding is Class 125–175. A bed pillow in retail packaging weighs 1–2 lbs and occupies 0.5–1 cubic feet — approximately 2–3 lbs/cuft, which is off the Class 200 end of the scale. Even a full comforter set weighing 5–7 lbs in retail packaging occupies 2–3 cubic feet at 2–3 lbs/cuft. Vacuum-packed bedding improves dramatically — a compressed queen comforter in a vacuum bag might achieve 8–10 lbs/cuft (Class 85–100), which is why compression packaging has become standard for premium bedding brands.
Cleanliness is the paramount handling concern with bedding products. Bedding goes directly in contact with human skin, and any contamination — odors, dirt, or physical soiling — makes the product unsalable and creates costly claims. Trailers hauling bedding must be spotlessly clean and free of any odors from previous loads. Some bedding manufacturers specify food-grade trailer cleanliness standards. Stretch wrap over the top of bedding pallets provides a moisture barrier and prevents contamination from above during loading operations.
The practical tip: verify whether bedding products are compressed or standard packaging before confirming equipment. A full trailer of uncompressed bulky bedding might weigh only 8,000–12,000 lbs despite filling the trailer from floor to ceiling — this is terrible payload utilization. Compressed vacuum-packed bedding loads are much more economical for carriers. Rate context: uncompressed bedding is among the worst-paying truckload freight due to light payload weight. LTL bedding at Class 125–175 pays better per hundredweight but the total revenue per load is still limited.
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