NMFC Class 100 — Furniture
Sofas typically ship as freight class 100–125 depending on size and density. A standard 3-seat sofa weighing 150–200 lbs often calculates to 8–10 lbs/cuft, placing it in class 100.
Typical class: 100 · Density: 8–12 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 100 — packaging, handling, and freight class details
Sofas and couches move in large volumes through both retail supply chains and direct-to-consumer e-commerce channels. Furniture manufacturers shipping from factories in North Carolina, Mississippi, and California account for a significant portion of this freight, alongside importers receiving containers from Vietnam and China. A typical truckload of sofas might represent 15–20 units depending on size, with sectionals sometimes requiring a full trailer for just 8–10 pieces due to their footprint.
Most sofas move via dry van. Flatbed is unsuitable because upholstered pieces need protection from weather and road debris. LTL carriers handle individual sofa shipments frequently, though the low density relative to trailer space makes sofas one of the less efficient LTL commodities from a carrier profitability standpoint. Class 100 is the benchmark, but a large sectional can push into Class 125 once you account for the full dimensional footprint.
Loading requires moving blankets on all contact surfaces — arms, cushions, and feet are the first things to get damaged in transit. If stacking is necessary, only identical pieces should be stacked, and no more than two high. Plastic film wrap over the moving blankets adds a moisture barrier and keeps blankets from sliding. Always load sofas against the front wall of the trailer and strap across the deck rather than over the piece itself to avoid deforming the frame.
Rate-wise, furniture is not top-dollar freight for carriers. Class 100 pays reasonably for LTL but truckload furniture moves at commodity rates — typically $1.80–$2.40 per mile in the current market. The upside is that furniture lanes are predictable and loads are generally available. Watch for tight delivery windows on retail store deliveries and residential drops, which often add time to the stop.
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