NMFC Class 50 — Raw Materials
Sand and gravel are extremely dense, always qualifying for freight class 50 — the cheapest and most efficient class.
Typical class: 50 · Density: 80–120 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 50 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Sand and gravel are fundamental raw materials for construction, industrial manufacturing, and agriculture. Construction-grade sand and gravel move from quarries and river operations to concrete plants, asphalt producers, and building material dealers in an almost continuous stream. Industrial sand — frac sand used in oil and gas well completion, specialty silica sand for glassmaking and foundry work — moves in large volumes along distinct supply chains. The aggregate industry is regional in nature, with most quarry output moving within a 50–100 mile radius due to the economics of hauling very heavy, low-value material.
Sand and gravel density is extreme — dry construction sand runs 100–115 lbs/cuft, and gravel is similar. This always qualifies for Class 50, the lowest freight class. But the more relevant constraint for aggregate is not freight class at all — it is the weight limit on roads, bridges, and truck axles. A standard dump truck or end-dump trailer holds 14–16 cubic yards of sand, which at 2,700 lbs per cubic yard is well over 40,000 lbs of payload. Aggregate haulers must know the weight restrictions on every route and bridge they use.
Equipment requirements are specific. Aggregate is not a dry van commodity — it requires dump trailers (end-dump, bottom-dump, or side-dump), pneumatic tanker trailers for industrial grade fine sand, or flatbed with bulk bags for specialty sands. Carriers without dump equipment cannot haul aggregate. Dump trailers require proper maintenance of the hydraulic lifting system, and end-dumps must never be raised on soft ground or slopes that risk tipping.
The practical operational concern with sand and gravel is the source material — different sand and gravel products have specific gradation requirements (particle size distribution), and contaminated or off-spec material can cause major problems at the receiving concrete plant or foundry. Carriers should make sure loads are covered in transit to prevent contamination. Rate context: aggregate freight rates are low per ton due to the commodity's low value, but high payload efficiency (40,000+ lbs per load) makes the math work for dedicated aggregate haulers. Frac sand moves in larger regional volumes at somewhat better rates.
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